Newsletter 5/24/24: Borealis Train Enters Service

Here’s Why Amtrak’s New Borealis Train Matters

On Tuesday, May 21, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner cut the ribbon for the new Borealis train, which will run daily between Chicago and St. Paul.

Here’s why the Borealis matters, and what we can learn from its successful launch.

Continue reading

Shouldn’t You Be Able to Get to Montreal By Train?

Montreal is a vibrant, exciting city. Unfortunately, Amtrak’s Adirondack will not travel north of Saratoga Springs, New York, from May 20 to June 29. This is the second year in a row that train service to Montreal has stopped during the summer travel season.

This highlights the core problem for American passenger trains.

Continue reading

collage of swag items

Get HSR Merch

When you join the High Speed Rail Alliance, you support elected officials and other local leaders working for fast, frequent, and affordable trains connecting communities all over North America. Every donation gives advocates for better train service a stronger voice. And, you can get some cool merch to help share the news with your friends.

Join Today

Lakeshore Rail Summit: Creating Transportation Oases

When: Thursday, June 13 at 1pm ET

 

Why: Billions of dollars in federal funding for rail transportation will transform cities like Erie with a transportation desert into a transportation oasis in the next decade. The rail corridor between Chicago and the East Coast is at risk of missing out. Learn how regional passenger rail projects can create a transportation oasis in Erie.

High-Speed Rail and the Construction of Space in 1960s Japan

When: Friday, June 28 at 12pm CT on Zoom

This talk will consider the bullet train in terms of the social construction of space—the ways in which people think about and use physical spaces—comparing government plans with public reactions to highlight the interaction between ideas and the built environment.

The Latest from HSRA

Our Latest Blog Posts

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

View All Posts

What We Can Accomplish in 2026

What We Can Accomplish in 2026

More Amtrak equipment, California tunnels, Corridor ID on the list The movement to develop a great train network in the United States made undeniable gains in 2025: Illinois passed transit legislation worth $1.5 billion a year, which not only will continue to fund...

It Was a Good Year for Trains. Here’s How We Covered It.

It Was a Good Year for Trains. Here’s How We Covered It.

Here’s a roundup of big stories—with links—from a boffo year for passenger trains in general and high-speed rail in particular. California and Canada The year began with the Trump administration clawing back $4 billion in funding for California’s high-speed project....

11 Favorite Books, Articles, and Podcasts From 2025

11 Favorite Books, Articles, and Podcasts From 2025

The movement for fast, frequent, and affordable trains in North America is profoundly shaped by funding streams and budget priorities at all levels of government. Our list this year reflects that truth. Our strong spotlight on cars and highways is especially relevant...

Seven Reasons Planning for Frequency is Essential

Seven Reasons Planning for Frequency is Essential

“Frequency is freedom" —Jarrett Walker, Human Transit Frequency, combined with consistent headways, drives ridership. Greater frequencies reduce total travel times, serve different travel markets throughout the day, and improve system reliability. They make...