I just rode Amtrak from Chicago to Springfield, IL on 4/2/09 (Thursday) and 4/4/09 (Saturday) and I did not see ONE UP freight train on either trip - not even in a siding. How many freights are there in each direction on a typical day?
BTW, the last time I rode Amtrak on this route was in the Chicago, Missouri and Western days. I'll never forget trying to drink a cup of coffee only to have most of it end up on my clothes and tray! I thought the train was going to leave the tracks for sure! The ride now is a dream compared to back in those days. The train was full in both directions and there were a lot of families and students on board so that was great to see.
Also, and unfortunately, some poor soul tried to beat a Northbound Amtrak on Thursday just South of Bloomington, IL so our Southbound sat in the Normal, IL station for 2 hours while the authorities dealth with the mishap.
The only thing good that came out of that was that I got to get off of the train and chat with an Amtrak "engineer in training". I verified that the top speed limit is still 79MPH and that Mazonia to Springfield (I believe) is good for 110MPH if they had the right signaling and passenger engine equipment. There were UP crews at several crossings North of Mazonia putting in new crossing signals and gates.
Funny thing is this young engineer trainee told me he didn't like going 79MPH in some spots that are a litle bumpy. I told him that I used to ride the train back when I thought it would fly off of the tracks and that the track conditions now are a dream!
BTW, the last time I rode Amtrak on this route was in the Chicago, Missouri and Western days. I'll never forget trying to drink a cup of coffee only to have most of it end up on my clothes and tray! I thought the train was going to leave the tracks for sure! The ride now is a dream compared to back in those days. The train was full in both directions and there were a lot of families and students on board so that was great to see.
Also, and unfortunately, some poor soul tried to beat a Northbound Amtrak on Thursday just South of Bloomington, IL so our Southbound sat in the Normal, IL station for 2 hours while the authorities dealth with the mishap.
The only thing good that came out of that was that I got to get off of the train and chat with an Amtrak "engineer in training". I verified that the top speed limit is still 79MPH and that Mazonia to Springfield (I believe) is good for 110MPH if they had the right signaling and passenger engine equipment. There were UP crews at several crossings North of Mazonia putting in new crossing signals and gates.
Funny thing is this young engineer trainee told me he didn't like going 79MPH in some spots that are a litle bumpy. I told him that I used to ride the train back when I thought it would fly off of the tracks and that the track conditions now are a dream!