With record visitation, many national parks face congestion and access issues for visitors who cannot or prefer not to drive. Rail access offers a practical alternative. Glacier National Park already benefits from Amtrak service along the Empire Builder route. www.thetravel.com/why-amtrak-a...

BSPRA 2025 Retrospective At our January 2026 board meeting, Chairman Dave Strohmaier shared BSPRA’s 2025 Retrospective, a look back at key milestones and a look ahead at priorities for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. bigskyrailmt.gov/bspra-2025-r...

BSPRA Board Meeting (public welcome) 🗓️ Wed, January 14 11:00 a.m–12:30 p.m. MT What we’ll cover: • Hi-Line Community Engagement, Trillium Cooperative • 2025 Retrospective • Corridor ID update • PNWER-RIA subrecipient grant update • CRISI/WTI grant update • Fed-State Partnership Malta Project

When Wisconsin's GOP legislature killed its regional transit authority, passenger rail advocates regrouped with Plan B: the MARK Rail Commission, using intergovernmental agreements between cities. It's exactly what Big Sky Passenger Rail is doing in MT. pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/news/retu...

Christmas wish: private rail car. 🎄🚆 Private rail cars can still attach to Amtrak service—most people don't know this. The point? Shared infrastructure. Coach, sleeper, or private car—it all depends on a functioning network. BSPRA is working to restore the Big Sky North Coast Corridor.

Big Sky Development & Strategic Engagement Committee Chair Dan Bucks and Montana Rep. Denise Baum spoke at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) annual forum in Portland this fall. Explore PNWER Summit materials: www.rianorthwest.org/blog/nov-25

Shared with permission from The Big Timber Pioneer: a guest opinion piece by Peter D. Fox, BSPRA director and Sweet Grass County representative. Peter writes about why Sweet Grass County took “a seat at the table” and why community support will help shape what comes next. #PassengerRail #Montana

BOGO Roomette deal is back. Amtrak’s Twice as Nice sale lets you bring a travel companion free when you book a Roomette. Book by Dec. 19 for travel Jan. 4 – Mar. 31, 2026. Use code C125. media.amtrak.com/2025/12/doub... #Amtrak #TrainTravel #Roomette #SleeperCar #RailTravel #TravelDeals

Mardi Gras Service is a reminder that when passenger rail is real and reliable, people use it. In the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, we see HUGE interest from residents, students, visitors and communities wanting or needing connection! www.southernrailcommission.org/press-releas...

Missoula is a railroad town. This @bnsfrailway.bsky.social story highlights the freight corridor that powers the region and anchors the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, where we aim to bring passenger rail back. bnsf.com/news-media/r...

In Montana, distance and weather too often decide who can show up.

“Several states poised to benefit from Big Sky Passenger Rail,” highlights multi-state support, local and Tribal resolutions, heritage tourism and FRA Corridor ID planning along the former North Coast Hiawatha route. www.themunicipal.com/2025/11/seve...

It is not a dream but a vision! The closest thing we could get it is what’s being supported by the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social

The 2025 elections saw more than 80% of public transit measures passed nationwide, with over $11.6B for buses and trains. That momentum matters for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor: communities across the country are voting for more, better #passengerrail. www.masstransitmag.com/management/a...

We’re hitting the tracks across Montana! The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is conducting public outreach along the Empire Builder route to better understand community transportation needs Join us at one of the facilitated public meetings to share your thoughts!

ICYMI: “Big Sky Rail has news for the rest of us.” Train Time host Karen Christensen talks with BSPRA Chair Dave Strohmaier about Corridor ID, coalition-building across the Greater Northwest, and lessons for advocates. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CGs... #PassengerRail #CorridorID

North Dakota’s $150K commitment advances the Big Sky North Coast Corridor (Chicago–Seattle via the I-94 communities). “Passenger rail in this corridor is a federal responsibility — and a vital opportunity for every community along the route.” — Dave Strohmaier #PassengerRail

Help Shape the Future of Passenger Rail If you attended the 2025 Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Conference — in person or virtually — we’d love your feedback! Please complete the survey by October 20th to help us continually improve. SURVEY LINK: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6TBMZ3M

We’re honored to partner with the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, the University of Memphis and Cal State Long Beach as part of a new $6.4 million FRA CRISI workforce development grant. www.einpresswire.com/article/8561...

On Oct 6, 1979 the North Coast Hiawatha made its final run through Montana. 46 years later BSPRA is working to revive that service through the Big Sky North Coast Corridor — linking communities from Chicago to Seattle once again. Learn more: bigskyrailmt.gov #NorthCoastHiawatha #RailRevival

🚆 Missed the 2025 Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Conference? More than 120 leaders from eight western states came together in Livingston, MT, to shape the future of passenger rail across the American West.

Federal momentum for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (MT) has introduced S.2916, making it easier for long-distance passenger rail projects to advance in the Corridor ID program. www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/news/state/s...

"Big Sky Rail has news for the rest of us." In a new Train Time episode, Dave Strohmaier shares how BSPRA went from vision to momentum — FRA Corridor ID, coalition-building, and lessons for rail advocates across the U.S. 🎥 Watch: youtu.be/-CGsoCUKBV8 #BigSkyRail #PassengerRail #Montana

We’ll be speaking at the Pacific Northwest Rail Summit, Oct 14–17 in Portland! 🚆 The Big Sky North Coast Corridor spans 2,300 miles across eight states, and we will be part of the conversation on passenger rail restoration, investment, and coordination at the Summit. pnwer.org/2025-forum

Passenger rail in Montana isn’t just about restoring a train — it’s about reclaiming history and building a more connected future. Monica Tranel reflects on BSPRA’s Livingston conference and the vision of rail that serves communities, not corporations. open.substack.com/pub/monicatr...

Take Action: Support Passenger Rail Reauthorization In two minutes, you can email your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support passenger rail in the upcoming federal transportation reauthorization. Scan the QR code or visit railpassengers.org/bigsky to send your message today.

Last week’s Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority conference in Livingston showed how vision becomes action: Bipartisan support / national momentum. Counties, tribes, and communities across Montana engaged. Historic federal funding: $1.2 trillion in transportation reauthorization under discussion.

Thanks to @railpassengers.org & Sean Jeans-Gail for joining us in Livingston, sharing your voice, and lifting BSPRA’s work in your Call to Action. 🚆 Read Sean’s recap: Dispatches from Big Sky Country → www.railpassengers.org/happening-no... #PassengerRail #BigSkyNorthCoastCorridor #Infrastructure

Tuesday September 9th 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. MT

Reimagining Passenger Rail Operations Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 9:30–10:40 a.m. | Livingston Depot This morning’s session brings together leading voices on the future of passenger rail to explore new models and innovations in passenger rail operations. More conference highlights: lnkd.in/gBHnQRB7

Federal Policy Briefing – Surface Transportation Reauthorization Sept. 9 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Featuring John Robert Smith, Transportation for America, and Sean Jeans-Gail, @railpassengers.org Register: www.bigskyrail.org/2025-bspra-a...

Keynote: Knox Ross – Chairman, Southern Rail Commission Sept. 9 | Livingston Depot Reviving passenger rail and reconnecting communities across the South. Register: www.bigskyrail.org/2025-bspra-a... #BigSkyRail #PassengerRail #SouthernRailCommission #MardiGras #Amtrak #TrainTravel

We’re excited to welcome Streamline Bus as a regional partner! This partnership advances multimodal connectivity & strengthens the vision for restored passenger rail in Montana. 🚍🚆 More: tinyurl.com/2pmxm9sd #PassengerRail #MultimodalTransit #Streamline

We’re honored to welcome John Robert Smith (Transportation for America, former Amtrak Board Chair) to the BSPRA Annual Conference in Livingston, MT. Sept. 8 Government Partners Workshop & Lunch Sept. 9 Federal Rail Policy Briefing & Taking Action Register via QR code...

This #LaborDay, we honor the workers who built the railroads that shaped Montana — from roundhouses to trestles — and whose legacy continues to inspire us today. (📸 Livingston Montana’s Photo History)

🚆 The 2025 Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Annual Conference is set for Sept. 8–10 in Livingston, MT. Speakers from Amtrak, Southern Rail Commission, Transportation for America & more will join us. Register: www.bigskyrail.org/2025-bspra-a...

🎉 The Mardi Gras train is back on the Gulf Coast 🚆 Hear from leaders who made it happen — Knox Ross + John Robert Smith — at our Livingston conference (Sept. 8–10). 👉 Register: tinyurl.com/ymf5nfnu 📸 Southern Rail Commission FYI @t4america.bsky.social @apta-info.bsky.social @railpassengers.org

🚆 Passenger rail is about more than travel — it’s about revitalizing communities. The Big Sky North Coast Corridor aims to reconnect 2,300 miles of track, linking metro areas, Tribal nations, and rural towns. Catch up via our Summer 2025 Newsletter ⬇️ 🔗 bigskyrail.org/summer-2025-newsletter

🚆 BSPRA 2025 Annual Conference | Sept 8–10 | Livingston, MT Early bird ends Aug 18! Hear from Tim Sheehy, Elaine Clegg (Amtrak), Knox Ross & John Robert Smith. Join the movement to restore passenger rail. Register: www.bigskyrail.org/2025-bspra-a...

Big Sky North Coast Corridor leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with federal partners at the US Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration as well as key legislators.

Exciting news! @amtrak.com service may return to Bismarck as part of the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. The Bismarck‑Mandan MPO is studying the potential impact and community benefits: www.kfyrtv.com/2025/07/17/a... #PassengerRail #Bismarck #BSPRA #TrainTravel

The City of Belgrade has officially joined the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority’s Government Partners Program. Regional momentum continues to build for long-distance passenger rail in Montana and beyond!

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July from the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority! From Miles City to Missoula, Fargo to Spokane, we’re working to reconnect rural Montana and the Northern Rockies by rail. Small towns matter. Communities deserve connection. #4thOfJuly #BigSkyCountry #PassengerRail #MilesCityMT

Sept 8–10 in Livingston, MT Join us at the 2025 BSPRA Annual Conference: Turning Our Stories into Action Corridor ID strategy, station planning, and a national vision for passenger rail through 7 states. Info & registration: www.bigskyrail.org/2025-bspra-a... #BSPRA2025 #RailConference

Montana lost a true public servant. In 1979, Rep. Pat Williams stood up to save the North Coast Hiawatha—defending southern Montana’s rail connection to the nation. tinyurl.com/5dc3e94y

SPRC’s new visual summary outlines a smart path forward: a national equipment pool to support modern passenger rail. BSPRA supports this coordinated approach. #PassengerRail #MobilityForAll #SmartGrowth #S4PRC #RollingStock #MadeInAmerica

About 35 people joined us at Brothers Tapworks in Helena to talk about restoring passenger rail. Dr. Gregory Thomas led a candid and thoughtful conversation on behalf of BSPRA. Big thanks to the community for showing up. #BigSkyRail #HelenaMT #Railway #PublicTransportation

BSPRA helped secure $15 million in @usdot.bsky.social FRA federal funding to fix a critical chokepoint on the @amtrak.com Empire Builder near Malta, MT. We’re working to expand passenger rail, not take anything away.

What would it take to bring passenger rail back to Helena? Join us for an informal, community conversation over a pint! 📍 Brothers Tapworks, Helena 🗓️ Monday, June 16 🕕 6:00 PM This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your ideas, and learn about how to get involved.

We’re thrilled to share that the City of Belgrade has joined BSPRA's Government Partners Program! Belgrade’s leadership reinforces growing momentum across southern Montana to restore long-distance passenger rail. Government Partners Program: www.bigskyrail.org/gov-partners...