Rail Junction

Lore & Background

It states that six metropolitan statistical areas with populations over one million residents lack inter-city train service. The text also notes that South Dakota and Wyoming have no such service at all. Historically, the only international passenger connection mentioned is the Inter-American service between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, which operated from 1973 to 1981. Currently, there are no international trains between the U.S. and Mexico, nor to Canada outside of Ontario, Montreal, and Vancouver.

In Their Own Story

In the real-world scenarios described by the source, gaps in service persist despite proposals for restoration. Cities such as Boise, Mobile, Tallahassee, Billings, and Wichita are noted as targets for renewed service through studies of formerly canceled lines or new high-speed rail proposals. Specific past services mentioned include the Pioneer (Chicago-Denver-Seattle), the Black Hawk (Chicago-Dubuque), and the North Coast Hiawatha (Chicago-Fargo-Seattle). The source also highlights that the closest Amtrak service to Mexico is found along the Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and Pacific Surfliner routes in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and San Diego.

Reader's Guide

It does offer facts about real-world connectivity: cities are considered served if they are within 35 miles (56 km) of an inter-city station. Some cities not directly served may still receive service via Amtrak Thruway. The text lists specific gaps, noting that the Quad Cities (four adjoining cities in northwest Illinois and southeastern Iowa) are among those studied for potential restoration. It also mentions that the Montrealer could be extended from St. Albans, VT to Montreal, QC, and that a New Orleans-Orlando segment of the Sunset Limited remains a proposal.

Did You Know?

• Six metropolitan statistical areas with populations over one million residents currently lack inter-city train service.
• The states of South Dakota and Wyoming have no inter-city passenger rail service at all.
• From 1973 to 1981, Amtrak operated the Inter-American, allowing transfers between Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.
• Cities studied for potential renewed service include Boise, Mobile, Tallahassee, Billings, and Wichita.
• The proposed Black Hawk route would have connected Chicago to Dubuque in eastern Iowa.