Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
I am looking for brainstorming/suggestions on how to introduce/re-introduce Amtrak to the largest metro areas that do not have service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_major_cities_in_U.S._lacking_Amtrak_service#cite_note-4
Amtrak-less markets with 500,000 or more people:
Phoenix:
Is a return to the old route practical? How about a separate train from LAX to Phoenix?
Las Vegas:
I'm guessing Nevada is full speed ahead for Xpress West so little chance for state funding here. I guess Amtrak could do through cars between SLC and LAX connecting to the CZ but that would probably be really expensive and lose way too much money.
Columbus:
A 3-C will never happen with Kasich as governor. I would hope any sane governor would start it. AAO proposed CHI-Ft. Wayne/Columbus/PGH. If they could extend it to PHL/NYP it would IMHO be a great new route.
Nashville:
You could probably go in several directions:
a) to IND/CHI via Louisville (which would take care of Louisville as well),
b) to ATL,
c) to Va/WAS via Knoxville? (WoodyInNYC suggested it: http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/66173-fiscally-constrained-system-vision/?p=632976, http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/amtrak-linethrough-areagets-new-look,13181
d) to Memphis?
Maybe you can have a CHI-ATL train through Nashville. But I'm not aware of any practical routes.
Louisville:
You could go to IND/CHI or to CIN. Perhaps you can combine with Nashville. I would say the two cities and states (KY/TN) should work together to get service. We are talking about almost 3 million new potential Amtrak customers between the two markets. You would think KY and TN would want better service than they have now but you would also think OH would too.
Tulsa:
No idea. Extend the Heartland Flyer?
Knoxville:
See links in the Nashville section.
Allentown:
Don't think anything to PHL is likely but NYP might be.
Baton Rouge:
They are studying the link to NOL.
McAllen, TX:
Honestly I had never heard of it until today. The only possibilities I could guess would be a state supported to HOU and/or SAS.
Dayton, OH:
Would be part of any 3-C route when there is a governor who would support it.
Akron, OH:
Old Broadway route. Not even AAO is proposing any service there.
Colorado Springs:
No idea.
Boise:
Bringing back the Pioneer?
Wichita:
Extending the Heartland Flyer to KCY or Newton which would allow a connection to the SWC.
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2013/05/wichitas-amtrak-supporters-plan.html
Madison:
Probably would have to be a state supported to either CHI or Milwaukee. Good luck with Walker in charge.
Ogden:
There is Front Runner to SLC. Any Ogden service would probably would be a part of a Pioneer.
Des Moines:
The wiki says it's part of a CHI to Omaha route but the link appears dead.
Augusta, GA:
No idea.
Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA:
NJT is working on the Lackawanna Cutoff.
Youngstown, OH:
AAO proposals between CLE and PGH.
Chattanooga, TN:
See links in the Nashville section.
Tri-Cities, TN:
See links in the Nashville section.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_major_cities_in_U.S._lacking_Amtrak_service#cite_note-4
Amtrak-less markets with 500,000 or more people:
Phoenix:
Is a return to the old route practical? How about a separate train from LAX to Phoenix?
Las Vegas:
I'm guessing Nevada is full speed ahead for Xpress West so little chance for state funding here. I guess Amtrak could do through cars between SLC and LAX connecting to the CZ but that would probably be really expensive and lose way too much money.
Columbus:
A 3-C will never happen with Kasich as governor. I would hope any sane governor would start it. AAO proposed CHI-Ft. Wayne/Columbus/PGH. If they could extend it to PHL/NYP it would IMHO be a great new route.
Nashville:
You could probably go in several directions:
a) to IND/CHI via Louisville (which would take care of Louisville as well),
b) to ATL,
c) to Va/WAS via Knoxville? (WoodyInNYC suggested it: http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/66173-fiscally-constrained-system-vision/?p=632976, http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/amtrak-linethrough-areagets-new-look,13181
d) to Memphis?
Maybe you can have a CHI-ATL train through Nashville. But I'm not aware of any practical routes.
Louisville:
You could go to IND/CHI or to CIN. Perhaps you can combine with Nashville. I would say the two cities and states (KY/TN) should work together to get service. We are talking about almost 3 million new potential Amtrak customers between the two markets. You would think KY and TN would want better service than they have now but you would also think OH would too.
Tulsa:
No idea. Extend the Heartland Flyer?
Knoxville:
See links in the Nashville section.
Allentown:
Don't think anything to PHL is likely but NYP might be.
Baton Rouge:
They are studying the link to NOL.
McAllen, TX:
Honestly I had never heard of it until today. The only possibilities I could guess would be a state supported to HOU and/or SAS.
Dayton, OH:
Would be part of any 3-C route when there is a governor who would support it.
Akron, OH:
Old Broadway route. Not even AAO is proposing any service there.
Colorado Springs:
No idea.
Boise:
Bringing back the Pioneer?
Wichita:
Extending the Heartland Flyer to KCY or Newton which would allow a connection to the SWC.
http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/blog/2013/05/wichitas-amtrak-supporters-plan.html
Madison:
Probably would have to be a state supported to either CHI or Milwaukee. Good luck with Walker in charge.
Ogden:
There is Front Runner to SLC. Any Ogden service would probably would be a part of a Pioneer.
Des Moines:
The wiki says it's part of a CHI to Omaha route but the link appears dead.
Augusta, GA:
No idea.
Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA:
NJT is working on the Lackawanna Cutoff.
Youngstown, OH:
AAO proposals between CLE and PGH.
Chattanooga, TN:
See links in the Nashville section.
Tri-Cities, TN:
See links in the Nashville section.