Changes to Amtrak Midwest and additional Wolverine RT

[IndyLions]

Back on topic, I decided the best way to try to get definitive answers to our questions regarding Amtrak Michigan Services was to ask the right people. I sent an email to the Michigan DOT executive in charge of rail.

He was kind enough to answer my polite inquiry, on a weekend no less!

Here’s what he said:

• Michigan Services will be returning to a full schedule on September 7.
• Deployment of the new Siemens train sets is less certain. They will be deployed to the Wolverine trains first, and the first sets are anticipated for the fall
• In regards to the timetable, we continue to work with Amtrak to make a timetable schedule available. This will be made easier once we return to full service, but that should allow us to have a more defined schedule moving forward.

 

[user 6862]

Back on topic, I decided the best way to try to get definitive answers to our questions regarding Amtrak Michigan Services was to ask the right people. I sent an email to the Michigan DOT executive in charge of rail.

He was kind enough to answer my polite inquiry, on a weekend no less!

Here’s what he said:

• Michigan Services will be returning to a full schedule on September 7.
• Deployment of the new Siemens train sets is less certain. They will be deployed to the Wolverine trains first, and the first sets are anticipated for the fall
• In regards to the timetable, we continue to work with Amtrak to make a timetable schedule available. This will be made easier once we return to full service, but that should allow us to have a more defined schedule moving forward.

Thank you for knowing where and taking the trouble to get that info.

 

[PerRock]

I've been keeping on the MDOT social media team about when the new Siemens cars will be coming out. I'm thinking it would be a fun little trip to Chicago to get on the first run of them.

peter

 

[thully]

Interesting. The reservation system showed the third train coming back on September 7 a few months ago, but as of now it doesn’t show until January 1. Wonder why it hasn’t been updated - perhaps they’re still finalizing the schedule? In any case, that’s good news, but I can’t help but think they should have started a few days earlier for Labor Day weekend. I actually was thinking of a trip then, and it would be nice to have the midday trains back…

 

[Josh M]

September 7th? Excellent. Hopefully nothing interferes with that! I'm booked on the early train on November 11th out of Royal Oak, and I've been hoping they'd reinstate the mid-day train before then so I can switch. As much as I enjoy the ride, being at the station before 6 A.M. is just painful.

 

[thully]

Additional confirmation of normal Wolverine service returning by September 7th.

 

[Eric S]

I might have a Wolverine trip to make in October so I'll be glad when those trips show up as bookable.

 

[wwchi]

I would REALLY like my 352 back (mid day CHI-NBU)!

 

[thully]

I would REALLY like my 352 back (mid day CHI-NBU)!

352 is actually running now, but is going away on July 19th until September 7th. Guessing that going from one round trip to two, it is operationally easier to run a morning and evening departure from both endpoints than one of those + a mid-day. Hence we gain 350, 354, and 355 and lose 352 for the time being - which is good for a lot of people (including anyone who wants to connect from LD trains), but not ideal for some (as in your case).

As a side. I actually want to do a trip to NBU myself from ARB. The schedule hasn’t been exactly conducive to that (351 - the only westbound train - leaves at 7:15am and doesn’t even stop in NBU, necessitating a train change in BTL). With 355 and 350 combing back online, I may do 355 after work for a long weekend and return on 350, though I would really like to have 353 as an earlier departure option.

 

[wwchi]

yes I did know 352 is still there but at the moment I am not traveling weekly on it...I WILL be more often though starting in August so my August trip has now had to move to the 364 into NBU, several hours later, and with the delays the Michigan trains seem to keep having lately, that's no fun...oh well. Hopefully it will be back in the fall not January!

 

[tim49424]

yes I did know 352 is still there but at the moment I am not traveling weekly on it.

Are you on 371 again for your weekly trips?

 

[wwchi]

hey Tim, no, not really - just here and there...since COVID we've mostly stayed in Michigan with occasional trips into the city - sometimes driving, sometimes train. But being in a beach town (in MI) in summer is an easy choice! LOL!

 

[tim49424]

hey Tim, no, not really - just here and there...since COVID we've mostly stayed in Michigan with occasional trips into the city - sometimes driving, sometimes train. But being in a beach town (in MI) in summer is an easy choice! LOL!

For some, it's an easy choice......for me, I want to get out of dodge. That's scheduled to happen on August 20, first time since a year ago February when I scheduled a trip for my birthday and the present I gave myself was spending that quality time with our mutual friend. I'm hoping to see him again, but might not because I hear he's on medical leave due to a shoulder injury and no clue when he's coming back. Time to meet up with him on the train is getting very limited since he is planning on retiring in October. He does get up here on occasion to meet up with the station attendant and his wife and I told him to call me whenever he planned that.

 

[wwchi]

well if you DO see him please tell him I said hello - even my parents who rode with him years ago have asked about him! LOL!

 

[tim49424]

well if you DO see him please tell him I said hello - even my parents who rode with him years ago have asked about him! LOL!

You can bank on that.

 

[thully]

Official confirmation from MDOT of full service restoration on September 7th.

Still not showing up for reservation, but I figure that will happen shortly.

 

[wwchi]

NEWS! NEWS - Additional Detroit/Pontiac-Chicago Amtrak Wolverine round-trip trains return in July and September

 

[thully]

All the trains are now showing up for reservation - it seems the schedules are changing slightly to add time. My 353 departure from ARB for the Gathering is now 39 minutes earlier, with arrival only 18 minutes earlier - though for some reason this only shows on the reservation system and not yet my e-ticket. Guessing this must be to account for NS’s recent woes…

 

[neroden]

Back on topic, I decided the best way to try to get definitive answers to our questions regarding Amtrak Michigan Services was to ask the right people. I sent an email to the Michigan DOT executive in charge of rail.

He was kind enough to answer my polite inquiry, on a weekend no less!

Here’s what he said:

• Michigan Services will be returning to a full schedule on September 7.
• Deployment of the new Siemens train sets is less certain. They will be deployed to the Wolverine trains first, and the first sets are anticipated for the fall
• In regards to the timetable, we continue to work with Amtrak to make a timetable schedule available. This will be made easier once we return to full service, but that should allow us to have a more defined schedule moving forward.

Good answer! I'm glad MDOT is on their case about the timetable. I know we as riders pay for Amtrak too, but they're more likely to listen to a state DOT.

 

[NES28]

Good answer! I'm glad MDOT is on their case about the timetable. I know we as riders pay for Amtrak too, but they're more likely to listen to a state DOT.

Absolutely. Under the "State-supported services" construct the the state DOTs are the customers. They call the shots regarding what service is operated and what fares are charged.

 

[IndyLions]

Because @Bob Dylan wants to go to Canada to ride VIA.

He's not the only one.

Big news north of the border - or south if you are talking Detroit

https://www.freep.com/story/news/lo...icans-can-enter-canada-mid-august/7987755002/