Posted on 04/29/2025 10:04:38 AM PDT by Morgana
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) submitted a report to Congress urging action to restore passenger train service. The report proposes a daily Amtrak route from Portland to Denver, with stops in Baker City, Oregon. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Amtrak ended its Pioneer Route in 1997, and efforts to revive it have occurred sporadically since then. Oregon’s senators have endorsed the idea multiple times, advocating for the route’s return. In 2021, Congress instructed the FRA to evaluate potential new long-distance train routes, including the Pioneer Route. The recent FRA report highlights the Pioneer Route as one of its proposed daily runs.
A local group from Baker County collected 1,090 signatures in 2024, supporting the route’s restoration. These signatures were sent to Amtrak, the FRA, and state legislators. Despite this effort, the report emphasizes that restoring service requires further analysis. The FRA stresses the need for extensive planning, engineering studies, and cost assessments before making final recommendations.
Amtrak Pioneer Route Gains Support from FRA and Local Advocates
Funding remains a major challenge for reinstating the Pioneer Route, as long-distance operations rely heavily on federal support. Unlike regional services, these routes lack state or local funding contributions. The FRA report outlines the need for federal commitment to sustain the operational costs of new routes.
The timing of the FRA report coincides with the cancellation of Greyhound’s bus route between Portland and Boise. This development underscores the importance of improving transportation options for rural areas. Advocates argue that rail service could provide a sustainable and reliable alternative to existing transit.
Matt Krabacher, a Baker City resident and vice president of the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates (AORTA), expressed strong support for the FRA’s findings. He called the inclusion of the Pioneer Route in the report “hugely important” for advancing the project.
“The FRA has established the Pioneer as a national priority, giving states a reason to pursue its restoration,” Krabacher said. He believes the report provides a solid foundation for convincing lawmakers to support the project. Without federal recognition, persuading legislators to back the route would have been much harder.
Funding Challenges for Amtrak’s Pioneer Route Restoration
Krabacher emphasized that the FRA report legitimizes the route as a viable option for expanding the national rail network. He noted that federal funding is already available to cover the majority of costs associated with creating new rail connections.
“Having the Pioneer Route in this report allows citizens to pressure their legislators with clear evidence,” Krabacher said. He sees the FRA’s endorsement as a game changer, reducing barriers to securing state-level support for the project.
The FRA’s assessment is a critical first step in a long process toward restoring passenger rail service. The report’s findings highlight the potential for federal investment to revitalize the Pioneer Route and strengthen regional transportation infrastructure. Advocates like Krabacher remain optimistic, believing the project could benefit both the economy and the environment.
Restoring the Pioneer Route would connect rural communities in Eastern Oregon with larger urban centers. Improved rail service could boost tourism, provide a sustainable alternative to driving, and offer a critical link for travelers. The FRA’s report sets the stage for further collaboration between federal, state, and local stakeholders to make this vision a reality.
Unlike the mean Stewardess on airlines the Amtrak staff are all stand up comedians. On my latest trip on the SuperChief one guy said on the PA, "Look to your left and you will see Summer cows. Yes Summer black, summer white and summer brown".
A sure money loser?
I grew up in Japan, train capital of the world, and have been back often since. I love trains.
In America, practically all trains are money pits, and take more time to get somewhere than driving, much less flying. When we clean out the DEI from airline staff and controllers, flying will be the safest way to travel once again, and except for Boswash, passenger trains are generally a waste of money.
Rail fan here who has ridden most of Amtrak’s long routes. The train cannot be beat when it comes to sitting back and enjoying spectacular scenery, great food and a comfortable bed in the sleeping cars. Try it.
Long distance rail travel is enjoyable if one has the time for it. In the modern world most don’t, and air travel is preferred for it expediency. Long distance rail lines almost always run at a loss paid for by the government. A more practical improvement would be to improve train connections to airports to aid travelers. I would start by connecting JFK, NY with Newark, NJ with one train rather than a bus that gets stuck in traffic, or three different trains as is now the case. That stated, air travel has become miserable due to too much government deregulation of basic traveler comfort and consumer protection.
Amtrack is a welfare queen. If they can’t make it with fares, let it die. Worst travel experience I had was on Amtrack from Los Angeles up to Seattle. Train broke down at the Oregon border for a full day. They ran out of water and food and the toilets all filled up. What would have been a three hour flight for the same price was a three day disaster.
One of the major problems with amtrak is it doesn’t have dedicated track and uses freight lines for a fee.
That makes for a rougher ride that directly translates to low ridership.
Not to mention, last time I checked it was damned expensive.
Couple all that with the government running it and it’s one big fat lover. Just my 2 cent.
LOSER not lover.....sheesh
How many stops could Amtrak make in Baker City? Only about 10,000 people in the whole town.
Denver to Portland is a three hour flight, about an 18 hour drive. How long by train?
Trains are cool.
Time and money both. I loved the few train trips I've taken in the USA, but they cost a lot compared to driving.
Cross country trail trip would be interesting, but I do think many others would share that sentiment. I know Amtrak is a financial arterial bleed, but it won’t be interesting to see what Elon Musk would do with it. Or the post office.
Passenger trains went out of business for a variety of reasons, but mostly due to time and convenience. For business travel it’s a no brainer a few hours on a plane or a day or more on a train. For a leisure trip arriving at your destination means having to rent a car or depend on services like Uber. Not a cheap option if you want to sight see in an area. I love trains and traveled as a kid across the country on family vacations, but looking at the cost and having to make other travel arrangements at my destination I doubt I will travel by train.
The wonderful thing about trains? NO MIDDLE SEAT! More room in the seats, they recline and the person behind you is not bothered. Then on the superliners there is the cafe car with the big windows where everyone enjoys the view.
I noticed something on my last trip. Train travelers are not grumpy like those on airplanes. There are no fights at the train ticket station like at the airport. Train people are fun to be around where on an airplane it’s worse than Greyhound ever was.
I figured out why too. People who take the airlines don’t want to fly and are unhappy about it going in. Rude airline staff, small seats and shitty service has made airline clients grumpy. People who take the trains WANT to take the trains and are happy, joyful and more fun to be around.
The advantage trains have in Europe is due to higher population density and more concentration in city centers. A train will take you directly downtown.
“How many stops could Amtrak make in Baker City? Only about 10,000 people in the whole town. “
I’d have to look up the stats for that town later but I can tell you this.
Thurmond, West Virginia has an Amtrak stop and Thurmond is a Ghost Town. Amtrak pics up an average of 380 people per year at that stop. Go figure.
I’ve been looking at videos on YouTube of train travel in Japan and Europe.
I’ve come to one conclusion.
AMTRAK sucks.
Acela is there for Deep State, and ghe rest just provides cover for Acela service.
We need to get rid of AMTRAK and allow private biz to take over train travel.
Agreed!
I’m not saying that Amtrak wouldn’t or shouldn’t make a stop in Baker City, but I thought it was odd that the article would specify multiple stops.
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