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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

@bigskyrail.bsky.social
242 followers 272 following 344 posts

Revitalizing Communities and Building Sustainable Economies. Restoring regional passenger rail across southern Montana and the Big Sky North Coast Corridor #CID

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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Front page in Philipsburg 🚆 Thanks to the Silver State Post & Philipsburg Mail for covering our Sept. 17 Granite County conversation. Next up: Corridor ID planning to decide stations, routes and operator. bigskyrailmt.gov/news/silver-state-post-granite-county
Front-page clipping from the Sept. 23-24, 2026 Silver State Post & Philipsburg Mail. Headline: "Rail authority outlines route, station, service proposals for Granite," by Luke Ulatowski. Photo shows BSPRA Chair Dave Strohmaier presenting at the Philipsburg Public Library.Page 2 continuation of the Silver State Post & Philipsburg Mail article, headed "BSPRA, From page 1," covering Strohmaier's remarks on common questions about the project and how residents in different states respond to passenger rail.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
PNWER RIA looks back at the conversations that brought them together at #GreaterNorthwestRailSummit: www.rianorthwest.org/blog/sept-26-1
rianorthwest.org
Recap: Rail Summit Explores the Future of Passenger & Freight Rail in the Northwest — Regional Infrastructure Accelerator
Since 2023, the PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator has co-hosted an annual gathering of regional rail leaders as part of our High Performance Rail initiative. Bringing together railro...
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Moving people and goods across the Greater Northwest takes coordination. Freight + passenger rail. Ports and shippers. Communities. Workforce. Infrastructure. Federal investment.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
🚆 A terrific milestone for passenger rail in the Greater Northwest: on Sept. 30, Amtrak Cascades becomes the first route in the nation to launch the new Airo fleet. Modern, accessible trains and a big moment for the Pacific Northwest. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/18/n... #AmtrakAiro
washingtonstatestandard.com
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet • Washington State Standard
Amtrak’s sleek, amenity-packed new trains will debut on the Cascades intercity route in Washington and Oregon on Sept. 30.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Passenger rail takes partnerships. Thank you to the businesses and organizations whose support helps advance BSPRA’s work and helped make the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit possible. Your investment helps bring people and communities across the Greater Northwest together around passenger rail.
Graphic thanking supporters of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit. Supporters shown include NAPRO, Northern Hotel, Xanterra Travel Collection, NorthWestern Energy, BNSF Railway, Visit Southwest Montana, Montana’s Yellowstone Country, The Montana Club, Intrepid Credit Union, Western Montana’s Glacier Country, Republic Services, Clearwater Credit Union, Hennebery Eddy, Montana Associated Technology Roundtables, Stifel, Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Helena Montana, Grizzly Disposal & Recycling, Dick Anderson Construction, Historic Townsend Hardware, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, WGM Group, Element Bozeman, Flowforms, DJ&A, and Western Skies Strategies.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tonight in Philipsburg: Join us at 6 p.m. at the Philipsburg Public Library for a community conversation about restoring passenger rail service and what it could mean for Granite County and surrounding communities. Bring your questions and ideas—we want to hear from you. 🚆
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
With aircraft grounded, Amtrak helped move urgently needed blood and plasma and stranded travelers—a powerful lesson in transportation resilience. “September 11, 2001: How the World Changed”: ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ma9...
ca.pbslearningmedia.org
September 11, 2001: How the World Changed | Grades 6-8, 9-12 Social Studies Teaching and Lesson Resources
Learn how the world changed after September 11, 2001. The United States experienced immediate disruption after the attacks, with economic losses and changes to everyday life. The War on Terror began o...
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Twenty-five years after 9/11, remembrance also asks us to understand what followed: wars, sweeping security changes, anti-Muslim prejudice and lasting illness among survivors, first responders and recovery workers.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Free and open to everyone. bigskyrailmt.gov/events/commu...
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Philipsburg and Granite County, we’d like to hear from you. 🚆 Join BSPRA Chair Dave Strohmaier and Granite County Director Charlene Bucha for a community conversation about restoring passenger rail across southern Montana. 📅 Sept. 17 | 6 PM 📍 Philipsburg Public Library
Event flyer for a Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Community Conversation in Philipsburg, Montana, Thursday, September 17 at 6 PM at the Philipsburg Public Library. BSPRA Chair Dave Strohmaier and Granite County Director Charlene Bucha will discuss efforts to restore passenger rail across southern Montana and hear questions and perspectives from the community.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Funded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s CRISI program, the project focuses on building the skilled workforce rail will need in the future.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
More about the work: BSPRA is a partner in a $6.4 million rail workforce development project led by the Western Transportation Institute, with the University of Memphis and California State University, Long Beach.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Railroads don’t run without people. This Labor Day, we celebrate those who build, operate and maintain them, and the next generation preparing to carry that work forward. BSPRA is proud to support the future rail workforce through a CRISI initiative.
Rail workers wearing orange safety vests stand between an Amtrak passenger train and another railcar inside a maintenance facility. One worker points toward the front of the Amtrak train while another stands alongside it.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It takes local champions to bring back passenger rail across 2,300 miles. David Steele, BSPRA's 2026 Volunteer of the Year, has connected us with ND leaders and helped build support for rail through Jamestown. Congrats, David! www.jamestownsun.com/news/local/d...
jamestownsun.com
David Steele receives BSPRA 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award
Jamestown City Councilman David Steele was one of two recipients for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority's 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Appreciate this - state support is exactly the missing piece, and it's part of what BSPRA is actively pushing for right now. The Corridor ID process is where segment-level decisions like this get evaluated technically; we'll make sure that input reaches the right table.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Want to hear what’s next directly from Amtrak? The Amtrak Board meets virtually on September 9, and the public can register to attend: media.amtrak.com/2026/08/amtr...
media.amtrak.com
Amtrak to Hold Public Board of Directors Meeting - Amtrak Media
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
And there’s a Greater Northwest connection: Amtrak Board Member Elaine Clegg, who joined us in Helena for the Greater Northwest Rail Summit, will serve as the committee’s Vice Chair. For communities working to restore passenger rail across the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, this is worth watching.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Passenger rail expansion just gained a new seat at the Amtrak board table. Amtrak has created a System Expansion Committee focused on turning demand for more passenger rail into new and expanded service nationwide. New System Expansion Committee: media.amtrak.com/2026/09/amtr...
media.amtrak.com
Amtrak Board Establishes System Expansion Committee to Advance Passenger Rail Growth - Amtrak Media
Committee will help guide new routes, additional frequencies, and strategic investments across the Amtrak network WASHINGTON – Following recent
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
New coverage from the Missoulian on where the Big Sky North Coast Corridor stands after the Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Helena, reported by Griffen Smith. Republished with permission. Photo by Justin Franz, Flathead Beacon. bigskyrailmt.gov/news/montana...
"Screenshot of Missoulian newspaper article headlined 'Montana passenger rail hits delays, but officials say future looks bright,' by Griffen Smith, Aug 31, 2026. Photo of Amtrak's Empire Builder train near Glacier National Park by Justin Franz, Flathead Beacon.""Continuation of Missoulian article 'Montana passenger rail hits delays, but officials say future looks bright,' by Griffen Smith, including quotes from Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority officials and reporter bio."
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Rail Passengers Association's Sean Jeans-Gail and Eno Center for Transportation's Rebecca Higgins on federal rail policy. Sean's reflections: railpassengers.substack.com/p/notes-from-the-2026-greater-northwest
railpassengers.substack.com
Notes From the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit
Mr. Jeans-Gail goes to Montana
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
One of the most consequential conversations at the Greater Northwest Rail Summit: sustaining passenger rail development long-term.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Thank you to the Jamestown Sun and reporter Masaki Ova for the deep dive. Read the full story: jamestownsun.com/news/local/first-step-corridor-identification-and-development-of-passenger-rail-service-almost-complete
jamestownsun.com
First step corridor identification and development of passenger rail service almost complete
The Big Sky North Coast Corridor route would go through Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson and Medora.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Also great to see: Jamestown Councilman David Steele was featured in the coverage. He was named a 2026 BSPRA Volunteer of the Year for his work connecting BSPRA with ND legislators and partners.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Gov. Kelly Armstrong shared welcoming remarks for the Summit: "Passenger rail continues to connect communities all across North Dakota... those same rail corridors continue to create opportunities to connect people, communities and markets." youtu.be/AYLLucPmF7c
youtu.be
2026 Governor Kelly Armstrong | 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit
YouTube video by Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
North Dakota has a real stake here: the ND Legislature allocated funding to support the planning process, and the route would run through Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson, and Medora.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Abe Zumwalt (David Evans and Associates) gave the update in Helena - service plan development, market/feasibility analysis, and coordination across the 8-state corridor are all underway.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Big update from the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit: the first step of Corridor ID for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor is ~95% complete.
jamestownsun.com
First step corridor identification and development of passenger rail service almost complete
The Big Sky North Coast Corridor route would go through Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson and Medora.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The legislation would ease non-federal matching requirements that can be a major obstacle for long-distance corridor planning. Read the Daily Montanan coverage: dailymontanan.com/2026/08/26/s...
dailymontanan.com
Sheehy pushes federal support for passenger rail plans in Montana
Much of the infrastructure for passenger rail is already in place, but funding and plans to help rail congestion remain needed
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Federal support for long-distance passenger rail was a major topic at the Greater Northwest Rail Summit. Jordan Hansen of the @dailymontanan.com reports on Sen. Tim Sheehy’s support for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor and bipartisan legislation to remove federal match barriers.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
We appreciate your addressing the gathering and acknowledging the work underway to advance passenger rail and transportation connections across Montana and the Greater Northwest.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thank you to U.S. Senator Steve Daines for sharing a message with participants at the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Helena. youtu.be/1JLEt5xcvxE?...
youtu.be
Senator Steve Daines | 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit
YouTube video by Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Day 3 of #GNWRS2026 in Helena. Today: a keynote from Karen Hedlund (STB), a Regional Rail Collaboration panel, and a fireside chat with BNSF, Union Pacific, and Amtrak on investing in rail. Recaps coming soon: bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-bspra-annual-meeting
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Duane Williams, CEO of the Montana Trucking Association, moderated the conversation on connecting communities, economies, people and products across the Northwest and the nation.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
“America’s Great Corridors of Commerce” at the Greater Northwest Rail Summit brought together USDOT’s Michael Giordano and Michael Rutherford and Build America Bureau’s Will Resch.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Colorado Governor Jared Polis welcomes participants to the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Helena. The future of passenger rail and regional connectivity doesn’t stop at state lines. Governor Polis adds another perspective to the conversation. Watch his remarks: youtu.be/ApenYgH6yXI
youtu.be
Greater NW Rail Summit Polis
YouTube video by Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Colorado Governor Jared Polis welcomes participants to the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Helena. The future of passenger rail and regional connectivity doesn’t stop at state lines. Governor Polis adds another Western perspective to the conversation. Watch his remarks: youtu.be/ApenYgH6yXI
youtu.be
Greater NW Rail Summit Polis
YouTube video by Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who represents Helena and Montana’s 2nd Congressional District, welcomes participants to the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit. Watch his remarks from Helena: youtu.be/G6xvsr3moN4
youtu.be
U.S. Rep. Troy Downing | 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit
YouTube video by Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
There’s still time to join the Greater Northwest Rail Summit virtually. Follow today’s conversations from wherever you are. Register here: secure.qgiv.com/for/bigskypa...
secure.qgiv.com
Greater Northwest Rail Summit
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
North Dakota is at the table in Helena. Jamestown Councilman David Steele joins representatives from Bismarck and Dickinson at the Greater Northwest Rail Summit. Gov. Kelly Armstrong is welcoming Summit participants by video. www.jamestownsun.com/news/local/d...
jamestownsun.com
David Steele to attend 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit
The summit will highlight ongoing work to restore passenger rail service along the Big Sky North Coast Corridor.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Learn more about the Greater Northwest Rail Summit - there is still time to register and attend in person or virtually: bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-b...
bigskyrailmt.gov
2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit & BSPRA Annual Conference — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Helena is planning for the future. Passenger rail is an important part of it. BSPRA is encouraging the Greater Helena MPO to preserve opportunities for future passenger rail as it develops its Long Range Transportation Plan. Read our submission: bigskyrailmt.gov/regional-rai...
Greater Helena MPO
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
August 25–27 | Helena, Montana bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-b...
bigskyrailmt.gov
2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit & BSPRA Annual Conference — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
We’re on our way to Helena. The 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit begins tomorrow, bringing together leaders from across the region to advance passenger and freight rail, infrastructure investment and stronger connections across the Greater Northwest.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Join us in Helena August 25-27, in person or virtually. Full agenda + registration: bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-b... Media registration is complimentary using code MEDIA.
bigskyrailmt.gov
2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit & BSPRA Annual Conference — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Read the latest Summit announcement: www.einpresswire.com/article/9354...
einpresswire.com
Connecting the Greater Northwest: Senator Sheehy, Federal Transportation Officials Join 2026 Rail Summit in Helena
U.S. Senator, federal transportation officials, national rail organizations and Tribal Nations gather in Helena for the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The voices at the Summit are just as broad: Tribal leaders, disability advocates, organized labor, transportation researchers, local and regional governments, tourism and economic development leaders, and passenger rail representatives from across the Greater Northwest.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit is taking on some of the hardest questions facing transportation in the region: rural mobility, accessibility, Tribal needs, workforce, tourism, freight and passenger rail coordination, and stronger connections beyond the Northwest.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Be part of the conversations shaping the future of rail across the Greater Northwest. 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit Aug. 25–27 | Helena, Montana Join us in Helena or virtually: bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-b...
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
How are public-private partnerships shaping the future of rail? Hear from BNSF, Union Pacific & Amtrak leadership at the Greater Northwest Rail Summit as they discuss investments in safety, capacity and efficiency. Aug. 25–27 | Helena Register: bigskyrailmt.gov/2026-gnwrs-b...
Promotional graphic for the 2026 Greater Northwest Rail Summit featuring the session “Collaborative Investment in the Rail Industry: A Fireside Chat with Class I Railroads,” scheduled for August 27, 2026. The design includes Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator logos over a blurred image of a train interior.
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Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority @bigskyrail.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
BSPRA worked with Amtrak and BNSF to advance the project, which will add ~6 miles of second mainline track and improve reliability for freight and Amtrak’s Empire Builder. More from FRA about all the rail safety grants: railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/co...
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