Train derailment brings back talk of passenger rail route in southern Montana

"Everything that comes in and out of Montana goes on trains, so it is super important that we make sure the infrastructure is steady," Yellowstone County Commisioner Ostlund said. "That (derailment) was kind of a wake-up call for everybody. I think the infrastructure is vulnerable all across the United States."

Although Yellowstone County is a major holdout for a southern passenger rail line, others are still pushing for it. Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Chairman Dave Strohmaier of Missoula said that the additional rail line would be a huge economic benefit for the entire state.

"Here in Montana, we need to look no further than the Hi-Line to see the benefits of passenger rail," Strohmaier said. "In some of those more rural communities, it's a lifeline because they depend on passenger rail for transportation."

Strohmaier also said that safety precautions are always considered when discussing passenger rail, and the recent derailment doesn't change anything.

"Whether it's freight operations or passenger rail operations, we want to see the investments to make sure we have safe operations out there," Strohmaier said.