More coverage of National Train Day, this time in the Jackson Citizen-Patriot
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/jackson/index.ssf/2010/05/on_saturday_celebrate_national.html

Jackson’s Amtrak Station, the oldest continuously operated, railroad designed and built passenger train station in the country, will be part of the third annual National Train Day celebration Saturday.

The family friendly event will feature interactive and educational train exhibits, a model railroad display, train travel planning, and a lecture on the historic station and the railroads that came into Jackson at 11 a.m.

The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Central Michigan Model Railroad Club, Blue Water Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and Michigan Operation Lifesaver will be on hand for the festivities.

The free event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. at Jackson’s Amtrak depot, 501 E. Michigan Ave.

For more information about National Train Day, visit www.nationaltrainday.com.

From The Kalamazoo Gazette

KALAMAZOO — The state has asked Amtrak to add another train from Kalamazoo to Chicago’s Union Station.

Although it is too early to determine how likely the expanded service is — or how it would be funded — Amtrak could make a decision by the end of the summer, said Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesman for the Chicago regional office.

“It’s not a route that’s unfamiliar to us,” Magliari said. “We’re not starting from scratch, since we already operate from Chicago to Kalamazoo. That should shorten the amount of time to look at this.”

The proposed train would leave Chicago at 11 p.m. EST, stopping in Hammond, Ind., New Buffalo, Niles and Dowagiac before reaching Kalamazoo. It would remain in Kalamazoo overnight then leave at 6 a.m. and make the reverse trek back to Illinois, said Janet Foran, a Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

Kalamazoo already has four Chicago-bound trains daily. The first leaves around 9:50 a.m. and the last train returns to Kalamazoo at about 9:30 p.m.

Five Michigan lawmakers, including Reps. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, and Matt Lori, R-Constantine, requested a new line in a letter to MDOT.

“It would allow southwestern Michigan residents the opportunity to spend a full day in Chicago — conducting business, working, attending to medical needs … and return home in one day on the train,” the letter said.
Originally appeared:
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/04/michigan_asks_amtrak_for_anoth.html

From WSJM-AM 1400

The Michigan Department of Transportation said on Wednesday that it will make a formal request to Amtrak to add an additional train service in Southwest Michigan between Chicago and Kalamazoo. Last week, several state lawmakers — including State Representatives Sharon Tyler, Tonya Schuitmaker, and John Proos — sent a letter to MDOT, asking that the agency pursue such an addition. Representative Proos says that more rail service to the region would have several benefits:

They’re asking for an additional train leaving Chicago Union Station every evening at ten PM, and a return trip leaving Kalamazoo at six AM every morning. The proposed train will make stops in Hammond, New Buffalo, Niles, Dowagiac and Kalamazoo. Proos said the request will now be made by MDOT, and Amtrak will formally make the decision.

Hear an audio clip at:
http://www.wsjm.com/pages/6919921.php?

More coverage of National Train Day, this time in The South Bend Tribune:

NILES — Train lovers rejoice — a day has been set aside just for you.

Several area train stations will host celebrations May 8 in conjunction with the third annual National Train Day.

At the Niles train depot at 589 Dey St., the event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature several interactive and education exhibits from various organizations.

The Four Flags Garden Club will be re-enacting a tradition that will include all of the women at the station receiving carnations. There also will be information about the club reconstructing a famous garden from the late 1800s that was formerly at the depot, Lisa Croteau, director of marketing and administration of the Niles DDA Main Street, said.

J.R. Valderas, of Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, also will be on hand, to show video footage of past trains coming into the station, while the Cass County Model Railroad Club will be running a model railroad.
Read More:
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100428/NEWS01/4280317

From Concentrate

The Fuller Road Transit Station is well on its way to becoming a reality, wrapping up the public input meetings next week and going through the city approval process this summer.

“In the coming weeks there will be a formal submission to the city planning commission,” says Eli Cooper, transportation manager for the city of Ann Arbor.

But first local leaders (a combination of city and University of Michigan officials) must hold the last public meeting at 7 p.m. May 6 in the City Hall at the corner of Huron and Fifth Avenue in downtown Ann Arbor. After that, look for those officials to submit designs to the city Planning Commission in May and then go before City Council by late summer or early fall. Full approval could be in hand by this fall, bringing the process full circle.

Read more:http://www.concentratemedia.com/devnews/fullerroadstationannarbor0101.aspx