by AMTKHawkeye
As a former University of Iowa student and Iowa City resident for 9 years, I am excited about this route coming to fruition. The U of Iowa's incoming freshmen classes every year typically have about 30% coming from the Chicago suburbs. I would expect collegiate-based ridership levels and peaks to be similar to those of the Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg trains (Western Illinois U), and the Illini/Saluki trains (U of Illinois, Eastern Illinois U, Southern Illinois U).
As well, with this service to begin with 2 trains per day in each direction, the possibility of single day round-trip travel exists for riders going in both directions.
And lastly, I fully expect the Iowa Interstate Railroad, who will host the trains from Wyanet, IL to Iowa City (and further west with future expansions), to be a model business partner with Amtrak to keep these trains moving reliably on schedule. Based on their past and present ventures and community outreaching - the Chinese QJ steam engines, hosting the "Hawkeye Express" shuttle train for U of Iowa football fans - this company has everything to gain by putting their name out in a positive light in association with the Amtrak service. Plus they'll be getting CTC signaling, upgraded track and sidings, and speed limits upped from their current 40 MPH for freight operations. Clearly a rare instance of a win/win for a rail carrier to add new passenger train service.
As well, with this service to begin with 2 trains per day in each direction, the possibility of single day round-trip travel exists for riders going in both directions.
And lastly, I fully expect the Iowa Interstate Railroad, who will host the trains from Wyanet, IL to Iowa City (and further west with future expansions), to be a model business partner with Amtrak to keep these trains moving reliably on schedule. Based on their past and present ventures and community outreaching - the Chinese QJ steam engines, hosting the "Hawkeye Express" shuttle train for U of Iowa football fans - this company has everything to gain by putting their name out in a positive light in association with the Amtrak service. Plus they'll be getting CTC signaling, upgraded track and sidings, and speed limits upped from their current 40 MPH for freight operations. Clearly a rare instance of a win/win for a rail carrier to add new passenger train service.