This is a curiosity question directed to my friends and fellow members in Michigan. We like Grand Rapids and usually get there at least twice a year for concerts, shows and other events. We have a good relationship with a downtown hotel and even have a favorite restaurant that we dine in every time. However it's a very long one-day drive from home, so we started kicking around the idea of going by Amtrak. (Okay, my wife thought it was a dumb idea, but this is the only Amtrak route-miles we haven't done previously in MI.) We have frequent flyer miles to burn, so getting to Chicago is easy and cheap. What I don't understand is the strange scheduling of the Pere Marquette. Why so late leaving Chicago and so early leaving GR? Is it equipment utilization or are some of the intermediate stops considered "commuter" distance for people who work days in Chicago? Just curious...