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.
“And I won’t until people go back to being passengers instead of cargo.”
I don’t see that happening in our lifetime.
I admit Amtrak is not perfect but I felt like a passenger and not luggage in the boxcar on that train. I had a wonderful time.
We seriously considered taking part of a vacation via Amtrak. Then I read reviews. The majority opinion was that it’s a make-work program for blacks, and horribly unreliable re schedules. White passengers were treated like s**t, and deference was given to minorities.
That said, I would LOVE to travel via train vs air. It would be nice for more routes to be added, and to have excellent management.
Train travel has local competition in a lot of states. I rode the Metrolink in Los Angeles county. That was fun and not a bad experience. I was shocked that it did not cost very much either.
AMTRAK isn’t competition.
It’s Deep State putting it’s finger on the scale.
Folks really oughta check out what’s to be had elsewhere.
Making America great again should include offering our consumers the best private sector train travel to be had on the planet.
Don’t believe the reviews. I just came back from a trip out west on Amtrak and it was wonderful. PM me and ask me anything.
If it’s a good idea, it doesn’t need federal funds. If it’s a bad idea, it should be ignored until somebody can turn it into a good idea.
Thanks! I definitely will do that if we consider a train trip again.
Bolwash to NYC to Boston corridor makes money and people use it for commuting at a traffic level the roads could never support. Been there done that ,lived it ,loved it. You can get from Penn station to Atlantic City in a couple hours gamble eat party and be home by morning rush hour for classes or work.
Florida has high speed rail Bright Line and it’s private making money th36 are extending to Tampa soon. Same group is building LA to Vegas that will rock as well. Lived in L.A. & San Diego Area and Vegas over the years and different wives Socal definitely needs an alternative to I15 what a bloody nightmare that road is.
I hope I live long enough to see Brightline stopping at the Lakeland Amtrak station near me.
The only problem with Brightline ORL-MIAMI has been the number of crashes with autos on the tracks, all of which have been the fault of the autos.
Oh the great days of train travel on Santa Fe system Amtrak is more like a cattle car with seats.
People in Denver, Portland, and everywhere in between, should be free to invest as much of their own money as they want in railroad passenger service.
Chicago to Seattle? Isn’t that covered by The Empire Builder (different route)? My late wife and I took the EB once to visit her brother and his family in Minot ND. I have always enjoyed rail travel both in Europe (my old company built the TGV) and the US. A big plus for me is the ability to get up and walk around rather than being tied into my seat.
We have some local owned bus companies that are clean, comfortable and gems
Better than any Amtrak that they are
Absolutely right. We rented roomettes on the long distance western trains and loved it, watching the back country go by in winter and summer. I hope we can do it again soon on the newest route, the Floridian, Miami to Chicago.
You got the roomettes. I went to California and back by coach on the USA Rail Pass. I’d do it again tomorrow.
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