73 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 3/22/21

 

Minnesota bill would fund state’s share of some rail infrastructure

 

 

Minnesota State Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) has introduced a bipartisan bill that would fund the state’s share of a significant overhaul of southeast Minnesota rail infrastructure, according to news release.

 

In fall 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved a $31.8 million grant for infrastructure improvements in Wisconsin and Minnesota on Canadian Pacific’s Soo Line serving Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

 

The improvements would provide significant freight-rail upgrades and further the development of additional passenger-rail service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

 

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[KevinKorell]

The Daily Reporter, 3/22/21:

 

 

 

    WisDOT seeking input on Amtrak Empire Builder expansion  

 

 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is soliciting public opinion on a proposed $53 million expansion of Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, which now runs between Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities.

 

The project will add a second daily round-trip on the 411-mile route that runs through Milwaukee, La Crosse and other small cities, and would add morning and mid-day service in Chicago and the Twin Cities. Currently, only one train operates on the route daily.

 

This is the story.   Really a very misleading headline, since this really has nothing to do with the Empire Builder other than the new train will share the same set of tracks and share stations with the easternmost 400+ miles of the Empire Builder's route.   The Empire Builder itself is not being expanded.

[KevinKorell]

Portage, WI Daily Register, 3/29/21:

 

 

   DOT looking for insight on second train going through Columbus, Dells and Portage   

 

 

Three states are working to add a second round-trip train from Minneapolis to Chicago. This addition could double the amount of options for riders travelling through the Columbus, Portage and Wisconsin Dells Amtrak stations.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

This item assumes the new frequency would continue west of the Twin Cities, as far as the Fargo/Moorhead area.  From Wadena, MN Pioneer-Journal, 4/21/21:

 

 

    Passenger train stop in Wadena gains steam  

 

 

A possible passenger train stop in Wadena is gaining steam after Wadena City Council members unanimously approved a resolution of support for a project on the BNSF Railway.

 

Read

[jebr]

Funding for the second daily train is in the transportation omnibus in Minnesota. From Minnesota House Session Daily, 6/22/2021:

 

One-time General Fund appropriations for MnDOT include:

[...]

$10 million for second daily Amtrak service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago;

 
According to the bill text (as proposed) funding appears to be just for the Chicago - St. Paul segment, not for any extension beyond St. Paul/Minneapolis. Lines 6.1 - 6.8 in HF10:
 

$10,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 is for final design and construction to provide for a second daily Amtrak train service between Minneapolis and St. Paul and Chicago. The commissioner may expend funds for program delivery and administration from this amount. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.

Edited by jebr, 23 June 2021 - 01:24 PM.

[KevinKorell]

I agree that the Twin Cities should be the limit of the second frequency rather than extending to Fargo/Moorhead as in my April post.   Going too far risks having some stations served at uncomfortable times of night which negates the train's usefulness.  St. Cloud might have been previously mentioned only because of the vulnerability of the existing Northstar commuter rail, with talk of ending that service and thus the long planned extension to St. Cloud.

[KevinKorell]

Twin Cities Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN, 6/28/21:

 

 

 

   State moves forward with second daily Amtrak train to Chicago. When will it start running?   

 

 

 

A planned second Amtrak train from St. Paul to Chicago is much closer to reality now that $10 million was set aside for it in the state’s omnibus transportation funding package signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz over the weekend.

 

Full story

 

Again it was only mentioned once last year, but to get an idea of what time of the day it will run compared to the Empire Builder, it is supposedly running in the time slot occupied by 333 between Chicago and Milwaukee, extended to St. Paul, and 340 Milwaukee to Chicago, originating in St. Paul.    it will allow for a much earlier arrival in St. Paul than the current 10 PM on the Empire Builder, and for a later eastbound departure from St. Paul towards Chicago.  A 7:14 PM arrival into Chicago would not connect with much (with over an hour leeway), except the eastbound Lake Shore Limited.

[KevinKorell]

WEAU-TV, Channel 13 in Eau Claire, WI, 1/20/22:

 

 

    Amtrak expansion could include shuttle service from Eau Claire to Tomah  

 

 

In order to catch a train from the Chippewa Valley, you have to drive to Tomah or another location with a train stop.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Houston County News, Winona, MN, 3/9/22:
 

 

    Winona to get improvements before second Amtrak route arrives  

 

 

When a second Amtrak train comes through Winona in 2024, it will roll into $19 million worth of local rail improvements.

 

Story here.

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Wisconsin, Minnesota, receive $31.8 million to upgrade Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago rail route

 

March 10, 2022

 

Work will allow second daily passenger round trip, improved freight service

 

 

A federal grant will help fund these projects to allow additional passenger service between the Twin Cities and Chicago. (TCMC Project)

 

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Departments of Transportation in Wisconsin and Minnesota will receive a $31.8 million grant for infrastructure upgrades to allow a second Twin Cities-Chicago passenger train, as well as improved freight operation, on the route through La Crosse, Wis.,  and Milwaukee.

 

Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and officials from the two states announced the grant Wednesday in a press conference in La Crosse. The project is expected to allow the second train to begin in 2024 or sooner on the 411-mile route already served by the Empire Builder.  . . .

 

 

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