June 1, 2025

Do you want to return passenger rail service to your town? Now is the time to make it happen!

The Federal Railroad Adminisation has recommended re-starting service from Seattle to Chicago via Stampede Pass, Pasco/Kenewick, and Spokane, then on to southern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to the locations listed on the FRA's map below, towns such as Auburn, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Toppenish, Ritzville, Prosser, and Cheney could also be served, either by long-disance or state-supported service.

The consultants planning this project have been asked to evaluate which of three routes through Washington state should be pursued: the Stampede Pass route, the Stevens Pass route, or the route via the Columbia Gorge. Since Stevens Pass and Columbia Gorge are already served by the Empire Builder, AAWA believes that the Stampede Pass route would be the best option.

So if you would like passenger rail services, toot your town's horn! Tell us:

• What tourist attractions would be of interest to visitors?
• What schools would potential students want to attend?
• How would train service benefit your town?
• What does your train station feature?
• What else is cool about your town?

Create a 5-10 minute video and post it by June 20, 2025 and send us the link. We'll work with you to share it with the folks who will make the decisions.