Janesville and Amtrak
A long, long time ago back in 2001 Janesville had an Amtrak route from Chicago. It didn't run frequently, it had a very poorly located station, and wasn't really promoted, so it didn't last long.
I managed to dig up a couple digital relics of the train online a couple days ago. First there are a bunch of pictures and a description of the terrible station.
Second, there is a detailed account of how one man took the Amtrak system across the country to get to Janesville. I bet he was sorely disappointed when he got to the end of the route.
Would the car culture of Janesville have used rail if there was a better located station and a mid-day run? I think so.
I managed to dig up a couple digital relics of the train online a couple days ago. First there are a bunch of pictures and a description of the terrible station.
Second, there is a detailed account of how one man took the Amtrak system across the country to get to Janesville. I bet he was sorely disappointed when he got to the end of the route.
Would the car culture of Janesville have used rail if there was a better located station and a mid-day run? I think so.
posted by Jeramey @ 3/26/2008 09:39:00 PM
2 Comments:
At March 31, 2008 9:26 PM ,
AJG said...
Duluth had a route to MSP until 1986 I believe. It was discontinued due to a lack of ridership. The station was perfectly located in Duluth's historic downtown Depot, and the ridership still waned. The problems: we are both aware (or should be) of the issues with Amtrak. The route was slow - what was a 3 1/2 hour drive was a 4 1/2 hour train ride. There was also a lack of metro transit once MSP was reached. The fares were expensive relative to airfare from Duluth as well (which was also too expensive (though that is a different dialogue all together)). Now, Duluth is slated for extension of Amtrak service. The question is whether or not there will be sufficient ridership to warrant the continuation of the service. Have the conditions improved? Have the star aligned correctly? What do you think?
At March 31, 2008 9:26 PM ,
AJG said...
Duluth had a route to MSP until 1986 I believe. It was discontinued due to a lack of ridership. The station was perfectly located in Duluth's historic downtown Depot, and the ridership still waned. The problems: we are both aware (or should be) of the issues with Amtrak. The route was slow - what was a 3 1/2 hour drive was a 4 1/2 hour train ride. There was also a lack of metro transit once MSP was reached. The fares were expensive relative to airfare from Duluth as well (which was also too expensive (though that is a different dialogue all together)). Now, Duluth is slated for extension of Amtrak service. The question is whether or not there will be sufficient ridership to warrant the continuation of the service. Have the conditions improved? Have the star aligned correctly? What do you think?
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