
New Amtrak Service In Missouri: Dream Today, Reality Tomorrow?
The Federal Railroad Administration recently released its vision for expanded Amtrak service on the railroad's long-distance network. Three of the proposed long-distance routes would serve Missouri.
Current Amtrak Service in Missouri
Missouri is currently served by two long-distance trains: the Texas Eagle, which stops in St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, and Arcadia, and the Southwest Chief, which stops in Kansas City and LaPlata.
Amtrak also provides Missouri service between St. Louis and Kansas City through the Missouri River Runner / Lincoln Service trains. These trains stop in Independence, Lee's Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington, and Kirkwood. One train runs daily between Kansas City and Chicago, and one runs between St. Louis and Chicago.
Amtrak Lincoln Service provides service between Chicago and St. Louis four times daily.
Proposed Amtrak Service In Missouri
The Federal Railroad Administration's proposed trains through Missouri include service between Phoenix and Minneapolis-St. Paul, which will stop in Kansas City and could include a new station stop in St. Joseph, Missouri's sixth-largest city.
A route between San Antonio and Minneapolis-St. Paul also stops in Kansas City, and new potential station stops in Richmond and Chillicothe.
Finally, the FRA's proposed Dallas Fort Worth—New York City service would stop in St. Louis and restore a station stop in Springfield. Additionally, Joplin and Rolla could see service.
Improved Service in Missouri and Service To More Places
These long-distance trains will establish or improve transportation links between Missouri stops: Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas; Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines, Iowa. The new services will also provide easier access to Eastern connections through Central Illinois. There is also potential to develop a state-supported train through Missouri that follows the Midwest/Missouri portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth—New York City service.
Will It Ever Be Reality?
At this point, all of this is a vision. The studies could take a decade. Then, perhaps, another decade to obtain the equipment, build any new infrastructure, and negotiate with the freight railroads to run the service on their tracks. It's big-picture stuff. Additionally, the political climate can determine how much money Amtrak receives from the federal government, so there's no guarantee that new long-distance services will ever come online.
Visit the Missourians for Responsible Transportation website to learn more about potential new trains that could serve Missouri. The site explains all the possible new services and benefits for Missourians.
Look At What I Saw Out The Window Between Warrensburg and Chicago
Gallery Credit: Rob Creighton
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