The Montana Association of Railroad Passengers (MARP) wants a return of rail passenger service once served by Amtrak’s North Coast Hiawatha along the I-90 corridor.
Quote of note:
“Today, the only passenger train service available to Montanans is provided by Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which runs on the Hi-Line, stopping in 11 towns, such as Havre and Shelby. While Ackley said his organization doesn’t want to see that service discontinued, he said the route is not the best suited for serving the majority of Montanans. Rather, a southern line, running east-west and hitting depots in Helena, Billings and Missoula (to name a few) would be best for most Montanans who want to ride the rails.”
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The impact of this stated desire may actually result in a reroute of the Empire Builder along the I-90 corridor, since it is unlikely that two Northern Tier Amtrak routes will be funded anytime soon.
I remember the controversy when the North Coast Hiawatha was cancelled in favor of the Empire Builder - main reason for keeping the Empire Builder was its traveling through Glacier National Park. A lot of Montanans along the route of the NCH were upset about the cancellation, though ridership wasn’t all that great - typical boardings in Miles City in the early 70’s was 2-4 - presumably quite a few more in places like Billings, Butte and Missoula.
From following the discussions on this forum, it does sound like the original route (i.e. though Butte) is too far gone and routing through Helena makes more sense (now if there were a way to also route through Great Falls).
I consider myself fortunate in riding the North Coast Hiawatha back in 1976 - in addition to traveling through Silver Bow canyon, I saw the remnants of the Milw elecrification (poles and messenger wires still up).
Would it be possible to satisfy both corridors with one train?
Since one of the arguments against an I-90 corridor passenger train is, well, the fact that I-90 is already there providing passenger transit competition, what if we find a way to hit those larger Montana towns while still routing away from I-90 where possible?
Isn’t there a rail connection from Williston ND (off the ex-GN and current Empire Builder route) down to Glendive MT (on the ex-NP and North Coast Limited/North Coast Hiawatha route) via Sidney MT? What about routing the EB down that way to Miles City and Billings, then back up to the High Line via Great Falls?
It should be noted that the State of Washington and BNSF have explored moving the EB down to the Stampede Pass line due to greater capacity available on that line, which would free up one more slot on the Stevens Pass line for intermodals.
After living in Bozeman, Montana and visiting much of the area’s tracks, I would love to experience a ride on those rails via a passenger train. MRL has their once a year passenger but I think the last run was the summer before I got there. Though it would be worth it to me to see Amtrak come down to hit those towns, I think that it wouldn’t be a line much traveled. Now those cities are growing so that might help with a need for a passenger train, but I highly doubt it. If they can somehow sell the fact that Yellowstone can be accessible then maybe they have a chance.
I’ve said it before and will continue to say it again that if they were to open the Homestead Pass back up from Butte to Three Forks, it would be an amazing ride. Good thing is the track are still there. Amtrak wouldn’t be able to run Superliners though. Not enough clearance in the tunnels.
P.S. Erikem: Cardiff–Nice. I used to surf there while growing up in Escondido