Black Hawk (Amtrak train): Difference between revisions
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{{see also|Land O'Corn}} |
{{see also|Land O'Corn}} |
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[[File:Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975.jpg|thumb|alt= Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975|Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975]] |
[[File:Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975.jpg|thumb|alt= Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975|Amtrak Black Hawk in Hillside, July 1975]] |
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Prior to [[Amtrak]], the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] operated the ''[[Land O'Corn]]'' between Chicago and [[Waterloo, Iowa|Waterloo]], Iowa, discontinuing it in 1967. The first ''Black Hawk'' began running on February 13, 1974, using [[Budd Rail Diesel Car]]s (RDCs). Conventional diesel locomotives and coaches replaced the RDCs after February 2, 1976.<ref>Amtrak System Adds Three New Routes ''[[Amtrak News]]'' April 15, 1974 page 5</ref><ref>Superior Passenger Service Key to Boosting 1975 Ridership ''Amtrak News'' January 1, 1975 page 2</ref> Equipment varied, including ex-[[Chicago and North Western Transportation Company|Chicago & North Western]] [[gallery cars]], dome cars, boat-tailed observation cars, full diners, lunch counter diners and ex-ATSF [[Hi-Level]] Coaches. Further, power for the ''Black Hawk'' also varied on a regular basis with [[GE P30CH]]s, [[EMD SDP40F]]s, [[EMD F40PH]]s and the occasional Illinois Central Gulf "Geep" filling in for ailing power (an ICG [[EMD GP10]] towed the last RDC consist into Chicago in 1976). [[Amfleet]] coaches arrived in November 1976. The ''Black Hawk'' ceased on September 30, 1981, after Illinois reduced its appropriations for passenger service.<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|248; 251}} |
Prior to [[Amtrak]], the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] operated the ''[[Land O'Corn]]'' between Chicago and [[Waterloo, Iowa|Waterloo]], Iowa, discontinuing it in 1967. The first ''Black Hawk'' began running on February 13, 1974, using [[Budd Rail Diesel Car]]s (RDCs). Conventional diesel locomotives and coaches replaced the RDCs after February 2, 1976.<ref>Amtrak System Adds Three New Routes ''[[Amtrak News]]'' April 15, 1974 page 5</ref><ref>Superior Passenger Service Key to Boosting 1975 Ridership ''Amtrak News'' January 1, 1975 page 2</ref> Equipment varied, including ex-[[Chicago and North Western Transportation Company|Chicago & North Western]] [[gallery cars]], dome cars, boat-tailed observation cars, full diners, lunch counter diners and ex-ATSF [[Hi-Level]] Coaches. Further, power for the ''Black Hawk'' also varied on a regular basis with [[GE P30CH]]s, [[EMD SDP40F]]s, [[EMD F40PH]]s and the occasional Illinois Central Gulf "Geep" filling in for ailing motive power (an ICG [[EMD GP10]] towed the last RDC consist into Chicago in 1976). [[Amfleet]] coaches arrived in November 1976. The ''Black Hawk'' ceased on September 30, 1981, after Illinois reduced its appropriations for passenger service.<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|248; 251}} |
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Several Rockford based groups sponsored special charter trips to Chicago events such as [[Chicago Bears]], [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[Chicago White Sox]] games as well as performances of "The [[Ice Capades]]" on the ''Black Hawk''. On these trips, the consists could swell to as many as seven to ten cars. During the RDC days, the usual consist consisted of three RDCs. During the mid-to-late 1970s the consist usually included three cars, including a food service car of one type or another. During a good part of the summer of 1977, the ''Black Hawk'' ran with a full dining car and dome coaches. |
Several Rockford based groups sponsored special charter trips to Chicago events such as [[Chicago Bears]], [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[Chicago White Sox]] games as well as performances of "The [[Ice Capades]]" on the ''Black Hawk''. On these trips, the consists could swell to as many as seven to ten cars. During the RDC days, the usual consist consisted of three RDCs. During the mid-to-late 1970s the consist usually included three cars, including a food service car of one type or another. During a good part of the summer of 1977, the ''Black Hawk'' ran with a full dining car and dome coaches. |
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Revision as of 12:32, 7 August 2022
 The Black Hawk at Dubuque in 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Discontinued | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Illinois, Iowa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Land O'Corn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First service | February 13, 1974 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last service | September 30, 1981 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former operator(s) | Amtrak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini | Chicago, Illinois Dubuque, Iowa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stops | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance travelled | 182 miles (293 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average journey time | 4 hours 10 minutes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service frequency | Daily | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train number(s) | 370-372 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class(es) | Unreserved coach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catering facilities | On-board cafe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track owner(s) | Chicago Central (CN) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Black Hawk is a planned Amtrak intercity rail route between Chicago, Illinois, and Dubuque, Iowa via Rockford, Illinois. Service between Chicago and Rockford was planned to begin in 2015, but was put on hold by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. Service to Dubuque was to open at a later date. The service was later funded in 2019 with the support of Governor J.B. Pritzker. Once train service begins, the new service will operate under the Illinois Service umbrella.
Amtrak previously operated the Black Hawk from 1974 to 1981 on the Illinois Central route, now the Canadian National's Chicago Central/Iowa Zone. From 2010 to 2014 plans called for the restored route to follow the same corridor; however, the state government could not come to an agreement with the railroad. Instead, the route will follow Metra's Milwaukee District / West Line from Union Station to Big Timber Road, then the Union Pacific Railroad to Rockford.
History
Previous operation
Prior to Amtrak, the Illinois Central Railroad operated the Land O'Corn between Chicago and Waterloo, Iowa, discontinuing it in 1967. The first Black Hawk began running on February 13, 1974, using Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs). Conventional diesel locomotives and coaches replaced the RDCs after February 2, 1976.[1][2] Equipment varied, including ex-Chicago & North Western gallery cars, dome cars, boat-tailed observation cars, full diners, lunch counter diners and ex-ATSF Hi-Level Coaches. Further, power for the Black Hawk also varied on a regular basis with GE P30CHs, EMD SDP40Fs, EMD F40PHs and the occasional Illinois Central Gulf "Geep" filling in for ailing motive power (an ICG EMD GP10 towed the last RDC consist into Chicago in 1976). Amfleet coaches arrived in November 1976. The Black Hawk ceased on September 30, 1981, after Illinois reduced its appropriations for passenger service.[3]: 248, 251
Several Rockford based groups sponsored special charter trips to Chicago events such as Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox games as well as performances of "The Ice Capades" on the Black Hawk. On these trips, the consists could swell to as many as seven to ten cars. During the RDC days, the usual consist consisted of three RDCs. During the mid-to-late 1970s the consist usually included three cars, including a food service car of one type or another. During a good part of the summer of 1977, the Black Hawk ran with a full dining car and dome coaches.
The route used the former Illinois Central Railroad route (then part of the Illinois Central Gulf) between Chicago's Union Station and Bridgeport and the Freeport Subdivision west of Bridgeport.[4]: 44
Restoration
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail | ||||
| Status | Proposed | ||||
| Locale | Illinois, Iowa | ||||
| Predecessor | Black Hawk | ||||
| First service | TBA | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | Chicago, Illinois Rockford, Illinois (initially) Dubuque, Iowa (later) | ||||
| Stops | 3 (initially) 7 (later) | ||||
| Service frequency | Once daily (initially) Twice daily (later) | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | ||||
| Operating speed | 59 miles per hour (95 km/h) (initially) 79 miles per hour (127 km/h) (later) | ||||
| Track owner(s) | METX, UP, CN (later) | ||||
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In 2007, Amtrak, at the state of Illinois' request, conducted a feasibility study to reinstate the Black Hawk route to Rockford and Dubuque. Initial capital costs ranged from $32 million to $55 million, depending on the route. Once in operation, the service would require roughly $5 million a year in subsidies from the state.[5]
On December 10, 2010, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that service would begin in 2014. The route would use the trackage of the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad, itself owned by the Canadian National Railway.[6] This would have been the only Illinois Service train not running along a Metra line.
IDOT confirmed the return of the "Black Hawk" name in 2012.[7]
The equipment to be used on the route was to be the Next Generation Bi-Level Passenger Rail Car built by Nippon Sharyo at a new plant in Rochelle, Illinois, which is located just 24 miles (39 km) south of a portion of the proposed route.[8] However one of the first cars manufactured failed a critical safety test, the contract was cancelled and the plant never fully opened.[9] The equipment will instead be single level Siemens Venture cars built at its plant in Sacramento, California, similar to cars supplied to Brightline for its services in Florida.
In April 2014, Governor Pat Quinn announced a $223 million investment to begin service as far as Rockford by 2015. After two years of negotiations, IDOT had been unable to reach a deal with Canadian National to use their lines. Instead, the train would take Metra's Milwaukee District / West Line and Union Pacific tracks through Elgin, Huntley, and Belvidere before terminating in Rockford. This would require construction of a connecting track between the two lines near Big Timber Road station. IDOT planned to continue working with the CN to eventually extend the route to Dubuque.[10]
In February 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner announced that development of the route would be put on hold until further notice, as the state did not have sufficient funds to continue the project. $3 million had been spent out of the $223 million plan. Huntley, IL, had spent over $50,000 to build a station platform.[11]
Funding secured
In July 2019, the state legislature passed a new transportation bill supported by Governor J. B. Pritzker, in which $275 million was appropriated to begin service to Rockford.[12] IDOT hired WSP as the project manager in September 2020, with the intent to begin engineering and environmental analysis.[13]
In its 2020–2025 service plan, Amtrak forecasts that the Chicago–Rockford route will begin in fiscal year 2025 and attract 136,900 riders that year.[14]
In 2021, shortly after president Joe Biden entered office, Amtrak included two daily trains to Rockford in its 15-year expansion vision. The document lists a total trip time of 1 hour 51 minutes and shows an additional stop at Roselle station.[15]
In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $4 billion for public transportation in Illinois.[16] While initial Black Hawk service had already been funded, local State Senator Steve Stadelman said, "maybe with this additional funding we can speed up the project."[17]
References
- ^ Amtrak System Adds Three New Routes Amtrak News April 15, 1974 page 5
- ^ Superior Passenger Service Key to Boosting 1975 Ridership Amtrak News January 1, 1975 page 2
- ^ Sanders, Craig (2006). Amtrak in the Heartland. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34705-3.
- ^ Solomon, Brian (2004). Amtrak. Saint Paul, Minnesota: MBI. ISBN 978-0-7603-1765-5.
- ^ "Amtrak-Illinois DOT Feasibility Study Determines Most Direct Route Best for Service to Rockford, Northwestern Illinois and Dubuque, Iowa". National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Press release). Amtrak. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ Weskerna, Nicole (11 December 2010). "Amtrak will roll through Genoa". Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ Sweeny, Chuck (18 May 2012). "Amtrak route for area on target for late 2014, early 2015". Rockford Register-Star. Rockford, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 24 Jun 2012.
- ^ Leaf, Brian. "Rochelle's Nippon Sharyo train car plant lands $352 mil contract". Rockford Register-Star. Rockford, Illinois: GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 29 Nov 2012.
- ^ Bomkamp, Samantha. "Rochelle rail-car plant loses $352 million Amtrak contract to California". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
- ^ "Governor Quinn Announces $223 Million to Restore Chicago to Rockford Amtrak Service". Lawndale News. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Plan for Amtrak service from Chicago to Rockford on hold". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ "Rail group celebrates 'big win' for Amtrak line from QC to Chicago". WQAD.com. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
- ^ DeCoaster, Ken (24 September 2020). "Stadelman: Passenger rail service to Rockford gains traction". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
- ^ "Amtrak Five-Year Service Line Plans: Fiscal Years 2020-2025" (PDF). Amtrak. p. 71, 151. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "Amtrak's Vision for Improving Transportation Across America" (PDF). Amtrak. June 2021. p. 47,49,50. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Price, Shepard (9 November 2021). "New infrastructure bill could help Amtrak expand". Alton Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- ^ Scheuermann, Tyler (8 November 2021). "Stateline leaders hope infrastructure funds build Amtrak rail from Rockford to Chicago". WREX. Retrieved 12 November 2021.