Hiawatha discussion

[OmahaRoad]

I don't recall hearing anything that Borealis replacing a Hiawatha trip was only temporary, and my assumption was that when an 8th CHI-MKE-CHI trip was someday added it would be at an entirely new time and Borialis would continue to leave CHI at 11:05 and return into CHI at 19:14. Obviously it had to use a Hiawatha slot to start service before CPCK allowed an additional train, of course. But it's interesting to think that the plan is to move it. I would be surprised it if was moved by more than 1-3 hours.

Yes, this is very interesting and honestly pretty shocking to me! The Borealis was sold to MN folks (advocates, residents, and politicians alike) with the current departure times, times that have been advertised as appropriately offsetting the Empire Builder's arrival/departure times.

In particular, the earlier arrival in St. Paul is important and something that a lot of people are loving about the Borealis. I agree, Moselman, that it would be very surprising for the Borealis to be significantly moved. I would guess if they DO move it (which I really hope they do not), that it is only moved by 1 to 1.5 hours. Or I guess that is my hope. I really, really wonder how MN stakeholders feel about this, because I can't imagine they were expecting this?! We shall see what transpires I guess.

 

[Steve's Wanderlust]

Living in metro MSP I'd really prefer a morning trip at 6am prior to the Builder's slot, the midday/late morning train could move an hour earlier or later - that matters less to me as that train has only one good connection in Chicago (Lake Shore Ltd.).

 

[user535733]

Yes, this is very interesting and honestly pretty shocking to me! The Borealis was sold to MN folks (advocates, residents, and politicians alike) with the current departure times, times that have been advertised as appropriately offsetting the Empire Builder's arrival/departure times.

In particular, the earlier arrival in St. Paul is important and something that a lot of people are loving about the Borealis. I agree, Moselman, that it would be very surprising for the Borealis to be significantly moved. I would guess if they DO move it (which I really hope they do not), that it is only moved by 1 to 1.5 hours. Or I guess that is my hope. I really, really wonder how MN stakeholders feel about this, because I can't imagine they were expecting this?! We shall see what transpires I guess.

When WisDOT said the future schedule was "TBD," they meant exactly that. Not worse. Not better. TBD.

All the stakeholders in all three states have a voice, and plenty of time to use it. I have found that the DOT civil servants to be competent, well-informed on the issues, and fully aware of the factors that have made the service successful. While somewhat constrained, they have clearly shown the right priorities. I trust them to analyze the alternatives and negotiate effectively with CPKC for the best outcome. They did before.