Bismarck Tribune editorial: New benefits seen from old way to travel

Those who have had the experience of traveling on a passenger train know how enjoyable it can be. Unfortunately, for many North Dakotans catching a train hasn’t been a viable option. Amtrak’s Empire Builder goes from Fargo to Minot and than to the West Coast, but there’s no service in the central part of the state. The North Coast Hiawatha train once went from Fargo through Bismarck, Mandan and Dickinson to the coast, but it was discontinued by Amtrak in 1979.

The Hiawatha may be returning because of Federal Railroad Administration funding for 10 passenger rail projects in the country. Part of the $8.2 billion available will go to considering the revival of the Hiawatha route through North Dakota, Montana and Idaho to Washington state. The project is being overseen by the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. David Strohmaier, a county commissioner in Missoula, Montana, is chairman of Big Sky.

The Tribune Editorial Board believes reviving the route could be an economic boost for the states involved. Hopefully, Big Sky can pull it off. Read more.