International (Amtrak train)

International
A Via Rail EMD F40PH leads the International with Amtrak Hi-Level and Superliner coaches into East Lansing in 1996
Overview
Service typeIntercity rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleMidwestern United States/Southern Ontario
PredecessorBlue Water Limited
First serviceOctober 31, 1982
Last serviceApril 23, 2004
SuccessorBlue Water
Former operator(s)Amtrak/Via Rail
Route
TerminiChicago, Illinois
Toronto, Ontario
Stops19
Distance travelled502 mi (808 km)
Average journey time10 hours 47 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)
  • 364, 365, 367 (Amtrak)
  • 88, 85, 685 (Via)
On-board services
Class(es)Reserved coach
Catering facilitiesOn-board cafe
Technical
Rolling stockSuperliner coaches
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The International (formerly International Limited) was a named passenger train operated between Chicago and Toronto. It was originally an overnight train operated by the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada and its successors the Canadian National Railway and Grand Trunk Western Railroad, running as far as Montreal. The train was cut back to Port Huron, Michigan, in 1970 and discontinued in 1971.

In 1982, Amtrak and Via Rail revived the route by extending Amtrak's Blue Water Limited from Port Huron to Toronto. It was renamed as the International the next year. The service was initially successful but encountered numerous funding crises in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Substantial delays crossing the international border after the September 11th attacks, combined with freight congestion and the 2003 SARS outbreak, drastically reduced ridership. In 2004, the train was replaced with the Blue Water, which offered a better interstate schedule and higher reliability.