With a view to the Mid-west, ANY increase in passenger train service is positive news. TWO political conventions, Republican in Milwaukee, Democrat in Chicago are months away from taking place along the announced rail route. Is it possible that that those conventions weighed in favor of the additional train service? And how many times will the cafe service run short of food?
Midwest also does a decent job keeping trains on time, and late trains on the system don’t get held back too much when a delay does occur, with the occasional 40 minutes to an hour though.
It’s a good strategy. It also opens up more flexibility to people looking to get to stations originally only served by the Empire Builder. That will open up seats on the Builder for people going further west.
Not the best answer but May 21st (four days from this comment) first day of the route so be on the lookout for the plethora of railfans who will be uploading videos and then we'll know.
Hello, I just made a comment that ANY increase in passenger train service is good news. When upcoming conventions were also mentioned my sentences disappeared!
Look for more Services in Wisconsin when WisDOT completes planning for four new routes and increased Amtrak ridership through Milwaukee using Corridor Identification Development (CID) funds awarded from the Federal Railroad Administration
I love how Amtrak is doing this and not funding other routes like the Texas Eagle. The Texas Eagle has been lacking funds for over 3 years now. Has had 4 cars and the same P42s as well.
I’m not sure what you mean by “same P42s” since they’re switched out just like the other routes, but the Superliner part seems to be since the fleet is starting to dwindle. Hopefully they can get this bid for long distance equipment done so that we can see stuff getting built and pushed out in the coming years. Also the Borealis was easier to push into service because Amtrak Midwest is a state supported system so the state DOTs also have managing roles.
@@MrMarshmallow26 we only get 11 P42s on the Texas Eagle. May be because they're equipped with the "Illinois High Speed Rail from Chicago to St. Louis." It's just getting annoying since Amtrak has said they would restore the route but they still haven't.
@@TheAustinSubRailfan I’m surprised Texas Eagle hasn’t seen Chargers yet. As for the Superliners I think they’re trying to make do with what they got till a long distance manufacturer is selected.
No, I think part of it might be that they’re going to the North Star state of Minnesota. And since we have a commuter rail that already carries that name. It just makes sense
They need to build more stations and fix the routes they have first, there are states that don't even have one Amtrak station so I don't get why they are so excited about new routes and high speed rail. It's just a glorified commuter line at this point.
The Borealis is a new route to the Amtrak Midwest system. Midwest is a state supported brand of Amtrak and it’s generally easier to get things done on the state level. Therefore, the Borealis managed to make it to life. The Borealis is still a great step in the right direction to getting more routes and service pushed out there. Even though it runs on track that other routes already run on (Empire Builder and Hiawatha), it does give people on this route more options and a direct connection between Chicago and St. Paul.
@@MrMarshmallow26 That's interesting. I've read that the Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville-Memphis extension of Amtrak might become a reality because they're planning on making I-24 an eight-lane super mega interstate and some bean counter suddenly realized they need to find a way to alleviate some of the auto traffic.
@@rockguitarist931 It’ll still be years before that happens with all the pre-planning, phases, and political disagreement this would have to go through. But Amtrak has been doing a great job trying to get more done. We’ve got the Chargers, new Acelas, and the 100+ year old Northeast Corridor infrastructure is finally being modernized. I do hope more service will get pushed out. I’m personally looking forward to Virginia’s Commonwealth Corridor.
There just seems to be in the general public a genuine misunderstanding for how much the states apart of the Midwest Services - IL, MI, MO, MN, and WI - contribute to these routes before federal funding, versus how a lot of the other states typically rely on federal funding to run; there are some obvious exceptions to but that's not the point. The opposite of the Midwest's success would be something like South Dakota's aversion to contributing to rail and thus not having it.
@@GoldFlamingo221 It seems to be a successful system. Obviously I gotta read into it and I know there’s been complaints about seating. But it’s a neat system nonetheless, able to run 110 mph on some segments.
I had a little bit of a cold so I might sound different
Get well soon!
With a view to the Mid-west, ANY increase in passenger train service is positive news. TWO political conventions, Republican in Milwaukee, Democrat in Chicago are months away from taking place along the announced rail route. Is it possible that that those conventions weighed in favor of the additional train service? And how many times will the cafe service run short of food?
The Borealis is just to give riders more options as well as a direct connection between Chicago and St. Paul
Delays due to freight traffic is something that’s been going on since day one of train travel. Saying it’s insane is a bit too much.
Midwest also does a decent job keeping trains on time, and late trains on the system don’t get held back too much when a delay does occur, with the occasional 40 minutes to an hour though.
A comprehensive network with regular and reliable trains must be the ultimate 'American Dream' maybe?
Great informative video, but please lower the music in the background so I can hear what you’re saying more clearly well done
I really wanted to see the inside, leg room, how comfortable are the seats. What food do they serve. Prices
So…this is an extension of a Hiawatha train…just like how service to Lynchburg and Roanoke are extensions of NEC trains. I think I see a pattern here.
It’s a good strategy. It also opens up more flexibility to people looking to get to stations originally only served by the Empire Builder. That will open up seats on the Builder for people going further west.
Given your information on the distance with the train unbeatable, its a step. A step ahead.
Will the venture equipment be used or Horizons or combo of both like the Hiawatha?
Not the best answer but May 21st (four days from this comment) first day of the route so be on the lookout for the plethora of railfans who will be uploading videos and then we'll know.
The Borealis will use Horizons and Amfleets while Venture cars continue to takeover the other routes.
@@MrMarshmallow26 thanks!
@@MrMarshmallow26thanks
@@GoldFlamingo221😂😂
This is awesome 😎
But does it go to Utica?
Not Utica no, it's an Albany train.
Hello, I just made a comment that ANY increase in passenger train service is good news. When upcoming conventions were also mentioned my sentences disappeared!
Your comment has not disappeared. It‘s clear to read by all.
Look for more Services in Wisconsin when WisDOT completes planning for four new routes and increased Amtrak ridership through Milwaukee using Corridor Identification Development (CID) funds awarded from the Federal Railroad Administration
Might have to wait for more Ventures and Chargers before those routes can get done and put into service.
I love how Amtrak is doing this and not funding other routes like the Texas Eagle. The Texas Eagle has been lacking funds for over 3 years now. Has had 4 cars and the same P42s as well.
I’m not sure what you mean by “same P42s” since they’re switched out just like the other routes, but the Superliner part seems to be since the fleet is starting to dwindle. Hopefully they can get this bid for long distance equipment done so that we can see stuff getting built and pushed out in the coming years. Also the Borealis was easier to push into service because Amtrak Midwest is a state supported system so the state DOTs also have managing roles.
@@MrMarshmallow26 we only get 11 P42s on the Texas Eagle. May be because they're equipped with the "Illinois High Speed Rail from Chicago to St. Louis." It's just getting annoying since Amtrak has said they would restore the route but they still haven't.
@@TheAustinSubRailfan I’m surprised Texas Eagle hasn’t seen Chargers yet. As for the Superliners I think they’re trying to make do with what they got till a long distance manufacturer is selected.
@@TheAustinSubRailfan I see. Just learned about the ITCS system. Still trying to figure all the systems out, I only know about ACSES.
States of Wisconsin and Minnesota are contributing a large amount of funding.
OK - Better a late appearance than never!
So they're trying to be politically correct & not name it after one of the Hiawathas?
No, I think part of it might be that they’re going to the North Star state of Minnesota. And since we have a commuter rail that already carries that name. It just makes sense
If they wanted to be politically correct they would be changing the current Hiawatha route’s name. Doesn’t hurt to use a new name.
It'll be confusing if the Northern Lights Express from MSP to Duluth happens. Should have called it the Twin Cities Hiawatha or something.
i don't think you know what that means
No. There's already a regular train called the Hiawatha that runs between Chicago and Milwaukee daily.
They need to build more stations and fix the routes they have first, there are states that don't even have one Amtrak station so I don't get why they are so excited about new routes and high speed rail. It's just a glorified commuter line at this point.
The Borealis is a new route to the Amtrak Midwest system. Midwest is a state supported brand of Amtrak and it’s generally easier to get things done on the state level. Therefore, the Borealis managed to make it to life. The Borealis is still a great step in the right direction to getting more routes and service pushed out there. Even though it runs on track that other routes already run on (Empire Builder and Hiawatha), it does give people on this route more options and a direct connection between Chicago and St. Paul.
@@MrMarshmallow26 That's interesting. I've read that the Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville-Memphis extension of Amtrak might become a reality because they're planning on making I-24 an eight-lane super mega interstate and some bean counter suddenly realized they need to find a way to alleviate some of the auto traffic.
@@rockguitarist931 It’ll still be years before that happens with all the pre-planning, phases, and political disagreement this would have to go through. But Amtrak has been doing a great job trying to get more done. We’ve got the Chargers, new Acelas, and the 100+ year old Northeast Corridor infrastructure is finally being modernized. I do hope more service will get pushed out. I’m personally looking forward to Virginia’s Commonwealth Corridor.
There just seems to be in the general public a genuine misunderstanding for how much the states apart of the Midwest Services - IL, MI, MO, MN, and WI - contribute to these routes before federal funding, versus how a lot of the other states typically rely on federal funding to run; there are some obvious exceptions to but that's not the point. The opposite of the Midwest's success would be something like South Dakota's aversion to contributing to rail and thus not having it.
@@GoldFlamingo221 It seems to be a successful system. Obviously I gotta read into it and I know there’s been complaints about seating. But it’s a neat system nonetheless, able to run 110 mph on some segments.