What are Amtrak's #2 and #3 corridors?

This is my favorite Amtrak Train / Lake Shore Limited.  Not sure of it's ranking but I would, but it could be #2 or #3. I keep the schedule on my work bench.  We park the car at Amtrak's Station in Dearborn, Michigan and catch a bus to Toledo, Ohio. 

Gary

if memory serves it would the Pacific Coast line and the N-S Midwest line as Gary pointed out.

serves the other large population centers

The California service and Empire service seem to be up there. 

Here's all the routes: https://www.narprail.org/site/...es/1038/trains-1.pdf

As far as electrifying it, they dont own anything but the NEC, and I doubt the freight RRs really want them stringing up wires, not that its cost effective anyways. With rare exception, the equipment is capable of operating at higher speeds than the tracks allow at the moment anyways. Aside from the NEC, there's only a few spots where 100+MPH operation is permitted. 

Boilermaker1 posted:

The California service and Empire service seem to be up there. 

Here's all the routes: https://www.narprail.org/site/...es/1038/trains-1.pdf

As far as electrifying it, they dont own anything but the NEC, and I doubt the freight RRs really want them stringing up wires, not that its cost effective anyways. With rare exception, the equipment is capable of operating at higher speeds than the tracks allow at the moment anyways. Aside from the NEC, there's only a few spots where 100+MPH operation is permitted. 

I ride the San Joaquin regularly. About halfway up the valley, one can see the beginnings of the very controversial High Speed Rail.

What is interesting is the declining number of riders over the past few years on most of the routes, especially the shorter ones. The long distance routes seem to be holding their own or even increasing in some cases. A lot of these routes I have never heard of before, to tell the truth. Anyone have any idea why the sudden jump in number of riders on the Palmetto? There has to be a reason.

Never mind - I looked again. New stops at BWI airport and metropark. Maybe that could be an indicator of things for the future.

The long distance routes seem to be holding their own or even increasing in some cases.
A lot of these routes I have never heard of before, to tell the truth.
Anyone have any idea why the sudden jump in number of riders on the Palmetto? There has to be a reason.

Quite possibly the threat of Amtrak Funding cuts for long distance trains from this Administration in the White house? OR posibly People sick of the issues at the airports, cramped seats and leg room, and the "not so freindly skies" anymore on domestic flights.

Don't forget long distance trains are also the local train 

Amtrak's CA service, LA to San Diego and Oakland to Sacramento, is very popular.  The trains are usually full.  I also believe that service in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle to Portland and Seattle to Vancouver, are popular routes with growing services.  

It would take some research to find out about the traffic density.

NH Joe

I would put the Keystone service and Amtrak California's as the #2 and #3.  Not sure which one would be #2 or #3 though. For what it's worth the ride from Harrisburg to NYC on a Keystone service train is outstanding.  Relatively fast, a smooth ride, free Wifi onboard even if it's a bit spotty, and 110 receptacles for every seat. 

Amtrak Services in Michigan / Corridor

These are in the order of rider usage.  The Wolverine being the most popular. Leaves Dearborn Station to Chicago at 6:58 AM  •  11:42 AM  •  6:49 PM

Dearborn has the best over night parking, Dearborn Police Department is across the street.

Gary

This is an excellent research site:

https://www.narprail.org/our-i...idership-statistics/

Looking at ridership numbers the Pacific Surfliner service is number 2 with 2,500,000 passengers, California Capitols Service is number 3 with about 1,550,000 passengers, and followed by The Keystone Service at about 1,445,000 passengers.  The NEC is far ahead at around 12,000,000 passengers.  These are all 2016 ridership counts.

Amtrak has changed the service of the lakeshore limited. It used to be coach from Boston to Albany, At Albany it met up with the train from NY and then you would have your viewliner cars the rest of the way to Chicago. Now they have the viewliner cars right from Boston to Chicago. I have reservations on it in early May from Boston to Chicago. Much better now, and it leaves later from Boston 12:50pm. Coming from Portland I don't have to get up so early.