Merritt loses job as railroad exec, a role critics called conflict
As chairman of Senate Utilities Committee, Sen. James Merritt supported numerous bills favored by big utilities, the railroad’s biggest customer. Now he’s out of a job.
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Company has bigger plans for Indianapolis to Chicago train
Iowa Pacific Holdings envisions Amtrak trains traveling between Chicago and Indianapolis 14 times a day.
Indiana, private carrier ink deal for Hoosier Line
The Indiana Department of Transportation says four-days-per-week passenger rail service between Chicago and Indianapolis has begun under a two-year contract with Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings.
Iowa Pacific rail partnership launch delayed in Indiana
The Indiana Department of Transportation has asked Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State Line between Indianapolis and Chicago until the state can negotiate contracts with Amtrak, Iowa Pacific Holdings and communities served by the route.
Indy’s Golden Age in 1920s shows way forward
In the 1920s, Indianapolis was one of the most innovative cities in the nation. But after “the dark tragedy of the roaring twenties,” Indianapolis lost its edginess for decades and only recently has begun to regain it.
Late budget bill addition restores Hoosier State Line funding
The Indiana Department of Transportation’s effort to continue and improve the Hoosier State Rail Line has been rescued by a tax-amnesty program passed by state lawmakers.
Iowa Pacific wants to increase routes on Hoosier State Line
Iowa Pacific Holdings Inc. President Ed Ellis he wants to increase round trips for the Indianapolis-to-Chicago line from four a week to 12 per day. And he wants to decrease one-way travel to less than two hours.
Hoosier State Line to remain running under new agreement
The Hoosier State passenger rail line between Indianapolis and Chicago appears to be back on track toward a long-term future, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced Monday.
New policy concerns states supporting short Amtrak routes
INDOT has said it would only reconsider its move to end the Hoosier State line if the FRA or U.S. Department of Transportation reversed the new rail carrier policy.
Indianapolis-Chicago Amtrak service extended to April
State officials say a 60-day extension for the Amtrak line allows time for them to complete negotiations to keep it running long-term.
Rail upgrade could boost jobs but sparks fears
Plans to upgrade more than 100 miles of train tracks between Indianapolis and Kentucky are getting mixed reactions in Indiana.
Indiana Rail Road founder to retire next year
Thomas G. Hoback will retire from the Indiana Rail Road Co. on June 30, 2015, and CSX Transportation executive Peter Mills will take his place.
Ex-exec says INDOT ignored problems with Amtrak line bid
A former executive with a company once in the running to manage an Amtrak line between Indianapolis and Chicago said the company lacked financing and experience.
INDOT breaks off negotiations on Amtrak rail service
The Indiana Department of Transportation has ended contract negotiations with a private contractor to provide passenger rail cars, marketing and other services between Indianapolis and Chicago.
Ridership drop another blow to Indy-Chicago rail line
The Hoosier State line that runs from Indianapolis to Chicago saw a 10-percent decline in revenue and a nearly 8-percent drop in ridership for its fiscal year.
Fourteen hurt in Indiana Amtrak crash with semi
An Amtrak train traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago collided Tuesday morning with a semitrailer in its path along northwestern Indiana rail tracks, injuring at 14 people aboard the train, police said.
INDOT faces time crunch on Chicago rail line
State officials are still negotiating with a Chicago firm chosen to take over the Hoosier State rail service from Amtrak. The deal is supposed to be complete by Feb. 1.
Museum keeps historic trains rolling through central Indiana
Founded in 1960, the Indiana Transportation Museum has been working for decades to preserve the Nickel Plate Railroad’s legacy by offering guests what it calls “moving experiences”—literally.
UPDATE: Amtrak angles to keep control of Hoosier State route
A little-used, delay-plagued passenger rail line from Indianapolis to Chicago has become a battleground, as Amtrak tries to fend off competition invited by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
UPDATE: Indiana rail upgrade decision expected this fall
The proposal from Louisville & Indiana Railroad and CSX Transportation would allow the line between Indianapolis and Louisville to handle larger and faster trains.