High Speed Rail Gets Test Run

(AP) – Illinois is about to hit a modest milestone in President Barack Obama’s high-speed rail vision.Test runs are scheduled to start zooming along a small section of the Amtrak line between Chicago and St. Louis at 110 mph on Friday.The 30-mph increase from the route’s current top speed is a morale booster for advocates of high-speed rail who have watched conservatives in Congress put the brakes on spending for fast train projects.But some rail experts question whether the route can become profitable, or whether it will pose serious competition to air and automobile travel.U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Gov. Pat Quinn are scheduled to be on board when the train hits 110 mph. The 15-mile test section is between Dwight and Pontiac.