Minnesota seeks suggestions to improve statewide railroad network

3143593+AMTRAK.JPG — Amtrak's Empire Builder train makes a rare daytime stop in Fargo on its way from Chicago to Seattle in 2010.

February 09, 2024 at 4:26 PM

MOORHEAD 鈥� The Minnesota Department of Transportation has invited residents, businesses, train lovers and more to provide input on the Minnesota State Rail Plan.

According to a press release, the input received will be used to set the "vision and policy guidance" surrounding the state's railroad system and inform future investments.

Those interested in providing feedback may do so by taking a five-minute survey on using an or for more information on forthcoming public meetings or events.

According to the release, Minnesota has over 4,000 miles of freight and passenger rail lines. The Minnesota State Rail Plan is a piece of several Department of Transportation plans in support of a 50-year outlook for the state's transportation network.

Some individuals have already taken to using the interactive map to leave public feedback. Several users who left comments in the Fargo-Moorhead area called for additional departure and arrival times for Amtrak's Empire Builder line, lamenting that Amtrak's current schedule makes trips to and from the Twin Cities area "difficult" and "borderline unusable."

Currently, the Empire Builder is scheduled for daily eastbound departures from Fargo at 3:29 a.m. Between Fargo and St. Paul, the train also stops in Detroit Lakes, Staples and St. Cloud, The Empire Builder runs from Chicago to Spokane, Washington, where it splits off to either Seattle or Portland.

Other users who left comments on the Fargo-Moorhead area suggested a northbound trip that reaches Winnipeg.

A user who left a comment in the Detroit Lakes area also blamed Amtrak's early morning schedule for a lack of ridership in Minnesota's Lakes Region, noting Detroit Lakes is the only city in the area on the Amtrak line and could benefit from a more accessible timetable.

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Meanwhile, passenger train travel appears poised to take a major leap forward in North Dakota in the coming years. In December, the Federal Railroad Administration issued The line would run directly east and west in North Dakota, much like Interstate 94, and eventually reach the Pacific coast.

Further information on Minnesota's rail plan may be found by visiting

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