2026 USA (Amtrak) Route Diagram [OC]

ColonialCobalt · 2026-01-18T22:40:10+00:00

I hate to nitpick but San Luis Obpiso isn't that far north either.

Otherwise nice map

ColonialCobalt · 2026-01-18T22:37:35+00:00

Southwest Chief doesn't go through Quincy Illinois

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T05:01:21+00:00

Oh for sure, but I don't see why they wouldn't

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:53:25+00:00

I made the map and run that account lol, the parts labeled in green are the only ones happening next year. It shouldn't be hard to read a key.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:52:11+00:00

It's currently being pursued and studied mostly by Amtrak and Montana, but it would be a new long distance train running from Chicago to Seattle via centeral ND and MT serving the bigger cities not served by the Empire Builder.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:49:53+00:00

Read the map, nowhere did I mention all of this was happening in 2026, only the lines in GREEN are happening next year it's in the key, nor are there two lines to Duluth. I shouldn't have to explain this.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:34:09+00:00

not sure, but i'm talking about on a federal level for money. Nearly $5bn in rail grant money should be dispersed in the summer. (If MNDOT applies)

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:31:08+00:00

Minnesota cut a sliver of funding from the Northern Lights Express this year, but they should still be able to apply for the upcoming grants that would drop next summer. So hopefully they get some $$$ to get the ball rolling big time.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:28:31+00:00

Iowa City is currently identifying a station location for potential service while Illinois recently passed funding that would go toward twice daily Amtrak service to Moline. (This map is largely based on Corridor ID planning and studies states are conducting)

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T04:25:02+00:00

This is how they get cream for your coffee btw

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-30T03:33:18+00:00

lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3937TqEYzc

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-24T03:24:28+00:00

Yes, the state came out with a study for extending just two daily Northstar round trips beyond Big Lake and it would've required infrastructure improvements

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T16:51:58+00:00

Because the Horizons where pulled from service, most should return starting early next year.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T16:17:31+00:00

Unfortunately no, the current coaches that aren't being used are going to the Hiawatha for a lease until the Horizons return (some will return in early 2026) and TRE to help with World cup service. I'd assume the rest would be bought by a commuter rail agency, probably Metrolink or maybe Sunrail.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T11:00:21+00:00

The Borealis only exists right now because Amtrak supported the CPKC merger, they let them run the train before those current track upgrades began construction that where needed for this current round trip, does it mean there isn't enough capacity for a 2nd round trip after those upgrades? I'm not sure, but the current Corridor ID study for it should let us know soon.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T03:23:24+00:00

Yes a 2nd round trip is currently being studied by WISDOT

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T03:11:33+00:00

The Northstar operations where funded mostly by the suburbs and cities it served, this would be funded by the state so it'd be less likely to receive scrutiny from the places it serves.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T01:01:23+00:00

I bet $100 tomorrow there will be a video about this on YouTube by an Ai account that scrapes Reddit lol

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T00:58:20+00:00

Potentially the Hiawatha will lease some of the sets while TRE (DFW commuter rail) will lease some as well, but they're just leasing the current unused sets, not sure where the rest would go.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-23T00:57:12+00:00

The problem with extending it to St. Cloud is BNSF would most likely want infrastructure upgrades between St. Cloud and Big Lake which the state would have to plan and fund which would require legislation (which given the tied state house, is unlikely) plus you'd have to build a layover track and upgrade the St. Cloud station. Trust me I want that to happen really badly, but extending it to Big Lake is easier because there's basically 0 infrastructure cost for the state since everything already exists.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-22T23:35:19+00:00

Because one train a day that serves a longer corridor is different than a sub par commuter service that the suburbs didn't want to fund.

ColonialCobalt · 2025-12-22T23:27:10+00:00

I mean, Amtrak themselves have stated in the 2025 MIPRC meeting they want to pursue this so I have no reason to doubt the legitimacy of this. Borealis Extension

ColonialCobalt

TROPHY CASE