Pere Marquette

R O UTE G U I D E

Chicago • holl and • Grand Rapids

We hope you enjoy reading this guide and learning about points of interest along our route. It
is written starting from the southern terminus of the train in Chicago and proceeds around the
southern tip of Lake Michigan to points northwest, ending in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you
boarded in Grand Rapids, just read the guide in reverse, remembering to look in the opposite
direction if one is referenced.
AMTRAK STATIONS are shown in all capital letters, as opposed to towns and cities through
which the train passes but does not stop. The Amtrak System Timetable or Pere Marquette ®

wallet card should be consulted for actual station times. While all service presented in this guide
was accurate at the time of publication, routes and services are subject to change. Please contact
Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL, visit Amtrak.com, or call your travel agent for the most current
information.
Some 12 million people live along the shores of Lake Michigan, sometimes referred to as the
“third coast” after those on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The only one of the Great Lakes
entirely within U.S. borders, its beaches are known for their soft, off-white, high quartz-content
sand, sometimes called “singing sand” for the unique noise it makes when beach-goers walk
along it. From the beach grass, sand cherries and Petoskey stones deposited 350 million years ago
on the borders of this, the fifth largest lake in the world, to the banks of the Grand River, the Pere
Marquette connects cities, landscapes and waterways punctuated by modern skylines at each end.
It all renders this 176-mile trip both beautiful and memorable --- “one of the nation’s loveliest
short-distance trains,” according to Passenger Train Journal magazine. You’ll want to keep your
camera handy as you share your experiences with family, friends and new acquaintances.
[The Pere Marquette obtained its name from a defunct passenger railroad of the same name,
which had taken its own moniker from Father Jacques Marquette, a French missionary who
founded Michigan’s first European settlement in 1671, Sault Ste. Marie. Established in 1900, the
Pere Marquette Railway (PM) was merged with the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O)
in 1947, and has since become a part of CSX Transportation. Amtrak service, in partnership with
the Michigan Department of Transportation, was christened Pere Marquette in honor of those
traditions in 1984. A facsimile of the steam locomotive that originally powered the train was seen
in the 2004 film, The Polar Express. Interestingly, the PM also operated a number of rail car ferries
on Lake Michigan in its day.]
 W e l com e A b o a r d

CHICAGO Vibrant and energetic, Chicago is the industrial core of the

Midwest and a major transportation hub. In the heart of America’s
Chicago agriculture belt, it is a leading distributor of farm products. Its many
IL-IN State Line regional food specialties reflect the city’s ethnic and working class roots.
IN-MI State Line
Its spirit is also exemplified in its unique architecture; here is where
the word “skyscraper” originated in 1885. The arts and sciences are
ST. JOSEPH- also alive here, with an abundance of world-renowned theaters and
BENTON HARBOR, MI museums. Most Amtrak long-distance trains originate or terminate here.
BANGOR, MI
As we pull out of the covered platforms in the station, look left for an
impressive view of the city skyline. Among its magnificent structures
HOLLAND, MI are the Sears Tower, Daley Center and John Hancock Building. Soon,
Grand Rapids again on the left, is Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.
We now cross the South Branch of the Chicago River, famous for its
backwards flow, and where ships ply Great Lakes ports along the
Illinois and Michigan Canal. Sanitary engineers reversed its flow in the
early 1900s to prevent epidemics. As we cross the Rock Island Railroad
Relax and enjoy the comfort of train travel as you take in the
at Englewood, imagine the intense rivalry between the Twentieth
shoreline of Lake Michigan and its scenic landscapes through
Century and Broadway Limited trains as they raced one another to
Illinois, northern Indiana and western Michigan. From the
New York decades ago. Of note is the New Regal Theater, originally
vibrancy of Chicago to the museums and attractions of Grand
an “atmospheric” motion picture palace where the audience sat in an
Rapids, you’ll enjoy superb service and amenities. We are
imaginary courtyard under the stars. Today, it is a showcase for live
happy to have you onboard today and want to ensure you trip
entertainment. The cemetery on the left is where Harold Washington,
is everything you want it to be. If there is anything that can be
done to make your trip more enjoyable, please do not hesitate
the city’s first African American mayor, is buried.
to ask any Amtrak employee. Soon, we cross the Illinois/Indiana state line, followed shortly thereafter
by the Indiana/ Michigan border.
The Train Staff
Illinois/Indiana/Michigan State Lines
The staff of the Pere Marquette is here to make your trip a
special and enjoyable experience. New Buffalo has become a popular resort town owing to its lakeshore
location and proximity to Chicago. Various festivals, boat parades and
Conductor is responsible for the On-Board Services staff as beach celebrations throughout the year testify to its reliance upon
well as ticket collection, the safety of passengers and the safe tourism. A casino built in 2007 brought thousands of new jobs to the
operation of the train. area. Famous summer residents include television’s Dennis Farina, the
ex-Chicago cop and erstwhile Law and Order detective Joe Fontana;
ACCOMMODATIONS film critic Roger Ebert; and Harley-Davidson CEO James Ziemer.
Coach seating provides a wide reclining seat with foot rest,
ST. JOSEPH-BENTON HARBOR constitutes what is known locally
folding tray table and overhead reading light.
as the “Twin Cities.” St. Joseph established a water route to carry
mail to Chicago in 1825. The business evolved into major shipping
HOST RAILROADS are the freight and commuter railroads
and steam lines that survived into the 1950s. St. Joseph might have
that Amtrak contracts with to operate Amtrak passenger
taken the place of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in aviation history had
trains. The Pere Marquette trains operate between Chicago
native Augustus Moore Herring been able to achieve controlled flight
and Porter, Indiana over the tracks of the Norfolk Southern
when his craft lifted off for seven seconds in 1898; that feat fell to the
Railway, and on the tracks of CSX Transportation between
Wright Brothers five years later. In 1911, the company that evolved
Porter and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
into the Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of
Information contained in this route guide as well as described home appliances, was born here; today, it maintains a presence in
amenities and features are subject to change without notice. While both communities. Benton Harbor’s Sarett Nature Center comprises a
gratuities are not required for services provided, it is an appreciated 300-acre wildlife sanctuary with trails, an interpretative building and
way to convey to an employee that he or she has made your trip more Jean Klock Park on the lake. St. Joseph hosts one of only three Venetian
enjoyable. Festivals in the U.S. each July. Based on carnevale in Venice, Italy in
the 1600s, the festival features food, contests, music, fireworks and a
lighted boat parade. Actor and comedian David Adkins – better known
as Sinbad – hails from Benton Harbor.
BANGOR was settled in 1834 by Charles Cross and J.R. Monroe,
who were sent to survey land Cross’s uncle had acquired from the
government. A new township was organized in 1853, dubbed Bangor at
the suggestion of a Maine native. A large quantity of giant hardwoods
provided for building materials and a source of commerce. After
its depletion, apple, pickle and blueberry farming became the new
economic base of the community. In 1981, the Bangor Train Factory was

Pere Marquette Route Guide 2

set up in the old train depot to manufacture G-scale model trains under GRAND RAPIDS Michigan’s second largest city, located on the banks
the banner of the Kalamazoo Toy Trains. Within two years, its products of the Grand River where there was once a set of rapids, was created
were used as prizes on the television game show The Price is Right, and on May 1, 1850. It was home to one of the first scheduled passenger
a train set was presented to then-president Reagan. Unfortunately, the airlines in the U.S., Stout Air Services, with flights to Ford Airport
operation succumbed to lower-priced foreign competition in 1991. In in Detroit in 1926. The city became a major lumbering center and
2005, the depot, built by the former Pere Marquette Railroad in 1926, manufacturer of furniture; the office variety is the focus of its industry
was restored and rededicated. today. The Furniture Manufacturers Association was organized here in
1881. In 1880, it installed the country’s first hydroelectric generator,
HOLLAND is known for its Dutch history and heritage, having been
and in 1945, Grand Rapids was first in the U.S. to add fluoride to
settled in 1847 by Calvinist separatists escaping religious persecution
drinking water. The late and former President, Gerald Ford, is buried
in the Netherlands. Known also as the “City of Churches,” it is home to
on the grounds of his Presidential Museum here in the town where he
the church that kicked off the “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelet trend
grew up. Recently, the city has attracted businesses focusing on health
in 1989. The Holland Museum, Cappon House Museum and Settlers
sciences. The annual Festival of the Arts began in 1969. In 2004, the
House Museum contain exhibits pertaining to the city’s history, and its
premier of the film The Polar Express was held here, the setting for the
downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
movie and home of the book’s author and main character. The Frederik
Across the channel is the Holland Harbor Light, a lighthouse known
Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is Michigan’s second most popular
locally as “Big Red.” Zwaan, an original 250-year-old Dutch windmill,
destination after the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
is situated in a municipal park on Windmill Island. The H.J. Heinz
Company operates the world’s largest pickle factory here – at the same
location since 1897. The Tulip Time Festival in May attracts big-name
entertainment acts and tourists who visit attractions such as Dutch
Village and Veldheer Tulip Gardens. Money Magazine recently named
the city as one of its five top places to retire.

Pere Marquette Route Guide 3

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© National Railroad Passenger Corporation 11/09