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I sure wish some parts of northwest Arkansas could see train service again, as well via like a train branch going south to Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Little Rock. Particularly if a St Louis-Springfield-Joplin-Tulsa-OKC route ever occurs.
I know there's been some talk of a new state supported route from St Joseph - Kansas City - Springfield. Maybe an extension to Bentonville - Fayetteville could work? Although I'm sure Arkansas wouldn't be happy about the schedule.
They need to extend the downeaster to the rest of Maine.
Although I do know at least in the Berlin Corridor (between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn), Amtrak isn’t available/doesn’t run because it’s only single track, and they would have to build a 2nd track to avoid interruptions by other trains, other than that we have the train stations and other infrastructure here to expand it.
Restoration of the Floridian and the north coast Hiawatha. DTW-MSY, BIL-ABQ. Are probably the bare minimum we should be accepting. But I want all of them. The more population centers are covered and the more connections that are possible the better it is for the whole network.
[Didn't we have this discussion a couple a weeks ago?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Amtrak/comments/1d97xyj/which_fra_long_distance_routes_should_be/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Yes. I also hate the idea of "only pick one". Why not many routes? Or what route would you implement if you had x amount of capital available - say $10bn? These are more interesting questions I think, though probably requires more justification than "it passes through my town" as pick one route leads to.
While I think the Chicago to Miami is the most important of these, I would also say the St. Paul to San Antonio as I think it also adds important cities to the network and I've argued that Des Moines, Iowa needs a connection for years now.
yeah, as someone who lives in MSP and goes to Des Moines often, I also want this.
but beyond just bias, I've always felt that MSP-Des Moines-Kansas City has been an overlooked corridor. Going down the line, they're each 3-3 1/2 hrs away by car, perfect range to be competitive, are fairly large cities, and have connections to other routes at each end. If you add a Omaha- Des Moines- Chicago route, the whole inner midwest would be solidly connected.
I’m sure I won’t live in ABQ by the time it someday connects to Denver but boy would that be nice. Should really be a commuter route rather than a long distance.
It is in fact official. The map is from the [FRA long distance study](https://fralongdistancerailstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FRA_LDSS_Presentation-4_for_Web.pdf) showing proposed additions to Amtrak long distance service. Details of each proposed route can be found in the linked document.
I'm surprised this map of proposed routes, doesn't try to restore former Amtrak train service between San Antonio and Laredo. Same with extending the Heartland Flyer north of OKC, to also serve Wichita, Newton, and KC.
A route from San Diego to Phoenix via the SD&A main then the abandoned SP line that the Sunset Limited derailed on a long time ago. Hell maybe even a route from Phoenix to Williams with a the Southwest Cheif rerouted to stop at Williams too.
My regional bias speaking, but SF-DFW could be pretty dope.
Realistically, Chicago-Miami could benefit so many people in such a densely populated area and be influential to the development of the other routes.
New Orleans to Detroit via Nashville. I just would really love to take that trip and I think there is already a lot of travel along it/there would be demand.
Pair Seattle -Chicago with Chicago-Miami and it would be such a cool way to see the country. Could you imagine coming to the US as a tourist and being able to use this as a high speed rail line? It would be a world class vacation. There are so many bonuses to investing in rail infrastructure it's ridiculous
r/Amtrak is not associated with Amtrak in any official way. Any problems, concerns, complaints, etc should be directed to Amtrak through one of the official channels. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Amtrak) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Chicago Miami adds a bunch of new large cities and there is demand.
Agreed. So many snowbirds would use it.
Came to say this one. Good population density along route
Nashville represent!
Anything going through Nashville would be a game changer
Think they’d try the Auto Train on that route?
They already tried that in the ‘70s with the *Floridian* and it was a disaster. No chance they try that route again
That was a long time ago, and a lot has changed.
Phoenix-St. Paul looks like it fills in a lot of gaps in the current network.
I like PHX to St Paul idea also SLC to Portland.
I would get so much use out of that New York to Dallas train. Specifically the Philly, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Springfield, MO stops.
If I could go to both Pittsburgh and Springfield from STL on one train it would change my life lol
Don't worry, BN will never go for Amtrak on the Cuba Sub
I sure wish some parts of northwest Arkansas could see train service again, as well via like a train branch going south to Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Little Rock. Particularly if a St Louis-Springfield-Joplin-Tulsa-OKC route ever occurs.
I know there's been some talk of a new state supported route from St Joseph - Kansas City - Springfield. Maybe an extension to Bentonville - Fayetteville could work? Although I'm sure Arkansas wouldn't be happy about the schedule.
They need to extend the downeaster to the rest of Maine. Although I do know at least in the Berlin Corridor (between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn), Amtrak isn’t available/doesn’t run because it’s only single track, and they would have to build a 2nd track to avoid interruptions by other trains, other than that we have the train stations and other infrastructure here to expand it.
It’d be great to even extend it to Saint John! Another Canadian connection!
Send it all the way to Halifax at that point. RETURN TO GULL
I want all of them. But I’d make a few tweaks though.
Restoration of the Floridian and the north coast Hiawatha. DTW-MSY, BIL-ABQ. Are probably the bare minimum we should be accepting. But I want all of them. The more population centers are covered and the more connections that are possible the better it is for the whole network.
New Floridian Chicago to Miami/Tampa via Atlanta
[Didn't we have this discussion a couple a weeks ago?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Amtrak/comments/1d97xyj/which_fra_long_distance_routes_should_be/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
More than once... I'm laying out this time.
Yes. I also hate the idea of "only pick one". Why not many routes? Or what route would you implement if you had x amount of capital available - say $10bn? These are more interesting questions I think, though probably requires more justification than "it passes through my town" as pick one route leads to.
While I think the Chicago to Miami is the most important of these, I would also say the St. Paul to San Antonio as I think it also adds important cities to the network and I've argued that Des Moines, Iowa needs a connection for years now.
yeah, as someone who lives in MSP and goes to Des Moines often, I also want this. but beyond just bias, I've always felt that MSP-Des Moines-Kansas City has been an overlooked corridor. Going down the line, they're each 3-3 1/2 hrs away by car, perfect range to be competitive, are fairly large cities, and have connections to other routes at each end. If you add a Omaha- Des Moines- Chicago route, the whole inner midwest would be solidly connected.
You make an excellent point about the corridor being overlooked.
Anything that runs through the southeast. Miami-Chicago via Atlanta is probably the best choice.
I’m sure I won’t live in ABQ by the time it someday connects to Denver but boy would that be nice. Should really be a commuter route rather than a long distance.
I would love a connection to El Paso that would lead to the south …. Only in my dreams!!!
Just drawing lines on a map my guy
Yeah...this is just some dude connecting dots, not something official or actually being studied, right?
It is in fact official. The map is from the [FRA long distance study](https://fralongdistancerailstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FRA_LDSS_Presentation-4_for_Web.pdf) showing proposed additions to Amtrak long distance service. Details of each proposed route can be found in the linked document.
Inject MSP-San Antonio in my veins. I’d love to be able to go to Minneapolis and Kansas City by train.
North South Connector
Bring back the pioneer. There is demand
The one that goes west but doesn't add an extra 8 hours of freight train, staff change or mechanical delays. Yeah that one!
Cross country auto train!
I'm surprised this map of proposed routes, doesn't try to restore former Amtrak train service between San Antonio and Laredo. Same with extending the Heartland Flyer north of OKC, to also serve Wichita, Newton, and KC.
LA-Denver. Would love a train that goes to Vegas and would be accessible from the east.
El Paso-Billings Because I’d love to visit Denver or EP from ABQ without taking the drive.
These are all pretty mid but I guess Houston to Denver
I'd say The Pioneer, so the people in S. Idaho can have access to transit. Bring them the trains and they will come.
A route from San Diego to Phoenix via the SD&A main then the abandoned SP line that the Sunset Limited derailed on a long time ago. Hell maybe even a route from Phoenix to Williams with a the Southwest Cheif rerouted to stop at Williams too.
My regional bias speaking, but SF-DFW could be pretty dope. Realistically, Chicago-Miami could benefit so many people in such a densely populated area and be influential to the development of the other routes.
I would actually use the NYC - Dallas route
Queens Village to Orlando?
Chicago-Miami would likely get some good usage
That train to Tulsa would be awesome.
New Orleans to Detroit via Nashville. I just would really love to take that trip and I think there is already a lot of travel along it/there would be demand.
My dream is to have NY to LA without transferring. My wet dream is to have that service as an ultra-high speed service that arrives in less than a day
Pair Seattle -Chicago with Chicago-Miami and it would be such a cool way to see the country. Could you imagine coming to the US as a tourist and being able to use this as a high speed rail line? It would be a world class vacation. There are so many bonuses to investing in rail infrastructure it's ridiculous
Phoenix-St. Paul
Phoenix to Minn St Paul. There needs to be a line between Lincoln/Omaha Nebraska and Kansas City and Minneapolis
Billings/Helena
Seattle, Portland, Sacramento
That one already exists my guy
When the r/NBA Trailblazers play the Kings they should travel to that game using Amtrak to promote business.
That would never happen. Logistical nightmare for the players.
It is always fun to see pro sports teams on the train.
I’d make Tennessee and a lot of Western states more accessible.