Amtrak to test 110 mph in Illinois

With Governor Quinn onboard, Amtrak will see how traveling 110 mph works out between Chicago and St. Louis today. High speed train travel is always talked about, but logistically it may be difficult to do in this country, not because the trains and the tracks can't handle the speed, but there are so many stops. Maybe that makes no difference, I'm just not sure why.

Today's speed test will only cover the 15 miles between Dwight and Pontiac which is ironic, at least to me, since I-55 through Dwight has long been a speed trap. I received a ticket there along with many others. So I smile when I think of a train speeding out of Dwight. 

In any event, it would be fantastic to have more trains running in the midwest and west with easy access and direct routes. Then if the trains went fast, all the better. If you live on the east coast train travel is direct and easy, out here it's more indirect. I've read ridership is up on Amtrak which makes sense when you see how exhausting air travel has become. 

Comments

[Sharon Philp]

If this works, that would be great. High-speed trains would be a boon. Train travel is truly indirect. I was looking to see what options were to take Amtrak to California to visit family, and the most direct route was more expensive than if I went down to Texas--through DuQuoin, Illinois, if I remember correctly.

[Brad]

Yes, but the Chicago to Oakland trip is beautiful, have never taken it in the Fall. Does require a sleeper, but worth the effort.

[Diane Meyer]

Chicago to Oakland? Oakland California? How come Oakland gets a route?

[Dan at Necessary Roughness]

Ohio considered high-speed rail but thankfully rejected it. Top speeds would be touted by its proponents, but one look at the overall route time showed its inefficiency.

http://www.necessaryroughness.org/2010/09/efo-2010-conference-day-two/

If trains could actually get up to 110 mph, it might actually be worth something something to riders.