Amtrak Could Move Rail Service Out Of Kansas By 2016

Amtrak officials say if money isn’t found by the end of 2014 to fix railroad lines it uses in Kansas, the rail service will likely move one of its routes out of the state by 2016.

The track Amtrak uses for its Southwest Chief route is owned by BNSF Railway. The rail line between Hutchinson and Garden City is in such bad shape that Amtrak is forced to slow down its trains in Kansas.

The Hutchinson News reports Amtrak officials said Thursday in Garden City that the rail service would need some assurance by 2014 that funds will be found to upgrade the line, or Amtrak will start the process of moving the route.

Officials in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico are working to find funding.