Big Sky Passenger Rail Takes Another Big Step Forward

Slowly but surely, there could be a new scenic way to travel out of the Gallatin Valley soon.

KBZK is reporting that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has twelve counties that are now backing this proposal to bring back the North Coast Hiawatha route. This was a train route that actually existed in the southern part of the state that stopped in 1979.

If they were to bring back this route, some of the cities that would have stops include Bozeman, Livingston, Missoula, Billings, and others. This route would connect with the northern route that still exists in Montana so commuters on the train would have an option if traveling west to go to Seattle or Portland or go east to Minneapolis or Chicago.

Even though they have so far twelve counties behind this proposal, they got another vote of confidence from Governor-elect Greg Gianforte. That's a huge endorsement to bring this route back.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority plan on having a meeting with the counties on how infrastructure will have to change to accommodate to the passenger rail and where they would need to install possible rail stations.

The whole proposal seems like a huge undertaking but the benefits could be huge from this train coming back to Montana. I would be a huge supporter of this passenger train making an appearance back in Bozeman. One of the points the rail authority is pointing out is the tourism dollars that could come in but for me, it's the interstate travel. One of the things I hate is driving in the winter on the interstate and if I have a chance to take a safe way to go see my family and not drive on icy roads. Yes please!

How do you guys feel about a passenger train coming back to Bozeman? Are you for the proposal?

For more details, check out KBZK.