Hourslong delays for eastbound Amtrak trains arriving at the La Crosse station are not uncommon, but Amtrak’s planned Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago intercity passenger service aims to offer more reliable scheduling.
“This second train will be dedicated just between Chicago and St Paul. It will not go on beyond St. Paul, it will turn around and go back. So that is going to eliminate a lot of those delays already,” said Trista MatasCastillo, Ramsey County commissioner and chair of the Great River Rail Commission, a group of governmental officials advocating for the passenger rail project.
Service is set to begin in 2024 or sooner, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website. Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari confirmed riders should expect service to begin according to the state agency’s timeline.
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The train will run from Chicago to the Twin Cities on existing tracks used by Amtrak’s Empire Builder and will replace and extend one of the seven Hiawatha services between Milwaukee and Chicago.
“For tourism, for students, for businesses, there’s a huge benefit,” said Peter Fletcher, La Crosse Area Planning Committee executive director. “With the added service, two trains a day, there are opportunities to go down on one train and come back on another, so that opens up a lot of business opportunities.”
The arrival of a second train from Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago comes as ridership rebounds from the pandemic. In fiscal year 2019, between October 2018 and September 2019, there were over 970,000 boardings and exits on the Amtrak trains in Wisconsin and over 130,000 in Minnesota.
Ridership in both states sank over the next two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Amtrak reported total ridership grew by 89% in fiscal year 2022 with overall ridership returning to 85% of pre-pandemic levels. While state-specific data is not available for fiscal year 2022, ridership on the Hiawatha route more than doubled and ridership on the Empire Builder route increased by over 37%.
The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago second train is expected to serve more than 124,000 riders in its first year of service.
Only one passenger train runs in each direction from Chicago to St. Paul a day on the Empire Builder, which continues west to Seattle or Portland. Eastbound trains are often delayed before reaching St. Paul.
According to Amtrak data for fiscal year 2021, 57% of Empire Builder riders arrived at their destination on time, compared to nearly 95% riders on the Hiawatha.
Travelers wait for the train Wednesday at the Amtrak Station in La Crosse, where the Empire Builder makes frequent stops as it provides service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.
“The longer the route, the more opportunity there is for disruption at all the stops along the way. That’s a lot of rail to keep cleared, weather, floods, snow,” said MatasCastillo. “Right now passenger rail stops for freight, and they’re using the same track.”
Track improvements
The second train project includes upgrading infrastructure between Winona and La Crosse that has caused increased conflicts with passenger and freight rail. “It’s not just passenger improvements here, it’s also freight improvements,” said MatasCastillo.
Local government agencies in Wisconsin and Minnesota have been interested in expanded passenger rail service for over a decade, after then-Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker scrapped high speed rail plans.
“The discussion changed from, ‘Well, this is what we have as far as our existing service, how can we improve it?’” said Fletcher.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation in 2012 requested Amtrak to study the feasibility of adding a second train to run between Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. The passenger rail operator issued a report in 2015 finding sufficient demand to expand operations.
Travelers wait on the platform at the La Crosse Amtrak Station as the eastbound Empire Builder arrives Wednesday.
In the following years, the state transportation departments and partner organizations needed to complete a variety of environmental, engineering and service studies while applying for federal grants and securing state funding.
Railroad improvements in La Crosse, La Crescent and Winona total $53 million, with a Federal Railroads Administration grant covering 60% of the cost and Amtrak committing $5 million. Wisconsin and Minnesota provided over $6 million and $10 million respectively.
“In Minnesota, it took us a couple of years to get the funding dollars allocated,” said MatasCastillo. “The $10 million dollar match from Minnesota came into play, which gets us now moving to the next phases.”
The state governments of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois are in negotiations to split annual operations costs. An additional federal grant of $12.6 million will fund 90% of operating costs in 2024 and 2025.
After a period of public comment last year, the final design plans for rail improvements are scheduled to be completed this year with construction starting in 2024 and ending in 2025. Ongoing supply chain issues may make it difficult to secure the materials needed for construction and train engines, said MatasCastillo.
“We’d have to have available rail cars to assign and crews that are trained to operate,” said Magliari. “The Empire Builder already exists, we have crews that are qualified on the route, that is an easier hurdle to get over.”
Infrastructure improvements include track extensions and signal upgrades aimed at reducing conflicts between passenger and freight trains and increased speeds and platform upgrades are planned for the La Crosse and Winona stations. Following a brief closure due to a staffing issue, the Winona station has reopened, said MatasCastillo.
Drivers also can expect safer train intersections and shorter waiting periods at gates, said Fletcher.
“For the long-term operation of the service, the corridor improvements are going to make it run more efficiently in avoiding any delays,” said Fletcher. “Because of those improvements, the freight movement through this area will be better, safer.”
Under an agreement with Amtrak and Canadian Pacific, which owns most the rail corridor, service could begin before construction starts in 2024.
“The opportunity for an early start is something that would be great if it could happen but we’ll wait and see. We know it’s certainly coming in the future,” said Fletcher.
25 must-visit hidden gems from across the US
25 must-visit hidden gems from across the US
From big cities to iconic national monuments to well-known tourist traps, there's no shortage of popular vacation destinations within the United States. However, sometimes the most memorable trips happen when you seek out unexpected, under-the-radar spots that you never would've known about without some prior research.
For instance, although the U.S. is home to 63 national parks, famous ones like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park tend to get the lion's share of tourist attention. On your next excursion, why not try an underrated gem like New Mexico's White Sands National Park or Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park?
Even if nature isn't your scene, there are plenty of other underrated activities across the country that deserve to go on your bucket list, from Indianapolis' City Market Catacombs to the interactive art within Santa Fe's Meow Wolf.
Still, finding those under-the-radar gems can amount to quite a bit of work. So to help you get started, Stacker has compiled a list of 25 must-visit hidden gems from across the United States, using travel guides, news articles, national park and company websites, and more. Read on to find out where your next unexpected yet great vacation could be. You can thank us later!
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The World's Largest Mailbox, Casey, Illinois
The town of Casey, Illinois is no stranger to breaking world records—it's home to the largest chair in the U.S.—and the world's largest mailbox, which was created as part of businessman Jim Bolin's Big Things in a Small Town workshop. Measuring a whopping 5,743.41 cubic feet, the Casey mailbox is also fully functional and features a built-in stairway where visitors can mail letters of their own.
Mermaid statues and European influence in Solvang, California
Tucked away just two hours from Los Angeles, the quaint town of Solvang, California, is modeled after Denmark and Spain. With its Copenhagen-esque mermaid statues and Spanish cathedrals, you'll be surprised you're not in Europe! Solvang is also conveniently close to Santa Barbara wine country so you can top off your trip with some wine tasting.
Salty dunes at White Sands National Park in Tularosa Basin, New Mexico
New Mexico is home to one of the most underrated national parks: White Sands National Park. Giant wave-like dunes of white gypsum salt cover 275 miles of desert, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world.
The world's only Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota
While it might not be one of the buzziest tourist traps, the tiny town of Mitchell, South Dakota, draws over 500,000 annual visitors thanks to its local Corn Palace. Built in 1892, the palace is made entirely of corn and corn husks. It hosts a yearly festival to celebrate the state's main crop each August.
On the set of 'The Truman Show' in Seaside, Florida
If you've ever seen the fake city where Jim Carrey's character lives in 1998's "The Truman Show," you might've assumed that the pastel, cartoonish city was entirely constructed for the film. However, it was mainly filmed in the real-life town of Seaside, Florida, which was initially built in the 1980s as a planned community. Located about 20 minutes from Panama City Beach, the quintessential beach town seems from another era.
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Underground waterfall in Ruby Falls, Tennessee
Ruby Falls is America's tallest underground waterfall, meaning that it's literally a hidden gem. Located within Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee, visitors can descend 260 feet by elevator to see Ruby Falls' ancient cave formations and wander its cavern trail.
Bishop Castle in Rye, Colorado
Yes, there really is a castle located in central Colorado! Bishop Castle is hidden in the foothills of the San Isabel National Forest and was constructed by its namesake, Jim Bishop, in 1959. It features stained glass windows, wrought-iron bridges, and even a steel, fire-breathing dragon.
The wonders of Fly Geyser in northern Nevada
The Fly Geyser was accidentally created in 1964 as a result of an artesian well, but the results are still spectacular. Because different mineral deposits—such as algae, iron, and sulfur—coexist, the water from the geyser spews five feet in the air in numerous vibrant colors. Although Fly Geyser is located on private property, visitors can still book tours to see it on the weekends.
Wild horses in Assateague Island
The 37-mile-long barrier island, Assateague Island straddles both Maryland and Virginia. Although it's arguably best known for its wild horse population, the spot is a true nature lover's oasis, and visitors can often spot bottlenose dolphins, endangered peregrine falcons, and over 200 additional species of birds.
Byodo-In Temple and the Japanese American experience in Kaneohe, Hawaii
Did you know you can find a replica of a Japanese World Heritage Site in Hawaii? Byodo-In Temple is just that. Located within the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the replica of the Uji, Japan temple of the same name was opened in 1968 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants coming to Hawaii.
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Take a dip at Hamilton Pool Preserve in Travis County, Texas
Located just 23 miles west of Austin, the stunning natural Hamilton Pool Preserve was first created when an underground river collapsed thousands of years ago. While it's still off the beaten path, it's slowly becoming a more popular tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the jade green water and taking in the pool's 50-foot waterfall.
Escape to Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, Wisconsin
Wisconsin's Lake Superior is home to a whopping 22 islands collectively known as the Apostle Islands, which offer a secluded escape to visitors. A major highlight is the islands' gorgeous natural ice caves, which you can explore via kayak in the spring and summer.
First National Monument in Devils Tower, Wyoming
Fun fact: The first official United States National Monument was a strange geological monolith in Wyoming known as Devils Tower. Based in the Black Hills, the rock structure is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indigenous groups and is quite a sight to behold.
The colorful Heidelberg Project in Detroit, Michigan
When Heidelberg Project creator and artist Tyree Guyton returned to Heidelberg, the street where he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, he found it riddled with poverty and substance abuse. To combat these issues, he embarked on the Heidelberg Project, creating guerrilla-art installations using abandoned houses, transformed with polka dots and various painting designs.
Going up the Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque, Iowa
Located within the town of Dubuque, Iowa, the Fenelon Place Elevator has been dubbed the world's "shortest, steepest, scenic railway." A $3 round trip gives visitors panoramic views of the Mississippi River and three surrounding states: Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
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Explore Mackinac Island in Michigan
Home to the historic Fort Mackinac, Michigan's Mackinac Island is today a quintessential American summer getaway town. In the virtual absence of cars, you can get around the island by carriage tours and bicycles, in between sampling the island's famous homemade fudge and taking in Indigenous art at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.
Brick ruins at City Market Catacombs in Indianapolis, Indiana
Beneath the hustle and bustle of the Indianapolis City Market lie the City Market Catacombs, a Romanesque expanse of brick arches that are all that remains of Tomlinson Hall, which burned in a 1958 fire. Now, visitors can take guided tours of the area, while learning trivia about the historic City Market.
Millionaire Village in Jekyll Island, Georgia
Located off the coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island was originally built as a lavish getaway for some of America's wealthiest citizens, including the Rockefellers and the Pulitzers. These days, it's open to the public, where you can tour historic homes and indulge in nature—65% of Jekyll Island is intentionally kept wild to foster local flora and fauna. Fun fact: The beachy vacation spot was also the site of the first transcontinental telephone call!
Yellow brick road at the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas
Since "The Wizard of Oz" is the first thing many people think of when they think of the state of Kansas, it's only fitting that Kansas should have an impressive museum dedicated to the fantastical world that author L. Frank Baum created. Located in Wamego, Kansas, the Oz Museum contains over 2,500 pieces of Oz memorabilia relating to both the film adaptation and Baum's book series.
A macrocosmic adventure at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe's Meow Wolf is home to more than 70 rooms of immersive, multimedia art installations. It also features the permanent art installation known as "House of Eternal Return," in which guests piece together the mysteries of a fantastical house through non-linear storytelling.
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Mile High Swinging Bridge in Linville, North Carolina
Brave the heights of Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge that spans an 80-foot chasm and provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding North Carolina mountains. While you're in town, you can also enjoy nearby hiking trails and wildlife habitats at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
Known as the "Rainbow Forest," Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park is full of colorful petrified wood fossilized over 200 million years ago. Preserved in time, the site is home to a whopping 600 archaeological sites.
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library in Winterthur, Delaware
Originally the home of horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont, Delaware's Winterthur Museum is now one of America's foremost decorative art museums, displaying nearly 90,000 objects made or used in the country since 1640. It's also a botanical draw, featuring a 60-acre garden designed by du Pont himself that shows off colorful displays throughout the year.
Drive through Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
Although the town of Page, Arizona, is located five hours from major cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix, the natural splendor of Antelope Canyon more than makes up for the trip. Visitors can tour the Slot Canyon formation's beautiful red and golden-hued, famously narrow turns.
Mendenhall Glacier waterfalls and icebergs in Juneau, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier is one of Southeast Alaska's grandest glaciers, punctuated by waterfalls, icebergs, and lush forests that make it a world-class nature trip. Nearby, guests can also check out an upside-down forest in Mendenhall Valley, flipped upside down by a disgruntled landscaper named Steve in 1985.
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