By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Train enthusiasts from St. Louis offer to
lend the state a passenger train if Amtrak cuts services.
Amtrak says it needs about one and a quarter million dollars from Missouri to keep twice-daily trains between St. Louis and Kansas City running from March through June.
Otherwise, one of the trains would be parked.
Now the American Association of Railroaders says it's willing to
lend four locomotives and several passenger cars. The state would
have to hire the engineers and conductors.
Brian Weiler of the Department of Transportation says the offer will be considered.
The transportation department also has an inquiry from Herzog Traisit of St. Joseph. Herzog operates commuter rail lines in
California, Texas and Florida, and maintains railroad tracks in other states.