Newsletter 4/17/26: Amtrak to Order New Trains and Illinois Rail Planning Update

Amtrak to Order Cars for Long-Distance Routes

Amtrak announced this week that it has launched procurement for more than 800 single-level coaches, sleeping cars, dining cars, and lounge cars for its long-distance routes.

This is excellent news, as we have been urging Amtrak to place this order, but we must stay engaged to assure there are no further delays.

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A conceptual image of a high-seed train existing a tunnel.

Dig the Damn Tunnels

It’s time for California to get serious about high-speed rail. The current timeline is unacceptable.

If high-speed rail really is one of the most powerful tools we have to shift travelers away from fossil-fuels—and it is—the legislature must get real, be bold, and fund it at levels that allow for a near-future launch.

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Illinois Passenger Rail Commission Could Take on State Planning

The Passenger Rail Planning Act may be amended to shift the initial planning responsibility to the existing Illinois High Speed Rail Commission – meaning that deliberations and recommendations will come from people whose priority is trains, not highways.

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The Latest from HSRA

Our Latest Blog Posts

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

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Funds for North Carolina S-Line Released

Funds for North Carolina S-Line Released

How Virginia and North Carolina are Building a Publicly Owned Railroad The Federal Railroad Administration has released $550 million for the S-Line, a passenger-rail project in North Carolina and Virginia. The money is part of a $1.09 billion grant awarded in 2023 to...

Corridor ID Program at Risk

Corridor ID Program at Risk

Corridors to be removed and funding reduced Recently, we’ve been running stories about big infrastructure projects that are making real progress. Northeast Corridor projects—including the Portal North Bridge, Frederick Douglass Tunnel, and the Susquehanna bridge—are...

Help Shape the 2027 Illinois State Rail Plan

Help Shape the 2027 Illinois State Rail Plan

You can provide feedback to IDOT through October 2026. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is working to update the 2023 State Rail Plan, with a final draft expected July 2027. State rail plans set future goals for freight and passenger rail. They can be...