Profile avatar
bigskyrail.bsky.social
Revitalizing Communities and Building Sustainable Economies. Restoring regional passenger rail across southern Montana and the Big Sky North Coast Corridor #CID
42 posts 91 followers 74 following
Prolific Poster
Conversation Starter

Efforts to restore passenger rail service through Montana and Wyoming continue to build, as The @cowboystatedaily.bsky.social @davidcsdreporter.bsky.social report on growing support for the return of the North Coast Hiawatha and development of a Billings-to-El Paso corridor. tinyurl.com/2h2443fx

πŸš† Passenger rail momentum is growing! Plans to restore the Big Sky North Coast Corridor include stops in Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson & Montana. πŸ—£οΈ "A transformative opportunity," said Councilman David Steele. πŸ”— Read more: tinyurl.com/32fn53k8 #PassengerRail #Montana

A BNSF coal train derailed late on Feb. 24 near Miles City, MT, affecting 25-27 cars. While the cause is still under investigation, we recognize the importance of safe and resilient rail infrastructure. πŸ”— Read more: tinyurl.com/2mmjymxf

πŸš† Expanding passenger rail is a game-changer. The Big Sky North Coast Corridor could bring long-distance service back to Southern Montana and beyond β€”Smart's Business Wire just reshared our press release highlighting why this matters now more than ever. πŸ“„ Read more: tinyurl.com/mrjfuwth

πŸš† Big Sky Passenger Rail Aligns with USDOT Priorities! The USDOT is prioritizing transportation projects that expand economic opportunities, increase access to jobs & healthcare, and enhance safety. Passenger railβ€”like the Big Sky North Coast Corridorβ€”is a perfect fit. (πŸ§΅πŸ‘‡ More in next post)

Putting together the "who's who" of the advocacy world. If you know of a state/regional account that we should add, let us know! Let's make our voice heard together!

πŸš† Passenger rail is the future! A new US DOT order highlights the power of trains for economic growth, sustainability, and rural connectivity. Montana and the Greater Northwest deserve to be on the national rail map. Thanks to High-Speed Rail Alliance. πŸ“– Read more: tinyurl.com/8rwk7trw#Tra...

πŸš„ Big news for Montana and beyond! The FRA recommends restoring the North Coast Hiawatha routeβ€”a huge step toward reconnecting communities across the Northwest. Thanks #glendiverangerreview tinyurl.com/th3kb2r6 #BigSkyRail #PassengerRail #SustainableTravel

Big news! 🌟 Missoula’s Mountain Line is partnering with BSPRA to connect local transit with future passenger rail services. This is how we build stronger, more connected communities. πŸšπŸš† Full story here: tinyurl.com/3z9bvw5h #BigSkyCorridor #RailConnections #TransitFuture

Montana’s highways are closing. 🚧 123 miles of I-90 shut down. ❄️ Zero visibility. πŸš‘ No access to critical services. Passenger rail isn’t just saferβ€”it’s essential. Reliable, weatherproof transportation keeps Montana moving. #BigSkyRail #RailSafety #AccessForAll

With the FRA recommending restoration of the #NorthCoastHiawatha, efforts led by Commissioner Dave Strohmaier are gaining momentum. A $500K FRA grant will study what it will take to bring back this vital route. πŸ“– Full story: tinyurl.com/mr2dj47a πŸ“· Credit: Montana Free Press / Justin Franz

πŸš† Amtrak’s 2025 Plans at AASHTO were outlined for long-distance & state-supported routes. We’re tracking what this means for Montana & the Greater Northwest. The Big Sky North Coast Corridor would reconnect communities & strengthen regional transportation. πŸ”— tinyurl.com/mwchremx

πŸš† Our chairman, Dave Strohmaier, is in Washington, DC, fighting for passenger rail! While there, he attended AASHTO’s Committee on Rail Transportation (CORT), ensuring rail remains a national priority. #PassengerRail #RailExpansion #BigSkyRail #AASHTO πŸ“½οΈ Watch here: youtube.com/shorts/-Ibbz...

πŸš† Passenger Rail in the U.S. Could Be So Much Moreβ€”If Only the Government Would Fund It πŸ”οΈ The @fastcompany.com article below outlines how robust @amtrak.com service could be if the U.S. treated passenger rail as an absolute transportation priority. πŸ“– Read more: tinyurl.com/mryj9a45

"After a hiatus of over four decades, the dream of reinstating passenger rail service through Montana is steaming ahead, thanks to the dedicated efforts of @bigskyrail.bsky.social (BSPRA) and recent federal support" tinyurl.com/5ykzy22u #PassengerRail #MontanaRail #BigSkyRail #SustainableTravel

πŸš‰ Exciting news! Jamestown is highly likely to see the return of #passengerrail, connecting Chicago to Seattle, with stops in Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck and more. Thanks to The Jamestown Sun for making this accessible to all. πŸ“° tinyurl.com/3x79f3ns πŸ“· Photo by John M. Steiner

πŸ“½οΈ A vision for expanded passenger rail is taking shape in Montana and the Greater Northwest. The FRA’s Long-Distance Service Study outlines transformative connections, complementing the Empire Builder route. πŸŽ₯ Dive into the details in KULR8’s coverage: tinyurl.com/2xpxvew5 #PassengerRail

πŸš† The Future of U.S. Rail: What Lies Ahead? Key takeaways: πŸ‘‰ Bipartisan support for long-distance rail may counterbalance extreme cuts. πŸ‘‰ Speculation like this underscores the need for proactive advocacy and engagement with policymakers. πŸ”— tinyurl.com/mmne8b2a

🍻 Pint Night Alert! Join us at Great Burn Brewing on Jan. 23, 2025 (5–8 PM) for good beer & better connections! Support Big Sky Passenger Rail & Montana Trails Coalition. πŸ“ Missoula, MT. Tag your crew! #PintNight #MissoulaEvents #BigSkyRail #CraftBeer

πŸš‚ Trains were the way we traveled. What happened? Once, trains connected us to work, school, errands, and adventures. πŸŽ™οΈ In this episode: The history of U.S. passenger rail How cars & planes took over Why rail is making a comeback πŸ’‘ Listen now: tinyurl.com/45uke7t9

πŸš† Save the Date: BSPRA Board Meeting πŸš† πŸ“… Wednesday, January 8th πŸ•š 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (MT) πŸ’‘ Abe Zumwalt will provide an update on the Corridor ID program! Join us to discuss the future of passenger rail and community revitalization. πŸ”— Details & Agenda: www.bigskyrail.org/upcoming-mee...

πŸŒ„ Protecting the future of rail travel πŸŒ„ New legislation aims to eliminate forced arbitration for Amtrak passengers, ensuring justice for all. As ridership grows, we support efforts to make rail travel fair and accessible. Learn more: tinyurl.com/5y5tbub4 #BigSkyRail #PassengerAdvocacy

Senator Jon Tester shaped the future of rail in Montana. As an architect of the IIJA and BIL, he secured investments in rail, roads, and broadband while fighting for rural representation on boards like Amtrak. Welcome, Senator-elect Tim Sheehy, to continue this work! #PassengerRail #Montana

πŸš†We are making progress in passenger rail restoration across the Greater Northwest! Your donation fuels growth, advocacy, and expanded planning for 2025. 🌟 If you can, please donate here: bigskypassengerrailauthority-bloom.kindful.com πŸ“· Photo credit: Unsplash/@mikepetrucci

A Season of Connection 🌟 This holiday season, we honor the journeys that unite us: πŸš‰ Connecting communities 🎁 Spreading warmth and joy May your holidays be filled with shared journeys and hope for the future. Happy Holidays from Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.

🎁 Big news for passenger rail enthusiasts! Elaine Clegg, a champion for the Northwest, has been appointed to the Amtrak Board of Directors! πŸš†βœ¨ Her advocacy will shape the future of rail in the West, connecting communities & driving sustainable transit. www.valleyregionaltransit.org/news/vrt-ceo...

πŸš† Collaboration for Sustainable Transit 🌿 Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority & Mountain Line are partnering to connect communities and advance sustainable transportation solutions. Learn more: tinyurl.com/yx92va35 #PassengerRail #SustainableTransit #Collaboration

πŸš† Passenger Rail Update in Bozeman! Join us Monday, Nov 25, 12:00–1:00 PM at The Springs at Bozeman, 2632 Catron St. 🎀 Jason Stuart, Vice Chair of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, shares the future of rail in Southern Montana! βœ… Open to the publicβ€”bring your questions and curiosity!

πŸš‚ Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority welcomes the Bismarck-Mandan MPO to the Government Partners Program! This collaboration is a major step toward revitalizing passenger rail in the Northern Plains. Learn more: tinyurl.com/2e5cr3rn #PassengerRail #BigSkyRail #RegionalGrowth

Building Rail Talent with WTI’s $6.4M CRISI Grant! Workforce development in action, creating the next generation of rail professionals. Announcement ow.ly/L6Yz50U1Fwn #BigSkyRail #CRISIGrant #PublicTransportation #Railway

Sean Duffy, a former representative-turned-airline industry lobbyist and reality TV star, could now oversee the industry he wants to deregulate. www.levernews.com/trump-gives-...