Train Times - July 2010

Rail Passenger USA has added three new USA regional route guides to our library this month; the Wolverine, the Blue Water, and the Pere Marquette.

Amtrak currently provides Wolverine service three times daily in both directions between Chicago, Illinois and Pontiac, Michigan via Detroit.

From Chicago, you'll travel through Indiana along the southern shore of Lake Michigan to New Buffalo, MI, the first of several Michigan stops on your journey to the Detroit metropolitan area.

In Detroit you can cross the St. Clair River into Windsor, ON, Canada, hook up with the VIA Rail Canada system, and head for the Canadian destination of your choice via VIA Rail Canada's 'Windsor-Toronto' corridor.

Presently, the 304 mile trip between Chicago and Pontiac takes about 7 1/2 hours. Click on the map below to check out the Wolverine's Indiana and Michigan stops. Note that all trains do not stop at all stations described in our guide, so it's important to refer to Amtrak's current schedule for your train's particular stops and stop restrictions.

Blue Water

Amtrak's Blue Water train provides daily service in both directions between Chicago, Illinois and Port Huron, Michigan.

The Blue Water and Wolverine follow the same route between Chicago and Battle Creek, Michigan. Just east of Battle Creek, the Blue Water heads north to East Lansing on Canadian National tracks and the Wolverine continues on its eastbound run to the Detroit metro area hosted by Norfolk & Southern.

From East Lansing you'll travel through the Michigan cities of Durand, Flint and Lapeer on your journey to Michigan's splendid Blue Water region and final stop of Port Huron.

You can also hook up with the VIA Rail Canada system ('Sarnia-Toronto' corridor) in the Port Huron area. VIA Rail Canada's Sarnia station is just a short highway trip across the St. Clair River by way of the Blue Water Bridge and Port Edward, ON. The Sarnia station is south of Port Edward due east of the Port Huron station. (This option requires an overnight stay in the area based on the currently published Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada schedules).

Blue Water Bridge at the head of the St. Clair River

Click on the map below to check out the stops the Blue Water makes on its 319 mile, 8 hour trip.

Chicago		Port Huron
To open our new Blue Water Route Guide click - Blue Water Route

Click here for Blue Water links

Scroll down on the links page
to see old Ken Graydon sing
'Blue Water Line'

Pere Marquette

Amtrak's Pere Marquette train makes the 6 hour, 176 mile trip between Chicago and Grand Rapids daily in both directions.

Amtrak says "Relax and enjoy the comfort of train travel as you take in the shoreline of Lake Michigan and its scenic landscapes through Illinois, northern Indiana and western Michigan. From the vibrancy of Chicago to the museums and attractions of Grand Rapids you'll enjoy..." Click here to go to Amtrak's 'Downloadable Route Guides' page from which you can download Amtrak's complete Pere Marquette Route Guide.

Click on the map below to check out our detailed route maps and local transportation and history information.

Friendly Reminder

Many communities in North America take the time and effort to post friendly advice encouraging visitors to know what to look out for in the area they are exploring. For example, when visiting wilderness areas in British Columbia it may be prudent to follow the advice posted on the sign depicted in the image on the left below.

Michigan is no exception. Advisories are everywhere, especially in and around the East Lansing and Ann Arbor areas. They are seen throughout the year but are most prevalent from late August through December and sometimes posted in January in extraordinary numbers. Keep an eye out for these notices that are posted on paraphernalia of all shapes and sizes. However, they almost always appear on one of the two background colors shown below.

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Rail Passenger USA is a free website founded by Ramblin' Ray, an old train travel addict who devotes most of his time to mapping USA passenger railroad routes and preparing route guides to share with others via his website.