Amtrak has recently announced a new proposed schedule for a second train that would run between Chicago, IL and St. Paul, MN. This new schedule would provide more options for travelers and help to ease the strain on the current Amtrak service. If everything is planned and ready to go, the new 2nd train service will begin in or about 2023-2024.
The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Project (TCMC) will add a second daily round trip passenger train on the 411-mile rail corridor (used by Amtrak’s long-distance Empire Builder) between Chicago, Illinois and the Twin Cities.
The project will provide more choices and travel flexibility, with morning and mid-day departures from St. Paul and Chicago. It will also provide more reliable service with better on-time performance for both passenger and freight trains.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is working cooperatively with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Amtrak, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The LaCrosse Area Planning Committee and the Great River Rail Commission have also provided funding.
Here is the proposed map/schedule as follows:
To learn and understand the new route: Great River can be found at Wiki page as well.
To read the PDF Brochure about this new service, provided by Department of Transportation of Minnesota.
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