67 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

I remember the North Star; it was Trains 9 & 10.   At the point you refer to, it was running in addition to the Empire Builder on a different schedule, one that I definitely would find convenient in that it was overnight between Chicago and the Twin Cities.  Later in its life, it was a shuttle that connected with the Empire Builder in St. Paul.   Strangely, the Amtrak Thruway bus that now connects with the Empire Builder for Duluth is oriented for westward connections; that is, to #7/27 going west, or from #8/28 going east, so connections with Milwaukee and Chicago are inconvenient.

[jebr]

The current scheduled connections to Duluth are mainly an artifact of Amtrak simply ticketing on existing intercity bus schedules that Jefferson Lines is already running, rather than running dedicated or semi-dedicated buses that are linked specifically to the train schedule. The 10 PM arrival time for 7/27 from Chicago is too lake to make a same-day connection onto the existing schedule, and the 8 AM departure (if on-time) is too early to make connections from Duluth on the existing Jefferson Lines schedules (even the ones not offered through Amtrak.)

 

One oddity that I would like to see Amtrak fix is the schedule choice connecting from 8/28. Right now there's a full day layover, even though Jefferson Lines offers a midday schedule departing from St. Paul Union Depot at 12:30 PM that would generally be made even with the normal Empire Builder delays. On the occasions that the connection is missed, Amtrak could simply re-ticket people onto the current departure. Since St. Paul is a staffed station for both Amtrak and Jefferson Lines, any such modifications should be doable with a little bit of effort on the part of management to set up the processes to do so.

[KevinKorell]

Transportation Today, 3/4/19:

 

 

  Second Amtrak train to Twin Cities would bring Minnesota $25M annually  

 

 

Adding a second Amtrak train between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul has a potential economic return of $25 million for Minnesota, according to a Rail Passengers Association assessment.

 

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Channel 3000, 4/10/19:

 

 

 

  WisDOT aims to double frequency of Amtrak service through state 

 

 

 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's plan to increase regional Amtrak service is gaining steam.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WKBT-TV, Channel 8 in La Crosse, WI, 6/17/19:

 

Rail supporters propose more Amtrak stops in La Crosse

 

People who ride the Amtrak in La Crosse may soon have more options.

 

Details

[KevinKorell]

WXOW-TV, Channel 19 in La Crosse, WI, 6/17/19:

 

La Crosse County Board supports expansion of Amtrak services

 

 

A potential solution to the transportation issues in Wisconsin.  There could soon be more Amtrak trains stopping in La Crosse.  A resolution calling for higher state and federal funding for passenger trains goes to the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors this week for a vote.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Winona, WI Daily News, 2/2/20:

 

 

  Additional passenger train from St. Paul to Chicago closer to becoming a reality 

 

 

 

A second passenger train traveling to and from Saint Paul to Chicago, with stops in Winona and La Crosse, is very nearly a likelihood, but there are still many pieces that need to fall into place.

 

Update

[steve4031]

Certainly would be an improvement if they could schedule an 8 am departure from Chicago and maybe a 4 pm departure from MSP. Might need two train sets. Could be easily accomplished by adding to current equipment to the seimens order.

Edited by steve4031, 03 February 2020 - 02:29 PM.

[KevinKorell]

Urban Milwaukee, 5/6/20:

 

  State Wins Grant for Twin Cities Train  

 

 

 

Doubling train service between Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul took a step forward Tuesday with the announcement of a $12.5 million federal grant to support a second daily roundtrip.

 

Update

[steve4031]

What can they do with 12.5 million? More studies.