Lake Country Limited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service type | Inter-city rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Discontinued | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | April 15, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last service | September 23, 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Amtrak | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start | Chicago, Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of intermediate stops | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End | Janesville, Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 98 miles (158 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | Daily | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Train number(s) | 343/344 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baggage facilities | Carry-on only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | Horizon or Amfleet coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track owner(s) | Metra, WSOR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Lake Country Limited was a short-lived Amtrak route which connected Chicago, Illinois, with Janesville, Wisconsin. The route was part of the proposed "Skyline Connection," which never materialized.
Trains originated at Chicago's Union Station and ran north over the tracks of Metra's Milwaukee District/North Line. Northwest of Fox Lake, Illinois, it ran over tracks owned by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad to a temporary platform outside of Janesville. The poor condition of the Fox Lake–Janesville stretch limited trains to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h).[1]
The initial route was Chicago–Glenview–Janesville; in June 2000 an additional stop was added at Zenda, WI to serve Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a popular resort community.
The train consisted of one coach car, one engine, and one non-powered control unit.