Fort Madison, IA (FMD)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2009

$726,216

Station Ridership

FY 2009

7,813

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

The current Amtrak station in Fort Madison was built in 1968 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (now BNSF Railway) in a brick and metal siding design. The station, at the east end of a freight yard used by the BNSF Railway, came into use when the original combined passenger and freight depot was closed.

Using monies that Amtrak received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the depot at Fort Madison will receive a new wheelchair lift and enclosure, as well as improvements to the crossing to the platform. In addition, a new curb cut will ease travel between the parking area and the platform. The estimated cost of the project is $33,000.

The city of Fort Madison, in collaboration with Amtrak and BNSF Railway, is working to move the Amtrak station back to the historic Santa Fe passenger depot closer to downtown. The depot will be renovated to restore it to its 1930s appearance. Currently, the depot is occupied by the North Lee County Historical Society, which has been there for the past 40 years. The city will also renovate the neighboring ATSF freight office for the society to occupy as compensation for their move in addition to allowing them partial use of the depot.

Over $1 million in grant funding has been obtained to allow the city to move the Amtrak station. The city will contribute $300,000 and the BNSF $50,000. Planning and design was made possible by a grant from the federal Scenic Byways and Preserve America programs. Grants from Iowa Department of Transportation and the U.S. DOT will be used for platform and depot restoration. It is expected that the station will reopen in the new location in spring of 2010.

Fort Madison was established as a military post along the Mississippi River built in 1808. It was named for President James Madison and occupied during the war of 1812. During that war, the fort was destroyed. A replica of the fort was rebuilt as a historical site in 1983, and still features tours and historical interpretation.

The city of Fort Madison was settled in 1838 as a river town trading post. The town eventually became reliant upon the railroads and manufacturing; over 100 freight trains a day still pass through Fort Madison.

The city is also the location of the Fort Madison Toll Bridge, considered the longest double-deck swing-span bridge in the world. The bridge, completed in 1927, connects Fort Madison with Niota, Illinois across the Mississippi River. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief crosses this bridge on its way to and from the station two miles to the west.

The facility has a waiting room and is staffed by Amtrak employees.

The station is served daily by two trains.