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BNSF completes 55-mile double track project in North Dakota
Is the crude oil traffic driving this?
In a word, yes – altho you could have made an argument for much of this work for years. But oil pulled the trigger.
Let’s hope Antrak has faster service…if this is the line they even take 
Gus, this is the line the Empire Builder takes.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder has traditionally used the lines between Williston and Minot and between Minot and Grand Forks. Lately, Amtrak has been running directionally between Minot and Fargo, only passing through Grand Forks in one direction. This was done so they could go the flow of BNSF freight traffic. I hope this will allow Amtrak to return to Grand Forks in both directions, as well as run more reliably. Now, how about a Grand Forks-Winnipeg section, or at least a thruway bus, so travelers from Chicago can connect with the Canadian?
Money drives the railroad whether oil, gas whatever makes $. BNSF has in my opinion invested in itself. For example in my personal experience, since Warren B took over, I havent seen a dirty locmotive not even a yard switcher, Im referencing Cicero Yard cuz I travel to Chicago often and my fam lives practically next to it. That to me is pride and investing in your equipment and road. BNSF has their **** together. And they do it across the USA. Now I can only hope the IC gets double tracked, bcuz holding my breath will just, well…
Hopefully, this will help improve the on time service for the Empire Builder which uses this route and has had all kinds of problems in the last couple of years.
Again, can we PLEASE have a map or sketch of the area referred to in the story. Would be MOST helpful.
Well yeah, oil traffic is the reason for this much needed upgrade. I hope the Empire builder benefits from this upgrade as well after all, this train provides an essential service the oilfield’s employees
I invite recent readers, particularly advocates of more passenger trains, to look at the service Great Northern offered almost up to Merger Day. Two transcontinental trains plus two day trains into the Dakotas and an overnight train to Winnipeg. Practically a corridor operation from Grand Forks to the Cities. Good luck with that these days.
Its a massive investment for any railroad from someone looking in from outside it sounds like that little word with a big meaning OIL is the main reason behind the new double track.We seem to be getting our act together here in the UK with new rail investment for example the cross rail project.great after the wholesale closures of lines in the 1960,s following the Beeching report.From an enthusiasts point of view will there be any webcams along this line?Charles Coleman England