Lakeshore Rail Alliance
It's time for more trains from Erie to Chicago and New York City
The Lakeshore Rail Alliance advocates for more and better passenger rail service between New York and Chicago. The coalition of seven passenger rail advocacy organizations across six states is led by All Aboard Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. In early 2021, All Aboard Erie was asked by passenger rail advocates from New York and Ohio to serve as the umbrella organization for a new coalition of like-minded rail groups to work together on several rail projects of mutual interest.
The advantages of the LRA are many. Unlike most organizations that are focused on one particular geographical area or one specific topic, passenger train travel must deal with a wide variety of interstate issues over hundreds or thousands of miles. A problem in Chicago can affect trains arriving or departing in New York. One state’s inability or unwillingness to upgrade their rail infrastructure can easily derail the best-planned rail system in an adjoining state. Planning and operating an interstate rail system must contend with a bewildering array of governmental agencies and jurisdictions, a variety of public and private interests, and the private railroad companies themselves.
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One state or one rail association working by itself would find it nearly impossible to address all of the issues involved with connecting its passenger rail service to other parts of the country. The LRA enables these individual and often isolated groups to collaborate and speak with one voice. The LRA is changing the way we think about rail transportation today, and it will transform the way America’s interstate passenger rail system will operate in the 21st Century.
A dynamic region
The Lake Shore Corridor - anchored by two global hubs of commerce and culture - is one of the America’s most vibrant regions, economically and culturally .
Roughly 30 million people live within 25 miles of the route’s 20 rail stations. The route connects 171 city pair markets, connecting smaller cities and towns to Chicago, New York and each other. More frequent trains, scheduled to allow for a productive business trip to each major city, are needed to create stronger economic ties.
A proposal
We propose that Amtrak operate at least four daily round trips linking Chicago and New York to the many cities along the corridor. It would be the quickest way to gain useful service to the biggest cities on the corridor. Upgraded track, improved stations, and new, state-of-the-art train sets would be needed. This would be an interim step as high-speed rail is built.
An investment
The Lake Shore Corridor - anchored by two global hubs of commerce and culture - is one of the America’s most vibrant regions, economically and culturally .
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Making this schedule a reality will require the following upgrades:
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Track and Signals: New passing sidings will need to be constructed, congestion points removed and signals enhanced.
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Stations: New platforms serving all mainline tracks and passenger safety improvements will need to be installed.
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High-Performance Trains: Modern trains that can accelerate and take turns faster while burning less fuel will need to be purchased.