Amtrak’s Hoosier State line appears back on track

The uncertain path of Amtrak’s Hoosier State line took another curve Monday when state officials said they are close to a deal to keep it running for the long term.

The Indiana Department of Transportation said it has reached an “understanding” with federal railway officials to keep the Chicago-to-Indianapolis route running.

A disagreement between INDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration about who would be responsible for rail safety had threatened to close down the line.

Under the agreement, Amtrak and partner Iowa Pacific Holdings would assume responsibility for safety and INDOT would oversee to make sure they complied with the rules.

Last month, INDOT announced the rail service would end April 1 but a week later extended the closure 30 days.

INDOT had said the FRA’s insistence that the state act as the rail carrier under the proposed partnership with Amtrak and Iowa Pacific was too expensive to keep the train running.

But the FRA has changed that requirement.

“INDOT and the FRA share the guiding principles of access to safe mobility,” said INDOT Commissioner Karl Browning in a news release. “Based on these guiding principles, we are both committed to a path toward continuing the Hoosier State service.”

The deal isn’t final and will require inspections by Amtrak and the FRA, as well as U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspections of Iowa Pacific equipment.

The Hoosier State runs four days a week, once a day, from Indianapolis to Chicago with stops in four Indiana cities. On three other days, the Cardinal runs along the same route at the same time.

Call Star reporter John Tuohy at 317 444-6418 and follow on Twitter @john_tuohy.