Chicago – St. Louis Corridor and Train Day 2023

An Amtrak train is stopped in the station at Joliet, IL.
A map of the Chicago - St. Louis corridor showing the location of signle and doulbe track.

Chicago to St. Louis Corridor: A Model for Shared-Use Lines

On May 3 we rode the first 110-mph train bound for St. Louis. This is the first time trains have been scheduled to go this fast on a heavy haul railroad where freight trains can be more than 2 miles long and each car weighs 143 tons. This could set the stage for upgrading more shared-use lines across the country, whether at 80, 90 or 110-mph.

The corridor was in horrible shape before the Chicago — St. Louis Corridor Project began. Today, it’s a world-class railroad, although there’s still a lot that can be done to improve the corridor.

Learn more

Train Day Pictures and Stories

As you know, trains have incredible power to connect people from every region and corner of this great continent. High Speed Rail Alliance community members are helping to tell that story by sharing their experiences.

Check out our growing collection of stories and pictures about the joy of trains!

We plan to continue collecting stories and photos from our community, and will share them here. Contact us if you would like to add your personal experience to this page

A black T-Shirt with the High Speed Rail Alliance logo on the chest.

We’re excited to announce our brand new High Speed Rail Alliance t-shirts!

Make a donation as part of our Train Day 2023 membership drive and we’ll send you a t-shirt.

The shirts are great conversation starters and will show that you’re part of a community working to bring high-speed trains to the United States.

We just ordered these new shirts. That means you will receive your t-shirt in mid to late May and can start showing it off when the warmer weather arrives.

The Latest from HSRA

Our Latest Blog Posts

Check out the latest news, updates, and high speed rail insights from our blog!

Newsletter 3/22/24: Amtrak Cascades and Japan HSR

Newsletter 3/22/24: Amtrak Cascades and Japan HSR

Amtrak Cascades path to Increasing Speed and Frequency The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) released a Preliminary Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Amtrak Cascades route, a step towards creating a blueprint for improving the route over the...

Japan Extends High Speed Rail Network

Japan Extends High Speed Rail Network

On March 16, Japan opened a new high-speed line connecting Tsuruga with the rest of Japan’s high-speed rail network at Kanazawa, and allowing for direct service to Tokyo. The new line is called the Hokuriku extension and it includes six new train stations, serving the...

Amtrak Cascades Path to Increasing Speed and Frequency

Amtrak Cascades Path to Increasing Speed and Frequency

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) released a Preliminary Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Amtrak Cascades route, a step towards creating a blueprint for improving the route over the next twenty years.  The Amtrak Cascades service, which...

A New Path to Chicago-Milwaukee Regional Rail

A New Path to Chicago-Milwaukee Regional Rail

Thanks to Corridor ID funding from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is initiating planning that will set the stage for service over the next decade or two. It is urgent that local elected and business leaders advocate for...