Amtrak's Lincoln Service passenger trains reach 110 mph

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced schedule changes for Amtrak’s Lincoln Service trains, following the successful implementation of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail project that enable passenger service to reach 110 mph! Effective June 26, the changes will eliminate approximately 15 minutes from existing 90 mph runtimes and 30 minutes from the initial 79 mph schedule. 

The project also provided major safety upgrades at 212 grade crossings by installing four-quadrant gates and loop detectors to help prevent collisions with vehicles on the tracks. Pedestrian gates and fencing were installed to prevent pedestrian accidents. Thirty-nine crossings deemed at-risk were permanently closed.

In conjunction with its partner communities, IDOT opened new stations in Dwight, Pontiac, and other cities further south, and made upgrades and renovations to stations along the route. A separate project to build a new multimodal station in Joliet was completed in 2018, with a second phase starting in 2021. The facilities provide a better customer experience and amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and connections to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The new and improved stations act as gateways to their communities, inviting tourism and providing additional travel options for the public. 

“With these changes and upgrading to higher-speed service on the state’s signature passenger rail line, Illinois solidifies its status as the transportation hub of North America,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We are proud of the work with our partners to deliver this improved service, which strengthens a safe, reliable option for travel while connecting so many of the state’s major institutions and communities.”

A final component of the project: The acquisition of new rolling stock to be used on Lincoln Service trains and other Midwest routes. Thirty-three new locomotives have been in service since late 2017. Illinois is also part of a consortium of states working with the Federal Railroad Administration and California to procure 88 new single-level railcars for use throughout Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Michigan. More than 50 of the cars are currently in revenue service on Amtrak Midwest routes. 

Funding for the project includes $1.66 billion in federal funding, primarily through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant awarded in 2010, as well as $300 million in state and non-federal funds. The project broke ground in 2010 with major infrastructure improvements completed in 2018. From 2019 to 2023, IDOT has worked with project partners the Federal Railroad Administration, Union Pacific Railroad and Amtrak to install and test a Positive Train Control system that allows passenger trains to increase their speed first to 90 mph and now 110 mph.