Kalamazoo Amtrak Station

[Crow T Robot]

I might be going to Kalamazoo this weekend are you allowed to hang around the Amtrak Station? Any other areas worth checking out? Is there usually a lot or enough parking available down by the station? Most important is there a lot of thru train traffic in the area?

[Michigan Railfan]

I'm going to Kalamazoo as well this weekend for a bowling tournament. Were gonna head over to the AirZoo, which sounds pretty fun for plane fanatics. An air show and museum of vintage planes.

[atrainguy60]

Amtrak goes through Kalamazoo 6 times a day, 3 each way. I think there are 2 or 3 Grand Elk trains a day that go south out of the yard in eastern Kalamazoo to Elkhart. I'm not sure about how often GDLK trains go north to Grand Rapids. I don't think GDLK passes by the Amtrak station, but they should be visible to the east of the station when they turn south or cross the diamonds going to/from Grand Rapids.

[Saturnalia]

Amtrak goes through Kalamazoo 6 times a day, 3 each way. I think there are 2 or 3 Grand Elk trains a day that go south out of the yard in eastern Kalamazoo to Elkhart. I'm not sure about how often GDLK trains go north to Grand Rapids. I don't think GDLK passes by the Amtrak station, but they should be visible to the east of the station when they turn south or cross the diamonds going to/from Grand Rapids. I don't know about the parking and hanging out at the station.

That'd be 4 each way (Blue Water joins @ Battle Creek )

[Ypsi]

Amtrak goes through Kalamazoo 6 times a day, 3 each way. I think there are 2 or 3 Grand Elk trains a day that go south out of the yard in eastern Kalamazoo to Elkhart. I'm not sure about how often GDLK trains go north to Grand Rapids. I don't think GDLK passes by the Amtrak station, but they should be visible to the east of the station when they turn south or cross the diamonds going to/from Grand Rapids. I don't know about the parking and hanging out at the station.

That'd be 4 each way (Blue Water joins @ Battle Creek )

No it's 6; 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, and 355.


Not sure if parking is affected by this but when trains stop they block one or two streets causing a real bottle neck by the station

[atrainguy60]

The Blue Water doesn't switch from CN to NS in Battle Creek anymore?

[Saturnalia]

Amtrak goes through Kalamazoo 6 times a day, 3 each way. I think there are 2 or 3 Grand Elk trains a day that go south out of the yard in eastern Kalamazoo to Elkhart. I'm not sure about how often GDLK trains go north to Grand Rapids. I don't think GDLK passes by the Amtrak station, but they should be visible to the east of the station when they turn south or cross the diamonds going to/from Grand Rapids. I don't know about the parking and hanging out at the station.

That'd be 4 each way (Blue Water joins @ Battle Creek )

No it's 6; 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, and 355.


Not sure if parking is affected by this but when trains stop they block one or two streets causing a real bottle neck by the station

WRONG!

Old timetable (prior to this whole maintenance thing) was (all times EDT):
350: 11:00
351: 9:50
352: 15:43
353: 14:36
354: 21:32
355: 21:18
364: 19:42
365: 10:23

[Standard Railfan]

There is no problem hanging out at the Amtrak station as it is also the city bus terminal. There is a parking lot just west of the station that is metered. The sign by the entrance declares parking is limited to 2 hours. The parking meters indicate that Friday 5pm to Monday am is free parking. I parked there from 930 am to 8pm last Saturday with no problems.

GDLK crosses the NS/ Amtrak main just east of the station and in clear view from the platform.

[J T]

I might be going to Kalamazoo this weekend are you allowed to hang around the Amtrak Station?

You can hang out there...just watch your back.

[Ypsi]

WRONG!

Old timetable (prior to this whole maintenance thing) was (all times EDT):
350: 11:00
351: 9:50
352: 15:43
353: 14:36
354: 21:32
355: 21:18
364: 19:42
365: 10:23

ahh sorry MQT, had my stations all mixed up... for some reason in my mind it went Jackson-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

[GTW6401]

I might be going to Kalamazoo this weekend are you allowed to hang around the Amtrak Station?

You can hang out there...just watch your back.

Truly need to keep an eye out with the homeless shelter across the street from the depot. Theres usually a lot of people lingering around outside of it.

[A No.1]

Amtrak goes through Kalamazoo 6 times a day, 3 each way. I think there are 2 or 3 Grand Elk trains a day that go south out of the yard in eastern Kalamazoo to Elkhart. I'm not sure about how often GDLK trains go north to Grand Rapids. I don't think GDLK passes by the Amtrak station, but they should be visible to the east of the station when they turn south or cross the diamonds going to/from Grand Rapids. I don't know about the parking and hanging out at the station.

That'd be 4 each way (Blue Water joins @ Battle Creek )

No it's 6; 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, and 355.

AND 364 and 365


Ok, already stated. Ive been working to much and Im Tired.

[GP30M4216]

BO Tower and the Grand Elk diamonds are about 3 blocks east of the Amtrak station....I've made the walk between the two many times and have had no trouble with the locals, just mind your own business. The exercise is good too! No freight currently passes the depot, but pretty much any freight that comes through Kalamazoo does pass BO Tower. The Amtrak station is nice....beautifully restored, and with a nice wide platform. The vibe at a busy train station at train time is something which can't be found many other places. I usually park on Burdick Street, which runs along the east side of the station, if I'm just there for a quick photo, there are meters but I've never seen them checked. The lot across Rose to the west side is best if you plan to be there for more than about 3 minutes.

Have fun and let us know what you see!

[J T]

I've made the walk between the two many times and have had no trouble with the locals, just mind your own business.

In other words, don't make any eye contact.

[bctrainfan]

Other than the above mentioned occasional wino type, I would feel pretty safe about hanging out at the Kalamazoo station. The BO tower is just east of the station. Also, GDLK's Gearhart Yard (ex-NS Botsford yard) is a short distance east, take E. Michigan Ave east from downtown and turn right on Mill St (right before the RR bridge over Michigan Ave) and go a block or two. Yard is on your left. I dont think anyone will object if you just pull into their parking lot for a couple pics, usually some of their power, MOW stuff and a caboose are right there. Obviously, though, i wouldn't be out of my car wandering around there or anything as that may bring up trespass/safety issues.

[Michigan Railfan]

I'm glad my hotel has free wi-fi If you're in Kalamazoo, google the address for Fat Tony's Bar & Grill. Just ate there a few hours ago, and it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Pretty much right in downtown.

[MagnumForce]

6 Wolverines a day and 2 Blue Waters, I count 8.