Amtrak reaches tentative agreement on Kansas, Missouri lines

Amtrak and the Kansas City Terminal Railway Co. have reached a tentative agreement to keep open local lines previously scheduled for closure.

The Kansas City Terminal Railway Co., which controls tracks in the central part of Kansas City and is owned by six railroads including Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific Railway Co., said it couldn’t afford some $32 million to install safety systems on railroads. Congress set a Dec. 31 deadline for completion of the upgrades.

Without funding, Amtrak posited a shutdown or reroute of the Southwest Chief train connecting Chicago, Kansas City and Los Angeles, and eliminating the River Runner line between Kansas City and St. Louis.

According to the AP, an Amtrak spokesman said the train lines will remain in service but an official agreement has not been finalized.

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