Canada’s VIA Rail confirmed Nov. 14 that it is engaged with Amtrak and other rail operators in discussions aimed at extending Amtrak’s existing Chicago-Detroit Wolverine service to Toronto’s downtown Union Station.  Amtrak confirmed the same day that “We are in conversations with local, state and provincial officials about a proposed service.”  Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) for its part deferred to the two publicly owned passenger railroads for comment.  The scheme would see passenger trains returning to the 113-year-old Detroit River Tunnel owned by CPKC. A little remarked condition of the CPKC merger approval was that the merged railroad would open the tunnel to Amtrak, after years of frustrated efforts by Amtrak to revive direct Detroit-Toronto service, last operated in 1967.  The CPKC merger was backed by Amtrak, which said the two railroads had been positive partners and would advance opportunities for new passenger services.

Amtrak-VIA Rail May Return to Detroit River Tunnel After 56 Years, November 14, 2023, www.railwayage.com