Search results

Yes indeed, that's a good point! I think I was getting overexcited just at the idea of needing to expand 😆 2 tracks can do quite a lot! I'm on the Silver Star right now headed to NYP and just passed through Petersburg, VA, which I think handles about 12 trains/day and is obviously a small...

I've done the same in the past and come to the same conclusion--if they did it well, 6 additional tracks. It's nice that they retained enough space for at least the possibility of expansion. And if is expansion is ever needed, operationally? Well, that does represent my wildest rail dreams for...

I assume you are correct here; it seems like there's not much at all available for cafe cars. Which is really too bad, and people will probably complain if that's the case. But so is life! Then again, Ramsey County leaders at the recent Great River Rail Commission meeting claimed that there's...

Great reminder about the Eau Claire service, Silophant! The West Central Wisconsin Passenger Rail Coaition mentions on their website that they'd like to see a "...self-sustaining, private passenger rail service to link Eau Claire and other west central Wisconsin cities with the Twin Cities," so...

I went and listened to the whole video that Moselman provided, and upon closer examination, Ramsey County and Amtrak have indeed had real, intense disagreements about the "exclusive rights" issue. This is not related to the disagreements about the operation of indoor space at SPUD. Commissioner...

Ah yes, very true. My tired brain was only thinking about "space" in terms of the track storage space for the service equipment, not about the whole SPUD interior space issue. That's my pet peeve and it really is embarrassing; Ramsey County needs to get with the program and stop treating what is...

Me too--I really can't think of what their big issue is. Certainly not a space issue at this time. That said, I wonder if it's possible that Amtrak is scared of Brightline coming up north and trying to run a competing MSP - CHI service at some point?! Maybe? I can't think of any possible...

Thanks so much for sharing the info and link, moselman! I am glad that someone was actually able to access the meeting virtually--I tried to join via Zoom to watch and learn this info live, and they must not have updated the links because I couldn't get in via any format (call-in, Zoom on phone...

This happened to me recently also--the website must be glitching as usual! I randomly saw the percent full for one train in one direction, but not the other, and then, none since. I wonder if it's only random glitches, or if Amtrak is thinking about bringing it back. Clearly, they haven't...

The second Seattle sleeper was added back as of this Monday! Info from the Empire Builder Facebook group. Good to see.

Yes, and to be totally honest, due to the active Native American/Indigenous community in Minneapolis and Minnesota generally, it is fairly possible that, should the Hiawatha name be chosen for this service, there will be activism and unhappiness at some point--if not outright offense--around the...

Yes, for most general adults, I am sure that would be the association, and that many fewer would have any idea about the train. Speaking specifically about younger people...I don't believe the Longfellow poem has been mentioned/taught in schools or been a part of general culture (as it once...

Well, ehm, I have to say, the "leaks" trickling out and being retracted about this service are...honestly farcical at this point! All I can do is sit back and laugh, because if I don't laugh, I'd get too frustrated. I'm not even going to post more about the name until the official announcement...

All evidence that I have heard points to, as Jis mentioned, that it was likely the MN and WI DOTs that chose the name (maybe IL pitched in a few thoughts as well). I don't believe that Amtrak chose the name. Come to think of it, last September I heard a MnDOT rep on a public meeting mention that...

I share your feelings, @moselman66 ! The name will take a bit to grow on me and I also just want the service to start. People who are interested can read this agenda (linked below) for the next Great River Rail Commission meeting on March 7, along with the minutes from the last GRRC meeting...

WWW, in case you haven't seen elsewhere, it is already decided that this service--the Borealis--will be an extension of an existing Hiawatha trip. So that is set in stone. The current terminus for the Borealis is SPUD, which is also set in stone. Not saying it can't/won't change to terminate at...

Good question--no idea about if the Twin Cities Hiawatha name is actually copyrighted or otherwise owned by CP. But when they made clear that the "Great River" name wasn't being kept, I did think that they might try to name it the TC Hiawatha, especially since the Borealis will simply be an...

I love your historical and technical explanation, John! Very interesting, especially the explanation about the ancient Greeks! So you are definitely right in a technical sense :) However, I am 98% sure that those who named this train were not thinking of the real meaning or origin of...

Good question about the California dinette cars. No idea but it would be really nice for the service. Somehow doubt they'll be used for this service, though. If the Borealis name is indeed final, when this service and the (knock on wood) Northern Lights Express between Mpls - Duluth are...

Here I am with what is (probably) more official info than my last post: 1. According to All Aboard MN, citing a WisDOT presentation at the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers' early February 2024 meeting, this service will be named the Borealis (not the Great River, as was previously...