Iowa passenger trains could have new equipment

New locomotives and cars for passenger trains to Dubuque and Iowa City are included in a $782 million funding packaged announced this week by the Federal Railroad Administration. The trains' eventual operation, especially the Iowa City service, still depend on Iowa coming up with its share of the required subsidy.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Thursday that Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri will split $268.2 million to buy "next-generation, American-made trains" for corridor service.

The Midwest equipment is part of a $782 million package that also includes equipment for existing services in Washington State and California. In addition to the money shared with other states, Illinois receives $233.8 million in matching funds for cars and locomotives.

Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation are developing a Chicago-Dubuque service, and Iowa DOT is participating in planning a Chicago-Iowa City route. The Dubuque service would be almost entirely Illinois' responsibility, while Iowa's participation is required to extend a planned Chicago-Moline route to Iowa City.

The FRA approved a $230 million grant last October for trains on the Chicago-Iowa City route to begin  running in 2015, but Gov. Terry Branstad won't commit to funding Iowa's $3 million-a-year operating subsidy the service would require. Backers hope to advance the project in next year's legislative session.

Still, Thursday's announcement clears one potential hurdle. The 2008 feasibility study noted "the current car supply situation at Amtrak is extremely tight and it is likely that equipment for this service would have to be generated from our storage inventory and scheduled for heavy repair in a car shop, thus requiring significant initial rehabilitation expenditures and time."

The study called for rebuilding enough equipment to supply each twice-daily roundtrip with two or three coaches and a single food-service car, at $5.3 million to $7.4 million.

The package announced by the FRA calls for seven locomotives and 48 bi-level passenger cars. The new equipment would be assigned to several routes out of Chicago.

"That would include the new service for Chicago to Dubuque," said Josh Kauffman, spokesman for the Illinois DOT. As for the Iowa City trains, "that would be determined at a later time."

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari noted the new equipment would also free existing rolling stock for new or expanded services.

Iowa DOT officials haven't yet responded to requests for comment.

The new cars and locomotives will be designed to run up to 110 mph and would likely also operate between Chicago and St. Louis, where Illinois and the federal government are funding improvements for expanded higher-speed rail service.

The federal money includes a strict "Buy Anerica" requirement. The new trains' design will be developed by a state-led Next Generation Equipment Committee, according to LaHood.

"This will provide manufacturers with consistent specifications for all passenger trains in the United States, reducing costs for manufacturers and customers, while providing a boost to the railcar manufacturing industry," according to the FRA.