Amtrak drops opposition to EJ&E sale

The passenger service says it's agreed with the company that's vying to purchase the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway line that loops around Chicago.

Amtrak had worried Canadian National would stop maintaining other Chicago-area tracks if it purchased the EJ&E. It had feared that would jeopardize Amtrak service south to Champaign, Carbondale and other cities.

CN has now agreed to keep maintaining those tracks.

But Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says ending its opposition isn't the same as active support. He say Amtrak is now taking a "neutral position" on the $300 million sale.

Many suburbs bitterly oppose CN's plans to more than triple traffic on the EJ&E.

(This version CORRECTS that the affected city includes Champaign instead of Springfield.)