An Amtrak train will pass through downtown Ponca City on Friday morning as part of an initiative to evaluate the potential for restoring passenger rail service here.

Amtrak will operate the limited capacity one-way inspection train Friday from Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Mo. Return transportation will not be provided.

The purpose of the trip is to see the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and explore the opportunity to extend Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer passenger rail service north to Newton, where it can connect with the existing Amtrak Southwest Chief route.

The train will operate on the schedule shown below. The stops in will take place at the former Santa Fe stations in each city.

In Ponca City, the depot is on Oklahoma Avenue west of First Street. Ponca City residents are invited and encouraged to welcome the train in support of restoring train service here.

For more information about this event, contact Todd Stennis with Amtrak at [email protected].

June 9 Amtrak inspection train schedule

All times below are estimated departure times, unless otherwise noted:

• 7:45 a.m. — Oklahoma City Santa Fe Station (downtown)
• 8:30 a.m. — Guthrie, Oklahoma
• 9:15 a.m. — Perry, Oklahoma
• 10 a.m. — Ponca City, Oklahoma
• 10:45 a.m. — Arkansas City
• 12:05 p.m. — Wichita
• 1 p.m. — Newton
• 2:20 p.m. — Emporia
• 3:45 p.m. — Topeka
• 5:30 p.m. (projected arrival time) — Kansas City Union Station