UP Canal St yard - Trains Magazine

HarveyK400:

I wonder if the discontinued operations at the UP Canal St yard in Chicago would offer an opportunity for expanded Amtrak/HSR maintenance and yard facilities?

Brings up a whole host of questions:

1. How close to full is 14th st yard (AMTRAK's present) at any time of the day? If not full how many more each of cars and locos can be handled there?

2. How far from Union station to Canal St yard? How long to ferry to/from Canal St?

3. How many track miles of CAT will be needed to get equipment to/from Canal ST and not disrupt present and future traffic?

4. Are yard tracks long enough to hold complete train sets both present plans and maybe future?

5. Can needed shelter (both open and enclosed) be built?

6. What would be the present and future capacity potential of Canal St in reference to Items 4 & 5 since some tracks might be lost?