This is a summary of the routes served by Amtrak when it began operating on May 1st, 1971, and focuses on the ownership of the track used at the time. For information on traveling with Amtrak, please see their Website.
I am listing each route by the current ownership of the track and May 1971 ownership (in blue), as well as mileage by state, and a discription of changes to the route since 1971. This is followed by a summary of the long distance passenger trains operated by some of the freight railroads after May 1971.
The passenger trains that were being operated by America's Railroads on April 30, 1971 are covered by this Trains article. Amtrak's original system was made up of 19,233 route miles covering 43 States and the District of Columbia. By the end of 1971, the system had grown to 21,528 miles. At the present time Amtrak now has a system of 21,157 miles, in 46 States. I have a summary of today's Amtrak system covered on Amtrak's Current Routes. Since 1971, Amtrak has abandoned a total of 14,075 miles, and these are covered on Amtrak's Abandoned Routes.
There is a very good article on Amtrak's history on Wikipedia
The routes are covered in this order-
Western Long Distance Trains
1 -Coast Starlight Seattle to San Diego 1,503 miles
-Coast Daylight Oakland to San Diego 608 miles
2 -Empire Builder Seattle to Chicago 2,289 miles
3 -San Francisco Zephyr Oakland to Chicago 2,408 miles
4 -Super Chief, El Capitan Los Angeles to Chicago 2,227 miles
5 -Sunset Limited Los Angeles to New Orleans 2,033 miles
6 -Texas Chief Chicago to Houston 1,369 miles
7 -San Diegan Los Angeles to San Diego 129 miles
Central Trains
8 -Abraham Lincoln, The Limited Chicago to St. Louis 282 miles
9 -City of New Orleans Chicago (Central Station) to New Orleans 921 miles
10-Wolverine, St. Clair Chicago to Detroit 279 miles
Eastern Long Distance Trains
11-Broadway Limited, New York section Chicago to New York 912 miles
12-Broadway Limited, Washington Section Chicago to Washington 858 miles
13-National Limited, New York section Kansas City to New York 1,334 miles
14-National Limited, Washington Section Kansas City to Washington 1,276 miles
15-James Whitcomb Riley Chicago (Central Station) to Cincinnati 304 miles
16-George Washington, New York section Cincinnati to Washington 602 miles
17-George Washington, Newport News section Cincinnati to Newport News
654 miles
18-South Wind, St. Petersburg section Chicago (Central Station) to
St. Petersburg 1,474 miles
19-South Wind, Miami Section Chicago (Central Station) to Miami 1,589 miles
20-Silver Meteor New York to Miami 1,365 miles
21-Champion New York to St. Petersburg 1,267 miles
22-Silver Star, St. Petersburg section New York to St. Petersburg 1,274 miles
23-Silver Star, Miami section New York to Miami 1,389 miles
24-Lake Shore route train New York Grand Central Terminal to Buffalo 436 miles
25-Northeast Corridor Washington to Boston 457 miles
26-Springfield line New York to Springfield 129 miles
1971 Expansion
27-Lake Shore Chicago to New York 962 miles (May 10, 1971)
28-Bay State New York to Boston 227 miles (May 17, 1971)
29-North Coast Hiawatha Seattle to Chicago 2,300 miles (June 5, 1971)
30-West Virginian Washington to Parkersburg 351 miles (September 8, 1971)
31-Illinois Zephyr Chicago to West Quincy 262 miles (November 14, 1971)
Western Long Distance Trains
1-Coast Starlight / Coast Daylight
Seattle to San Diego 1,503 miles.
Current line ownership...Seattle, WA -186 miles BNSF- Portland, OR
-524 Union Pacific- Tehama, CA -111 California Northern- Davis, CA
-552 Union Pacific- Mission Tower, CA -1 Metrolink- Los Angeles, CA
-4 Metrolink- Redondo Jct., CA -22 BNSF- Fullerton, CA -41 Metrolink-
San Clemente, CA -62 San Diego Northern- San Diego, CA
1971 ownership... Seattle, WA -186 Burlington Northern- Portland, OR
-1 Union Pacific- East Portland Junction -1,186 Southern Pacific-
Mission Tower, CA -1 L. A. Union Passenger Terminal- Los Angeles, CA
-1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal- Mission Tower, CA
-127 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- San Diego, CA
Station stops...Seattle WA, Tacoma WA, East Olympia WA, Centralia WA,
Kelso WA, Vancouver WA, Portland OR, Salem OR, Eugene OR,
Klamath Falls OR, Dunsmuir CA, Redding CA, Davis CA, Oakland CA,
San Jose CA, Salinas CA, San Luis Obispo CA, Santa Barbara CA, Oxnard CA,
Glendale CA, Los Angeles CA, Fullerton CA, Santa Ana CA, San Clemente CA,
Oceanside CA, Del Mar CA, San Diego CA
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Washington 177, Oregon 348, California 977
Route Changes...The Coast Starlight began as a triweekly train, until November
1971 when it became daily. During the other 4 days of the week, the schedule
south of Oakland was covered by the Coast Daylight. The southern terminus
was changed from San Diego to Los Angeles during April 1972 and on April 25,
1982 the route was changed between Tehama and Davis to serve Sacramento.
The current version of the Coast Starlight operates on 1,264 of the original
1,503 mile route. A further 128 miles south of Los Angeles is now covered by
the Pacific Surfliners, leaving 111 miles between Davis and Tehama without
Amtrak at this time.
Photos Wikipedia
2-Empire Builder
Seattle to Chicago 2,289 miles
Current line ownership... Seattle, WA -1,878 BNSF- Division Street, MN
-19 Canadian Pacific or BNSF- St. Croix Tower, MN -360 Canadian Pacific-
-Rondout, IL -32 Metra- Chicago, IL
1971 ownership... Seattle, WA -1,878 Burlington Northern- Division Street, MN
-19 Canadian Pacific or Burlington Northern- St. Croix Tower, MN
-392 Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific- Chicago, IL
Station stops...Seattle WA, East Auburn WA, Ellensburg WA, Yakima WA,
Pasco WA, Spokane WA, Sandpoint ID, Troy MT, Libby MT, Whitefish MT,
Belton MT, Glacier Park MT, Cut Bank MT, Shelby MT, Havre MT,
Glasgow MT, Wolf Point MT, Williston ND, Minot ND, Rugby ND,
Devils Lake ND, Grand Forks ND, Fargo ND, Breckenridge MN, Morris MN,
Willmar MN, Minneapolis MN, Red Wing MN, Winona MN, La Crosse WS,
Tomah WS, Wisconsin Dells WS, Portage WS, Columbus WS, Milwaukee WS,
Glenview IL, Chicago IL
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Washington 424, Idaho 102, Montana 668, North Dakota 430,
Minnesota 382, Wisconsin 235, Illinois 48
Route changes...On February 28, 1978 the Empire Builder was routed over the
Milwaukee Road and the Minnesota Transfer west of Division Street to serve the
Midway Station rather than the GN Minneapolis Station. On October 2, 1979 the
route was changed between Minneapolis and Fargo to the ex NP Staples line from the
ex GN Willmar line. Also during the late 1970s the Milwaukee Road was used for
several months over Snoqualmie Pass. The fourth change was on October 27, 1981
when the train moved over to the ex GN line over Stevens Pass between Spokane
and Seattle from the ex NP Stampede Pass line. The Empire Builder, including the
Portland section, still uses 1,789 of the original 2,189 mile route. Amtrak Cascades
use an addition 21 miles south from Seattle.
Photos Wikipedia 1971schedule
3-San Francisco Zephyr
Oakland to Chicago 2,408 miles
Current line ownership... Oakland, CA -1,370 Union Pacific- Denver, CO
- 1,037 BNSF - Roosevelt Road, IL - 1 Amtrak - Chicago, IL
1971 ownership... Oakland, CA -420 Southern Pacific- Weso (Winnemucca), NV
-181 Southern Pacific (westward) or Western Pacific (eastbound)-
-Alazon (Wells), NV -179 Southern Pacific- Ogden, UT -590 Union Pacific-
-Denver, CO -1,037 Burlington Northern- Roosevelt Road, IL
- 1 Chicago Union Station - Chicago, IL
Station stops...Oakland CA, Sacramento CA, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Carlin NV,
Elko NV, Ogden UT, Evanston WY, Green River WY, Rock Springs WY,
Rawlins WY, Laramie WY, Cheyenne WY, Greeley CO, Denver CO,
Fort Morgan CO, Akron CO, McCook NE, Holdrege NE, Hastings NE, Lincoln NE,
Omaha NE, Creston IA, Osceola IA, Ottumwa IA, Mount Pleasant IA,
Burlington IA, Monmouth IL, Galesburg IL, Aurora IL, Chicago IL
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...California 229, Nevada 432, Utah 165, Wyoming 447, Colorado 267,
Nebraska 387, Iowa 274, Illinois 204
Note- 3 miles in and out of Cheyenne were duplicated.
Route changes...Between April 25, 1976 and April 25, 1982 the main route used
was through Council Bluffs, rather than crossing the Missouri at Plattsmouth. On
October 27, 1979 the San Francisco Zephyr stopped running into Cheyenne, using
a line from Speer to Borie. The train was renamed the California Zephyr on April 24,
1983 and began running over the D&RGW between Denver and Ogden on July 15,
1983. The rise of the Great Salt Lake caused the CZ to be routed over the former
Western Pacific from Salt Lake City to Alazon beginning on October 30, 1983. The
western terminus has changed over the years, starting with the earthquake in 1989
which damaged the 16th Street station. The Jack London Square Station opened in
1994, and then Emeryville became the most recent endpoint. The California Zephyr
currently uses 1,627 miles of the San Francisco Zephyr's 2,408 mile route, and
Amtrak also uses the 5 miles between Emeryville and Oakland with other services.
Photos 1976schedule
4-Super Chief, El Capitan
Los Angeles to Chicago 2,227 miles
Current line ownership...Los Angeles, CA.- 1 Metrolink - Mission Tower, CA
-15 abandoned- Arcadia, CA -41 Metrolink- San Bernardino, CA -1,718 BNSF-
-Santa Fe Jct, KS -9 Kansas City Terminal- Sheffield Jct, MO -26 BNSF-
-CA Jct, MO -29 Norfolk Southern- WB Jct, MO -382 BNSF- 35th Street, IL
-2 abandoned- Bridgeport, IL -2 Canadian National- 21st Street, IL -2 Amtrak-
-Chicago, IL
1971 ownership...Los Angeles, CA -1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal-
-Mission Tower, CA -1,774 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- Santa Fe Jct, KS
-9 Kansas City Terminal-Sheffield Jct, MO-26 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe-
-CA Jct, MO-29 Norfolk and Western-WB Jct, MO-384 ATSF-Bridgeport, IL
-2 Illinois Central-21st Street, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-Chicago, IL
Station stops...Los Angeles CA, Pasadena CA, Pomona CA, San Bernardino CA,
Barstow CA, Needles CA, Kingman AZ, Flagstaff AZ, Winslow AZ, Gallup NM,
Albuquerque NM, Lamy NM, Las Vegas NM, Raton NM, Trinidad CO,
La Junta CO, Lamar CO, Garden City KS, Dodge City CO, Hutchinson KS,
Newton KS, Emporia KS, Kansas City MO, La Plata MO, Fort Madison IA,
Galesburg IL, Chillicothe IL, Streator IL, Joliet IL, Chicago IL
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...California 321, Arizona 386, New Mexico 430, Colorado 181,
Kansas 457, Missouri 201, Iowa 20, Illinois 231
Route changes...The first change for the Super Chief was actually a name change,
becoming the Southwest Limited on May 19, 1974. The train then became the
Southwest Chief on October 28, 1984. On October 1, 1979 the train started
operating through Topeka, between Kansas City and Emporia. On January 14, 1994
the train was routed through Fullerton from the Pasadena line. The third change
took place on August 1, 1996, moving over to the former BN between Chicago and
Cameron, just west of Galesburg. The Southwest Chief is now using 1,888 miles of
the 2,227 mile Super Chief route. The three sections which are no longer used lie in
California, Kansas and Illinois.
Photos Wikipedia 1976schedule
5-Sunset Limited
Los Angeles to New Orleans 2,033 miles
Current line ownership...Los Angeles, CA -1 Metrolink- Mission Tower, CA
-1,753 Union Pacific- Beaumont, TX -2 Kansas City Southern-Tower 31, TX
-69 Union Pacific - Iowa Jct, LA - 196 BNSF - West Bridge Jct, LA
-5 New Orleans Public Belt- East Bridge Jct, LA -2 Canadian National-
-Southport Jct, LA -1 Kansas City Southern- KCS Jct, LA
-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal- New Orleans, LA
1971 ownership...Los Angeles, CA -1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal-
-Mission Tower, CA -1,752 Southern Pacific- Beaumont, TX
-1 Missouri Pacific - Mill Street, TX -2 Kansas City Southern- Tower 31, TX
-265 Southern Pacific- West Bridge Jct, LA -5 New Orleans Public Belt-
-East Bridge Jct, LA-2 Illinois Central-Southport Jct, LA-1 Kansas City Southern
-KCS Jct, LA -4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal- New Orleans, LA
Station stops...Los Angeles CA, Alhambra CA, Pomona CA, Indio CA, Yuma AZ,
Phoenix AZ, Tucson AZ, Lordsburg NM, Deming NM, El Paso TX, Alpine TX,
Sanderson TX, Del Rio TX, San Antonio TX, Houston TX, Beaumont TX,
Lake Charles LA, Lafayette LA, New Iberia LA, New Orleans LA
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...California 253, Arizona 430, New Mexico 170, Texas 933,
Louisiana 247
Route changes...The Sunset Limited was extended east to Miami on April 4, 1993.
On June 3, 1996 the Sunset Limited stopped serving Phoenix and began running
on the freight route to the south. The eastern terminus was cut back to Sanford
during 1997 and then extended to Orlando during 1998. Due to Hurricane Katrina,
the Sunset has been suspended east of New Orleans since August 2005. At this
time the Sunset Limited still uses 1,825 miles of the 2,033 mile 1971 route.
1971 Schedule Photos Wikipedia
6-Texas Chief
Chicago to Houston 1,369 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Amtrak-21st Street, IL-2 Canadian National-
-35th Street, IL -2 abandoned- Bridgeport, IL -382 BNSF- WB Jct, MO-
-29 Norfolk Southern- CA Jct, MO -26 BNSF- Sheffield Jct, MO
-9 Kansas City Terminal- Santa Fe Jct, MO -879 BNSF- Rosenberg, TX
-37 Union Pacific-Houston, TX-1 Union Pacific-Houston Union Station
1971 ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL
-2 Illinois Central- 35th Street, IL -384 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe-
-WB Jct, MO - 29 Norfolk and Western - CA Jct, MO
-26 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe-Sheffield Jct, MO-9 Kansas City Terminal-
-Santa Fe Jct, MO -879 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- Rosenberg, TX
-37 Southern Pacific - Houston, TX - 1 Houston Belt and Terminal -
-Houston Union Station
Station stops...Chicago IL, Joliet IL, Streator IL, Chillicothe IL, Galesburg IL,
Fort Madison IW, La Plata MO, Marceline MO, Carrollton MO, Kansas City MO,
Lawrence KS, Topeka KS, Emporia KS, Newton KS, Wichita KS,
Arkansas City KS, Ponca City OK, Perry OK, Guthrie OK, Oklahoma City OK,
Norman OK, Purcell OK, Pauls Valley OK, Ardmore OK, Gainesville TX,
Fort Worth TX, Cleburne TX, McGregor TX, Temple TX, Bellville Yard TX,
Houston TX
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 231...Iowa 20...Missouri 201...Kansas 282...
Oklahoma 248...Texas 387
Route changes...The Texas Chief was renamed the Lone Star on May 15, 1974.
Amtrak's Lone Star was the last passenger train using Houston's Union Station,
until July 31, 1974. The Lone Star ended service south of Fort Worth on
October 1, 1979 and the rest of the train ended on October 8, 1979. On
January 28, 1973 Amtrak began an extension of the Texas Chief south of
Fort Worth to Laredo, named the Inter-American. This train left the Texas Chief
route at Milano and served San Antonio. The junction point was moved from
Milano to Temple on October 26, 1975. Only 633 miles of the original 1,369 mile
route still see Amtrak service. This includes 2 miles in Chicago and 37 miles
running west from Houston, on the Sunset Limited route. The Texas Chief has
been replaced by the Texas Eagle, which has a 129 mile overlap between
Fort Worth and Temple. Another 465 miles between Cameron, Illinois and Newton,
Kansas sees use by the Southwest Chief.
Photos 1971schedule
7-San Diegan
Los Angeles to San Diego 129 miles
Current line ownership... Los Angeles, CA - 4 Metrolink - Redondo Jct, CA
-22 BNSF-Fullerton, CA-41 Metrolink-San Clemente, CA-62 San Diego Northern
-San Diego, CA
1971 ownership...Los Angeles, CA -1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal-
-Mission Tower, CA -128 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- San Diego, CA
Station stops...Los Angeles CA, Fullerton CA, Santa Ana CA, San Clemente CA,
Oceanside CA, Del Mar CA, San Diego CA
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...California 129
Name change...The San Diegans were renamed Pacific Surfliners, beginning in April
2000. They now continue northwest of Los Angeles through Santa Barbara to
San Luis Obispo. The Los Angeles to San Diego route continues to host Amtrak,
although ownership has changed and it has been upgraded several times.
Wikipedia
Central Trains
8-Abraham Lincoln, The Limited
Chicago to St. Louis 282 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL
-35 Canadian National- Joliet, IL -238 Union Pacific- WR Tower, IL
-7 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis-St. Louis, MO
1971 ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL
-273 Illinois Central-WR Tower, IL-7 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis-
-St. Louis, MO
South of Joliet to Pequot, IL Amtrak can use 18 miles of BNSF (Illinois Central).
Station stops...Chicago IL, Joliet IL, Pontiac IL, Bloomington IL, Lincoln IL,
Springfield IL, Carlinville IL, Alton IL, St. Louis MO
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 278, Missouri 4
Changes...On October 14, 1971 these trains were extended north to Milwaukee,
although this did not last long. Service using St. Louis Union Station ended in
1978. Current service between Chicago and St. Louis consists of the Texas Eagle,
which runs to San Antonio, and Lincoln Service. Most of these trains now
use MacArthur bridge rather than Merchants bridge. The rest of the route remains
the same, however the names of the owners of the track have changed constantly
since 1971.
Photos
9-City of New Orleans
Chicago (Central Station) to New Orleans 921 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago Central Station, IL -916 Canadian National-
-Southport Jct, LA - 1 Kansas City Southern - KCS Jct, LA -
-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal- New Orleans, LA
1971 ownership...Chicago Central Station, IL - 916 Illinois Central -
-Southport Jct, LA -1 Kansas City Southern- KCS Jct, LA -
-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal- New Orleans, LA
Station stops...Chicago IL, Homewood IL, Kankakee IL, Rantoul IL,
Champaign-Urbana IL, Mattoon IL, Effingham IL, Centralia IL, Carbondale IL,
Cairo IL, Fulton KY, Dyersburg TN, Memphis TN, Batesville MS, Grenada MS,
Winona MS, Durant MS, Canton MS, Jackson MS, Hazlehurst MS,
Brookhaven MS, McComb MS, Hammond LA, New Orleans LA
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 361, Kentucky 43, Tennessee 134, Mississippi 295,
Louisiana 88
Route and name changes...The City of New Orleans was operated by Amtrak from
May 1, 1971 until renamed the Panama Limited on November 14, 1971. The
Panama Limited name lasted almost 10 years, and then switched back to the
City of New Orleans on February 1, 1981. Chicago Central Station was used until
March 6, 1972 when the train's northern terminal was switched to Union Station,
joining Amtrak's other trains in the Windy City. On September 10, 1995 the route
was changed south of Memphis to Jackson through Yazoo City, which was
Illinois Central's mainline. The City of New Orleans is now operating on 711 miles
of the 921 mile May 1971 route.
Photos Wikipedia 1971schedule
10-Wolverine, St. Clair
Chicago to Detroit 279 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
-38 Norfolk Southern - Porter, IN - 98 Amtrak - Kalamazoo, MI -
-135 Norfolk Southern- Townline, MI -4 Amtrak- CP West Detroit, MI-
-1 Conrail - Detroit, MI - 1 Canadian Pacific - Detroit, MI
1971 ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL -
-277 Penn Central - Detroit, MI
Station stops...Chicago IL, Niles MI, Kalamazoo MI, Battle Creek MI, Jackson MI,
Ann Arbor MI, Detroit MI
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 45, Michigan 220
Changes...Amtrak's Chicago to Detroit service began on May 1, 1971 running on
Penn Central's former New York Central line. The middle portion, between Porter,
IN, and Kalamazoo, MI, was not wanted by Conrail and was acquired by Amtrak
during 1976. The New York to Buffalo Empire State Express was extended across
Ontario to Detroit on October 31, 1974, initiating through service. The ESE was
renamed the Niagara Rainbow later but was abolished on April 28, 1979. On
August 3, 1980 the Chicago to Detroit St. Clair was renamed the Lake Cities and
was extended to Toledo from Detroit. Amtrak used the former Michigan Central
Station in Detroit until Jan 5, 1988. The Wolverine and the Twilight Limited were
extended from Detroit north to Pontiac, MI, on May 4, 1994, as was the Lake Cities
on April 5, 1995. The current Amtrak network uses all but the last mile of this route,
to the former Michigan Central Station.
Photos
Eastern Long Distance Trains
11-Broadway Limited, New York section splitting at Harrisburg
Chicago to New York 912 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Amtrak-21st Street, IL-21 Norfolk Southern-
-Pine Junction, IN - 3 abandoned - Tolleston, IN -
-251 Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern- Crestline, OH -440 Norfolk Southern-
-Harrisburg, PA - 195 Amtrak - New York, NY
1971 ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL -
-910 Penn Central- New York, NY
Station stops... Chicago IL, Gary IN, Fort Wayne IN, Lima OH, Crestline OH,
Canton OH, Pittsburgh PA, Johnstown PA, Altoona PA, Harrisburg PA,
Lancaster PA, Paoli PA, North Philadelphia PA, Trenton NJ, Metropark NJ,
Newark NJ, New York NY
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 154, Ohio 251, Pennsylvania 434,
New Jersey 57, New York 2
Changes...The Broadway Limited was Amtrak's only New York to Chicago train
on May 1, 1971. The Washington section split off at Harrisburg until it was
rerouted to go through Philadelphia on November 30, 1975. This was replaced by
the Capitol Limited on October 1, 1981, running on the B&O through Cumberland.
On November 11, 1990 the Broadway Limited was routed across Indiana and
Ohio on the former B&O mainline, until it was cancelled on September 10, 1995.
Today the Lake Shore Limited serves the Chicago-New York run, using the first 23
miles from Chicago to Pine Junction. The eastern half of the route from Pittsburgh
to New York City sees the Pennsylvanian, while the Capitol Limited runs on 85
miles between Pittsburgh and Alliance. The last passenger train on the 362 miles
between Alliance and Pine Junction ran during November 1990.
Photos Wikipedia 1976schedule
12-Broadway Limited, Washington Section splitting at Harrisburg
Chicago to Washington 858 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
-21 Norfolk Southern- Pine Junction, IN -3 abandoned- Tolleston, IN -
-251 Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern-Crestline, OH-440 Norfolk Southern-
-Harrisburg, PA - 10 Amtrak - Royalton, PA - 56 Norfolk Southern -
-Perryville, MD - 75 Amtrak - Washington, DC
1971 ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL -
-852 Penn Central - Washington, DC
Station stops...Chicago IL, Gary IN, Fort Wayne IN, Lima OH, Crestline OH,
Canton OH, Pittsburgh PA, Johnstown PA, Altoona PA, Harrisburg PA,
Baltimore MD, Capital Beltway MD, Washington DC
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 154, Ohio 251, Pennsylvania 350,
Maryland 83, District of Columbia 6
Changes...The Washington section was rerouted to join the New York section at
Philadelphia, rather than Harrisburg, on November 30, 1975. This was replaced by
the Capitol Limited on October 1, 1981, running through Cumberland, Maryland.
Just over half of the 1971 route is now used by Amtrak, 440 miles in total. The
Capitol Limited runs between Chicago and Pine Junction, and Alliance and Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh to Royalton is covered by the Pennsylvanian, and the Perryville to
Washington leg is part of the Northeast Corridor.
Photos Wikipedia 1971schedule
13-National Limited, New York section splitting at Harrisburg
Kansas City to New York 1,334 miles
Current ownership..Kansas City, MO - 6 Kansas City Terminal -
-Rock Creek Junction -274 Union Pacific- Grand Avenue, MO -
-2 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis- St. Louis, MO -2 abandoned-
-East St. Louis, IL - 236 CSX - Indianapolis, IN - 109 abandoned -
-Dayton, OH - 5 Norfolk Southern - Clement, OH - 40 abandoned -
- London, OH -25 Norfolk Southern- Columbus, OH -32 Ohio Central-
-Newark, OH -108 Columbus and Ohio- Gould, OH -10 Norfolk Southern-
-Weirton, WV-29 abandoned-Walkers Mill, PA-9 Pittsburgh and Ohio Central
- CP2 (Esplen), PA -252 Norfolk Southern- Harrisburg, PA -195 Amtrak-
-New York, NY
1971 ownership..Kansas City, MO - 6 Kansas City Terminal -
-Rock Creek Junction, MO - 274 Missouri Pacific - Grand Avenue, MO -
-4 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis - East St. Louis, IL -
-1,050 Penn Central-New York, NY
Station stops...Kansas City MO, Warrensburg MO, Sedalia MO,
Jefferson City MO, Kirkwood MO, St. Louis MO, Effingham IL, Terre Haute IN,
Indianapolis IN, Richmond IN, Dayton OH, Columbus OH, Pittsburgh PA,
Wilkinsburg PA, Greensburg PA, Latrobe PA, Johnstown PA, Altoona PA,
Tyrone PA, Huntingdon PA, Lewistown PA, Harrisburg PA, Lancaster PA,
Paoli PA, North Philadelphia PA, Trenton NJ, Metropark NJ,
Newark NJ, New York NY
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Missouri 283, Illinois 157, Indiana 151, Ohio 256,
West Virginia 7, Pennsylvania 441, New Jersey 57, New York 2
Changes...The National Limited connected New York and Kansas City, running
through Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and St. Louis. There was a separate Washington
section east of Harrisburg, which was rerouted to connect through Philadelphia
on October 28, 1978. Between Columbus and St Louis, the former Pennsylvania
route was used, although the former New York Central line was available for
detours. The National Limited lasted just over 8 years, until it was cancelled on
October 1, 1979. The Broadway Limited continued to serve the route east of
Pittsburgh, and the rest of the route to St Louis lost passenger service. Amtrak
continued running between St. Louis and Kansas City by extending a Chicago to
St Louis train to Kansas City, which was given the name Ann Rutledge.
The Ann Rutledge still occupies the 282 miles linking Kansas City and St. Louis,
while a variety of Amtrak trains use 9 miles through Indianapolis and the 447
miles east of Esplen. Between St. Louis and Esplen lie 596 miles now without
passenger service.
Photos 1975schedule
14-National Limited, Washington Section splitting at Harrisburg
Kansas City to Washington 1,276 miles
Current ownership...Kansas City, MO - 6 Kansas City Terminal -
-Rock Creek Junction - 274 Union Pacific - Grand Avenue, MO -
-2 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis- St. Louis, MO-2 abandoned-
-East St. Louis, IL - 236 CSX - Indianapolis, IL - 109 abandoned -
-Dayton, OH - 5 Norfolk Southern - Clement, OH - 40 abandoned -
-London, OH -25 Norfolk Southern- Columbus, OH -32 Ohio Central-
-Newark, OH - 108 Columbus and Ohio River - Gould, OH -
-10 Norfolk Southern- Weirton, WV -29 abandoned- Walkers Mill, PA -
-9 Pittsburgh and Ohio Central- CP2 (Esplen), PA -252 Norfolk Southern-
-Harrisburg, PA - 10 Amtrak - Royalton, PA -56 Norfolk Southern-
-Perryville, MD-75 Amtrak-Washington, DC
1971 ownership..Kansas City, MO - 6 Kansas City Terminal -
-Rock Creek Junction, MO - 274 Missouri Pacific - Grand Avenue, MO -
-4 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis - East St. Louis, MO -
-992 Penn Central- Washington, DC
Station stops...Kansas City MO, Warrensburg MO, Sedalia MO,
Jefferson City MO, Kirkwood MO, St. Louis MO, Effingham IL, Terre Haute IN,
Indianapolis IN, Richmond IN, Dayton OH, Columbus OH, Pittsburgh PA,
Wilkinsburg PA, Greensburg PA, Latrobe PA, Johnstown PA, Altoona PA,
Tyrone PA, Huntingdon PA, Lewistown PA, Harrisburg PA, Baltimore MD,
Capital Beltway MD, Washington DC
More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Missouri 283, Illinois 157, Indiana 151, Ohio 256,
West Virginia 7, Pennsylvania 333, Maryland 83, District of Columbia 6
Changes...The Washington section of the National Limited joined the New York
section at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and operated as one combined train west
to Kansas City. The junction point was moved from Harrisburg to Philadelphia on
October 28, 1978. Cancellation came on October 1, 1979, and the Washington
to Pittsburgh line continued to be served by the Broadway Limited. Four
segments of the 1971 route are still carrying Amtrak, Kansas City-St. Louis,
downtown Indianapolis, Esplen-Royalton, and Perryville-Washington, 628 miles
altogether.
Photos 1971schedule
15-James Whitcomb Riley
Chicago (Central Station) to Cincinnati 304 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago Central Station, IL -55 Canadian National-
-Kankakee, IL -75 Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern- Lafayette, IN -
-54 abandoned - New Augusta, IN - 38 CSX - Shelbyville, IN -
-82 Central Railroad of Indiana- Cincinnati, OH
1971 ownership...Chicago Central Station, IL - 55 Illinois Central -
-Kankakee, IL -56 Penn Central- Templeton, IN -19 Norfolk and Western-
-Lafayette, IN - 174 Penn Central - Cincinnati, OH
Station stops...Chicago IL, Homewood IL, Kankakee IL, Lafayette IN,
Indianapolis IN, Cincinnati OH
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Mileage by State...Illinois 88, Indiana 196, Ohio 20
Changes...The James Whitcomb Riley operated between Chicago and Cincinnati
from 1971 until October 30, 1977, when the route was taken over by the
Cardinal. The original route was on the former New York Central through
Indianapolis. The train entered Chicago on Illinois Central's line north of Kankakee.
This necessitated the use of Chicago Central Station until March 6, 1972, when
the trains switched to Union Station. On the eastern end, Amtrak used Cincinnati
Union Station until October 28, 1972, when the Riley moved to their new River
Station. The George Washington was the connecting train to the east, although
the schedule was not designed to make this easy. This route has been a series of
headaches for Amtrak over the years, and today only 54 miles between Chicago
and Kankakee, as well as a 3 mile segment through Indianapolis, remain as part
of the system.
1971schedule
16-George Washington, Washington section splitting at Charlottesville
Cincinnati to Washington 602 miles
Current line ownership...Cincinnati, OH - 391 CSX - Clifton Forge, VA -
-126 Buckingham Branch- Orange, VA -76 Norfolk Southern- AF, VA -6 CSX-
-RO, VA -2 Norfolk Southern- CP Virginia, DC -1 Amtrak- Washington, DC
1971 ownership...Cincinnati, OH -517 Chesapeake and Ohio- Orange, VA -
-76 Southern- AF, VA -6 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac- RO, VA -
-3 Penn Central- Washington, DC
Station stops...Cincinnati OH, Ashland KY, Huntington WV, Charleston WV,
Prince WV, Hinton WV, White Sulphur Springs WV, Clifton Forge VA,
Staunton VA, Charlottesville VA, Alexandria VA, Washington DC
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Mileage by State...Ohio 2, Kentucky 150, West Virginia 211, Virginia 237,
District of Columbia 2
Changes...Amtrak's George Washington connected Washington, DC, with Cincinnati,
running on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The eastern terminus was moved
to Boston from November, 1971 until April, 1972 before returning to Washington.
Cincinnati Union Station was used on the west end until October 28, 1972,
replaced by the new River Road Station. James Whitcomb Riley and the George
Washington operated as separate trains in the early years of Amtrak, and on
October 30, 1977 both names were replaced by the Cardinal. The Cardinal was
cancelled on September 30, 1981 and then it returned to service on
January 8, 1982. The entire line between Cincinnati and Washington is covered
by the current Cardinal.
1971schedule
17-George Washington, Newport News section splitting at Charlottesville
Cincinnati to Newport News 654 miles
Current line ownership...Cincinnati, OH - 391 CSX - Clifton Forge, VA -
-191 Buckingham Branch- Richmond, VA -72 CSX- Newport News, VA
1971 ownership...Cincinnati, OH - 654 CSX - Newport News, VA
Station stops...Cincinnati OH, Ashland KY, Huntington WV, Charleston WV,
Prince WV, Hinton WV, White Sulphur Springs WV, Clifton Forge VA,
Staunton VA, Charlottesville VA, Richmond VA, Williamsburg VA,
Newport News VA
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Mileage by State...Ohio 2, Kentucky 150, West Virginia 211, Virginia 291
Changes...Amtrak's service to Newport News beginning in 1971 was with a
section of the George Washi