AMTRAK ROUTINGS IN CHICAGO AREA

At one time, intercity passenger trains terminated at 6 different stations in downtown Chicago. Amtrak was formed in 1971, and in 1972 Amtrak achieved consolidation of all of its trains into Union Station. Amtrak trains presently serve Chicago over 8 different routes, identified in the descriptions by former railroad names.

AMTRAK ONLINE RAILFAN TIMETABLE

Included are lists of stations, crossings and junctions, mileposts, number of tracks, and signal systems.

Also included are radio frequencies for scanners. Within Union Station, and south to 21st Street Tower, Amtrak's frequency is 160.305 (AAR Channel 13).

NEW YORK CENTRAL

(Used by Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at Porter, IN, using trackage now owned by Norfolk Southern.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL

(Used by Detroit trains, and Blue Water)

Route uses "New York Central" route between Chicago and Porter IN, and Amtrak owned route northeast of Porter through Kalamazoo, MI.

PERE MARQUETTE

(Used by Pere Marquette)

Route uses "New York Central" route between Chicago and Porter IN, and CSX former "Pere Marquette" route northeast of Porter to Grand Rapids, MI.

MONON ROUTE

(Used by Cardinal and Hoosier State)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at Dyer, IN, involving several different railroads.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL

(Used by City of New Orleans and Illini)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at University Park via the Illinois Central main line.

GULF MOBILE AND OHIO

(Used by St. Louis trains)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at Joliet, and uses the same Illinois Central trackage as used by Metra's Heritage Corridor.

BURLINGTON NORTHERN

(Used by Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, and Illinois Zephyr)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at Aurora, and uses the same trackage as used by Metra's Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains.

MILWAUKEE ROAD

(Used by Empire Builder and Hiawatha Service trains)

Route enters and leaves the Chicago area at Rondout over trackage now owned by CP Rail (Soo Line). Between Chicago and Rondout, trains use the same trackage as used by Metra's Milwaukee District North Line.

AMTRAK ROUTINGS MAP

Some Amtrak trains serving Chicago share routes with Metra trains, others use different routings. This map shows all Metra and Amtrak routes in Chicago and northeast Illinois, with emphasis on the Amtrak routes.