Lakeshore Rail Alliance - Advocating for More Service Along Lake Shore Limited Route

[Deni]

Trains 29 and 30 are the Capitol Limited which runs east of Cleveland to/from Washington, so it doesn't originate/terminate at Cleveland.

D'oh!

Of course I should have realized that from the train numbers. I've been on that train so many times... *facepalm*

 

[cocojacoby]

Trains 29 and 30 are the Capitol Limited which runs east of Cleveland to/from Washington, so it doesn't originate/terminate at Cleveland.

Another reason to send the LSL through Canada. Kind of crazy running two LD trains 6 minutes apart from Cleveland to Chicago.

 

[cocojacoby]

Looks like Amtrak thinks running through Canada is achievable:

Amtrak Chicago & Detroit to Toronto Train Expansion Plans

Amtrak plans train service between Chicago & Detroit to Toronto including potential partnership opportunities with VIA Rail Canada.

www.amtrakconnectsus.com

 

[Anthony V]

Looks like Amtrak thinks running through Canada is achievable:

Amtrak Chicago & Detroit to Toronto Train Expansion Plans

Amtrak plans train service between Chicago & Detroit to Toronto including potential partnership opportunities with VIA Rail Canada.

www.amtrakconnectsus.com

While they will be entering Canada, they won't be running "through" there, "through" being defined as entering Canada, then later re-entering the United States on the same trip. The latter scenario would require two border crossings and the delays associated with them, rather than just one, like a route from Chicago to Toronto, would require.

 

[neroden]

I'm still suspicious that border paranoia will reduce the service to two services which connect: Detroit-Toronto and Detroit-Chicago.

Which would be OK, actually. Not ideal, but I can handle getting off a train, going through customs, and getting on another train, if I don't have to leave the station.

 

[jimdex]

The latter scenario would require two border crossings and the delays associated with them, rather than just one, like a route from Chicago to Toronto, would require.

Unless the Chicago-Detroit train is sealed going through Canada.

 

[zephyr17]

Looks like Amtrak thinks running through Canada is achievable:

Amtrak Chicago & Detroit to Toronto Train Expansion Plans

Amtrak plans train service between Chicago & Detroit to Toronto including potential partnership opportunities with VIA Rail Canada.

www.amtrakconnectsus.com

That wouldn't be Amtrak. That would be a coordinated service with VIA, and likely a VIA operation from Windsor, just across the river from Detroit, to Toronto. Similar to the Maple Leaf from Niagara Falls, ON to Toronto, which is staffed and operated by VIA with Amtrak's equipment.

 

[zephyr17]

Unless the Chicago-Detroit train is sealed going through Canada.

And how or why would a Chicago-Detroit train go through Canada at all?

I don't think going around the north end of Lake Michigan, and around all but the western shore of Lake Huron would save any time when you can just cut across the base of the Lower Penninsula on the current route.

Perhaps you intended to refer to the Detroit/Windsor-Toronto leg of a Chicago-Toronto train?

 

[zephyr17]

I'm still suspicious that border paranoia will reduce the service to two services which connect: Detroit-Toronto and Detroit-Chicago.

Which would be OK, actually. Not ideal, but I can handle getting off a train, going through customs, and getting on another train, if I don't have to leave the station.

That is more or less what is done on the Maple Leaf except you reboard the same equipment after the consist is cleared by CBP/CBSA. Eveyone has to detrain with all belongings, go through Customs and Immigration, then wait in the station until the consist itself is cleared, and opened for reboarding.

Since you have to get off and reboard, anyway, I do not think it matters too much whether you get back on the same physical equipment or not. Different equipment might have a slight advantage, because the equipment would not have to be cleared and could be open to board as the passengers filter out of Customs and Immigration.

 

[PVD]

Customs inspection twice on a train (LSL) with checked baggage and sleepers? Sure...

 

[jiml]

Customs inspection twice on a train (LSL) with checked baggage and sleepers? Sure...

I'd agree but add "in the current climate". VIA's Atlantic did this on every trip and there's a long history of sleeper trains crossing at both Michigan and NY State borders. Those were the days when life was more normal.

 

[PVD]

That was then.........

 

[neroden]

That was before border agencies got fat, bloated, and lazy. They knew how to check a moving train; even going across heavily guarded borders such as in Eastern Europe.

 

[cocojacoby]

You know you would think in this day and age that the US and Canada, two friendly nations having the exact same security concerns, could become one protected zone and cross border between the two would be rather inconsequential.

There is no reason this couldn't be done if the powers-that-be wanted it done.

 

[me_little_me]

I edited your comment to relect reality:

You know you would think in this day and age that the US and Canada, two friendly nations having the exact same security concerns, could become one protected zone and cross border between the two would be rather inconsequential.

There is no reason this couldn't be done if the powers-that-be wanted it done.

Two neighbors who have a certain amount of dislike for each other in spite of their common heritage and overall aims being the same.

Two neighbors with concerns over their other's security policies, immigration policies, trade policies, and people policies.

Your conclusion is correct. If the powers-that-be...

 

[zephyr17]

I'd agree but add "in the current climate". VIA's Atlantic did this on every trip and there's a long history of sleeper trains crossing at both Michigan and NY State borders. Those were the days when life was more normal.

They were also the days when you could cross the Canadian border with a driver's license and telling them where you were born.

Those days are gone and are not coming back.

 

[enviro5609]

They were also the days when you could cross the Canadian border with a driver's license and telling them where you were born.

Those days are gone and are not coming back.

You still can (aside from COVID-19 restrictions), depending on what state you live in and what kind of license you have. Many northern and northeast states offer drivers licenses that are compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

For instance, in NY if you have an "enhanced" drivers license (which just requires proof of citizenship in addition the regular residency requirements) you can travel to Canada, Mexico and even some Caribbean countries via land or sea. Most don't bother because it costs a little more than a regular license. But if you live near the border its super convenient.

 

[zephyr17]

Few states offer EDLs. FYI, my own, Washington is one of the few. They are not "just" a driver's license, they require more documentation, and an in person interview to get. They are also considerably more expensive than a regular DL.

I haven't bothered with an EDL, since I have both a passport and a NEXUS card. The NEXUS card is gold for Canadian border crossings, as well as providing Global Entry and TSA Pre Check privileges.

 

[enviro5609]

Few states offer EDLs. FYI, my own, Washington is one of the few. They are not "just" a driver's license, they require more documentation, and an in person interview to get. They are also considerably more expensive than a regular DL.

I haven't bothered with an EDL, since I have both a passport and a NEXUS card. The NEXUS card is gold for Canadian border crossings, as well as providing Global Entry and TSA Pre Check privileges.

In-person interview? Yikes. NY just asks for the extra documentation proving you are a U.S. citizen (usually just birth certificate or naturalization paperwork, which most people bring anyway) and an extra $30.

 

[zephyr17]

In-person interview? Yikes. NY just asks for the extra documentation proving you are a U.S. citizen (usually just birth certificate or naturalization paperwork, which most people bring anyway) and an extra $30.

The first time. I think you may be able to renew a WA EDL by mail, but you can't go from a regular WA DL to and EDL without one.

 

[Emmo213]

That proposed Elyria to Chicago trip would be pretty enticing.