67 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

KMSP-TV, Fox-9 in Minneapolis, MN, 11/2/23:

 

 

     New St. Paul to Chicago train: MnDOT offer survey on extra train service  

 

 

MnDOT is now taking input on a new, planned daily train service to run from St. Paul to Chicago.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Second train between Twin Cities and Chicago slated to begin in 2024

 

By Steve Glischinski | November 3, 2023

 

Minnesota DOT surveying potential riders about possible amenities

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a social media post Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced the long-awaited second passenger train between St. Paul and Chicago will begin service in 2024. MnDOT is also asking potential passengers to take a survey about amenities they would like to see aboard the train. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, and MnDOT are sponsoring the service. Amtrak will operate the trains on CPKC’s route.

 

While infrastructure improvements are planned in the La Crosse, Wis., and Winona, Minn., areas, CPKC has agreed to start the service before the improvements are completed as part of a deal reached when Amtrak endorsed the Canadian Pacific/Kansas City Southern merger.

 

 

Continue here.  

[KevinKorell]

WTMJ-TV, Channel 4 in Milwaukee, WI, 11/22/23:

 

 

   New Amtrak line connecting Chicago, Milwaukee, and Twin Cities expected to launch in spring  

 

 

...  Wisconsinites who prefer to take the train have a lot to look forward to in the new year as Amtrak is expected to launch a second daily route that will connect Chicago and Milwaukee to the Twin Cities.

 

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[KevinKorell]

Racine County Eye,  11/27/23:
 

 

  Racine County to see more Amtrak service in 2024     

 

 

Racine and Kenosha area residents can expect additional Amtrak passenger train service from here starting in 2024.

 

Here is the story.      If they follow what was proposed before to simply extend the equipment of Hiawathas 333 and 340 to St. Paul, then Sturtevant  will see no more trains that it has now.   They will only have more options where they can travel to.

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Amtrak to launch Chicago-St. Paul train May 21

By Trains Staff | May 1, 2024

 

State-supported ‘Borealis’ will provide second daily train for communities on Empire Builder route

 

CHICAGO — Amtrak will launch a second daily train between Chicago and St. Paul, Minn., the state-sponsored Borealis, on May 21, the passenger operator announced today.

 

The train, using Horizon coaches and a café car, will offer Business Class service. It will substitute for one of the current Hiawatha round trips on the Chicago-Milwaukee portion of its trip, and will stop in all cities served by the Empire Builder between Chicago and St. Paul.  Tickets are now on sale on the Amtrak website.

 

 

 

Continue here.  

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak press release:
 

 

    Introducing Amtrak Borealis trains with Expanded Service between St. Paul and Chicago via Milwaukee 

New passenger train arrivals and departures in a partnership with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois


 
 

 
ST. PAUL, Minn., and CHICAGO – Tickets are now available for a second daily Amtrak service between the Twin Cities and Chicago, via Milwaukee: new state-sponsored [/size]Borealis trains originate from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning. Travelers seeking a more comfortable, sustainable and productive choice than driving will have double the current rail options, starting May 21, 2024.[/size]
 
Amtrak Borealis coach fares start at $41 each way between St. Paul and Chicago for adults, with everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, groups, and others.

Amtrak Borealis trains will offer Coach and Business Class in addition to a café car featuring regional items. Customers will enjoy wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and views of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse, Wisc., in daylight in both directions across Wisconsin.

The trains will make the current Empire Builder stops between St. Paul and Milwaukee and Hiawatha stops between Milwaukee and Chicago (see schedule). Another benefit of the Amtrak Borealis service is a new eastbound Amtrak origination from Ramsey County’s Union Depot in St. Paul.

“A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our transportation system, providing more choices and travel flexibility for passengers,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Minnesota Department of Transportation. “We appreciate our partnerships with communities, federal, state and local governments, the host railroad CPKC, and Amtrak that were needed to get this service on-track, and to provide another safe, reliable transportation option. We look forward to continuing these partnerships as we work toward further building out passenger rail options in the Midwest.”

“This route includes eight stations in Wisconsin, and doubling the frequency of the service will better connect the many businesses, universities and tourist attractions along this corridor,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “This expansion is thanks to the work WisDOT was able to do together with Minnesota, Illinois and Amtrak, as well as the opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We will continue to work with federal and state partners to explore more passenger rail options in Wisconsin.”

“We are proud to collaborate with neighboring states and our federal partners to offer more Amtrak service in the Midwest,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Ensuring passenger rail that’s safe, reliable and accessible is one of the many reasons Illinois continues to distinguish itself as the transportation hub of North America under Gov. JB Pritzker.”

The new service is sponsored by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Amtrak now operates 29 state-supported routes with 18 state partners.

“Through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification Program we are working with grantees on dozens of other possible new Amtrak routes,” said President Roger Harris. “Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, interest from state transportation departments and others for new or expanded Amtrak service across the country is at an all-time high.”

“This is a win for passenger rail expansion in America, and more importantly, it’s a win for a growing number of Americans who rely on passenger rail and benefit from it,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose. “Investments in rail have long helped Midwesterners and the region’s economy, and this new service will mean additional access for people traveling between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois while contributing to economic growth.

“The Federal Railroad Administration applauds the strong partnership between the states and Amtrak, and through President Biden’s infrastructure package, we know even more progress is underway,” Bose added.

 

[KevinKorell]

On a personal note, I had reserved Train 333 for a trip in June, and got an e-mail the same day this was announced that my train is now 1333.

 

And  5/21/24 is a Tuesday, which seems strange for a train to debut.  Of course for this to happen there would need to be a positioning move on 5/20 for what would be the first eastbound revenue train.

[KevinKorell]

Opinion from KDHL Radio, Faribault, MN, 5/2/24:
 

 

   The Pros and Cons of Taking the Amtrak Borealis to Chicago   

 

 

Amtrak announced yesterday that they're adding a second train trip between St. Paul and Chicago; this one running daily.

 

 

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