Bills to Expand Illinois Railway Program Announced Illinois has always been at the heart of America’s rail network, and it is uniquely poised to lead the country towards great trains. Because of its political heft and Chicago’s role as the nation’s rail hub, a growing...
Newsletter 1/24/25: Amtrak Long-Distance Study Released
Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Study Released
This week the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the final report of the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study.
It proposes adding an additional 15 long-distance routes, which would fill gaps in the current network and provide passenger rail access to 39 million people that don’t currently have it.
The report is an important first step and provides a foundation for creating a national network. But it also recognizes significant barriers to advancing this vision. Currently, there is no sustained federal funding or program to construct or operate the routes identified in the report. There’s hope though that a national passenger rail vision like this, that serves so many more communities, can help build stronger bipartisan support for passenger rail.
Read More:
Long-Distance Service Study Final Report
HSRA’s Reactions to the Long Distance Study (from 2024 but our thoughts remain the same)
A Rail Revolution Begins with Fixing Union Station
High-speed rail would put 43 million people within three hours of Chicago.
Imagine what this means—being able to travel between most cities in the Midwest within just a few hours.
It’s possible, and it starts with Chicago Union Station. Five key fixes would prepare the station to offer this transformational travel experience. A modernized Union Station would also open the way for a nationwide network of faster, more frequent trains between hundreds of communities nationwide.
Read More:
Video: Fix Chicago Union Station and Build a High Speed Rail Hub
A Rail Revolution Begins with Fixing Chicago Union Station
Chicago Union Station Petition: Join the Movement to Create a High-Speed Rail Station in Chicago.
How Crippling Traffic Led One State to Find Its Own Transportation Solutions
When: Friday, February 7 at 12pm CT
DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, will share how Virginia, seeking relief from what had become an “all day rush hour,” turned to rail and found new ways to expand service across the state.
Overnight Sleeper Trains’ Role in America’s Transportation Infrastructure
When: Friday, February 14 at 12pm CT
Dreamstar Lines is reimagining the overnight train experience, blending the nostalgia and romance of classic rail journeys with modern comfort and convenience. This presentation will explore Dreamstar’s vision for a new standard in U.S. night trains, addressing gaps left by current inter-regional services and offering a compelling alternative to air and car travel.
What’s up With Britain’s HS2 High-Speed Rail Project?
When: Friday, February 21 at 12pm CT on Zoom
The UK has long been a world leader in rail infrastructure, and HS2 represents the largest investment in the rail network since the Victorian era. It is a huge undertaking that brings with it challenges and opportunities. With Phase 1 of the project at peak construction, hear from members of HS2’s Public Affairs team on the latest from the program, the political and communications challenges, and much more!
The Latest from HSRA
Our Latest Blog Posts
Check out the latest news, updates, and high speed rail insights from our blog!
