From: 737ochs@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.railroad
Subject: Re: Michigan applies for High Speed...
Date: 15 Oct 92 01:36:14 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University

In article <1992Oct14.234231.1@uwovax.uwo.ca>, baer@uwovax.uwo.ca writes:
> In article <16088@umd5.umd.edu>, gurd@next04wor.wam.umd.edu (Daffy Duck) writes:
>> The following article also appeared in the October 5, 1992 edition of  
>> Passenger Transport.  Copyright, 1992 American Public Transit Association.
>> 
>> "Michigan Files for High Speed Rail Corridor Designation"
>> 
>>    DEARBORN, MICH. -- High speed rail travel in Michigan received a hefty  
>> boost recently when the Michigan DOT filed an application with the U.S.  
>> DOT requesting the rail corridor between Detroit and Michigan be  
>> designated as a high speed rail corridor.  It is the first step in the  
>> eventual development of trains going in excess of 150mph along the route.
> [... stuff deleted]
>>    "If selected as a high speed corridor, Michigan will continue to be in  
>> the vanguard of rail transportation," said Rep. Dingell.  "It will be a  
>> major advance for transportation in Michigan.
>>    "Ridership on the Detroit-Chicago route has seen tremendous growth as  
>> more people turn to rail as a preferred means of transportation.  Not only  
>> will this boost the state economy, but it will also help reduce congestion  
>> on highways and airports."
>>     Michigan has invested more than $135 million in improvements along the  
>> Detroit-Chicago corridor, nearly all in grade crossings, equipment,  
>> passing track, and terminal upgrading through the combined effors of  
>> Michigan DOT, Conrail, and Amtrak.
>>    If the route is approved as a high-speed rail corridor, Michigan DOT,  
>> working with the U.S. DOT, Amtrak, and Conrail, will make required  
>> improvements to raise train speed limits in increments over various  
>> sections.  The current maximum spped along the Detroit-Chicago route is  
>> 79mph.
> 
> Gee, funny thing.  The Amtrak line (I believe Amtrak took it over from
> Conrail, but I could be wrong) from Detroit to Chicago used to be double
> track.  It runs through Ann Arbor, MI. 
>  I was surprised when they removed the 2nd track about 3-4 years 
> ago (this track appeared to be in reasonably good condition).
> Why would they do this if they want high-speed rail travel??  I suppose
> more passing tracks will help, but why on earth didn't they leave the
> double tracks in?
>>    Amtrak serves about 400,000 Michigan travelers in 13 communities  
>> annually.

Actually, Amtrak may have removed a section by Ann Arbor, but the bulk of
the single tracking was done in NYC days in the late 50's early 60's
I have a 1972 PC timetable, and most of the line is single track with some
long (some 4 miles in length) passing sidings, which have since been
shortened. Yes, Amtrak did acquire the line from Conrail, they didn't wan't it,
but are forced to serve local industries between Kalamazoo and Porter. Amtrak
only ownes theline from Kalamazoo to Porter. At Assylum switch (right in front
of me here at Western Michigan University) is where it begins Conrail owner-
ship. Amtrak has put back in some passing sidings though, they put a 1.5 mile
one in just north east of Dowagiac, and another 1.5 mile down by Buchanan, MI

Hope this clears things up some...
Fred Ochs