WADENA, Minn. 鈥� A possible passenger train stop in Wadena is gaining steam after Wadena City Council members unanimously approved a resolution of support for a project on the BNSF Railway.
The passenger depot has not been used for such a thing since 1971, 50 years ago. Council members, during their regular council meeting April 13, said adding the stop could help Wadena grow as a transportation hub.
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Mayor George Deiss mentioned that with Jefferson Lines bus services and this train stop, Wadena could grow as a place to stop and go.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a real good possibility where we could be a pretty good hub of transportation,鈥� Deiss said.
鈥淚 think that people are going back to that 鈥� trains, even in rural areas,鈥� councilman Mark Lunde said of the use of trains for transportation. Councilman Jessie Gibbs said that developed countries invest in train transportation, so they should be supporting such a thing.
This new service between Fargo/Moorhead, the Twin Cities and Chicago uses the current route of Amtrak鈥檚 Empire Builder at speeds up to 79 miles an hour. The difference is, instead of the train rolling through Wadena at 3:50 a.m., like the first train does, it would actually stop at about 8:36 a.m. and arrive in St. Paul/Minneapolis by 11:30 a.m.
The resolution throws support behind the idea of funding for the proposed second passenger train between the Twin Cities and Chicago by asking the Legislature to approve a minimum of $10 million that goes to match a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant.
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The state of Minnesota was awarded a CRISI grant in 2020 totaling $31.8 million for infrastructure improvements along the existing freight railroad鈥檚 right of way to enable the second train. Once operational, those supporting the project believe it could lead to passenger stops at small communities such as Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Staples, Little Falls and St. Cloud, on the way to the Twin Cities and beyond to Chicago. The project is part of the broader $160 million MnDOT State Rail Plan.
It鈥檚 looked at as an option for those who don鈥檛 want to or can鈥檛 drive or fly to these destinations. The group promoting this plan believes the second train will benefit Minnesota鈥檚 economy by an estimated $25 million annually, by supporting and increasing jobs, tourism, and creating a more economical travel choice. For every $1 invested in passenger rail service, it generates $3 in every community served, according to , the group promoting the second train plan.
