I always wished I could take train to canoe country - not just Wabakimi. Amtrak is showing an expansion plan - Amtrak expansion with train to Duluth. It would be wonderful. Guessing not in my lifetime though. Maybe the flying car in every garage - battery or fuel cell powered of course - will finally make it and make passenger trains superfluous. I still like the train riding experience. (And I love the route to Rockland Maine!)

What I can't comprehend is why build a rail network that is not high speed. China put in some 15,000 miles of high speed rail in the last decade. If you're going to build it might as well put in a modern system, instead we're talking about re-establising rail from the 1950's. Proposed train to Duluth might be capable of reaching 90mph. Seriously.

Banksiana: "What I can't comprehend is why build a rail network that is not high speed. China put in some 15,000 miles of high speed rail in the last decade. If you're going to build it might as well put in a modern system, instead we're talking about re-establising rail from the 1950's. Proposed train to Duluth might be capable of reaching 90mph. Seriously."

Indeed. The last time I rode Amtrak, it took me 3 hours longer than had I drove, I ain't lyin'.

The problem Amtrak encounters is, it can't survive or expand without government funding.

Also, it often goes through the worst and ugliest parts of towns and cities. Rarely does Amtrak reach its reputed top speeds. Exceptions are those long stretches without RR crossings.

I rode the train one trip when we went to Isle Royale to backpack for ten days. I think this was about in early 80s? I went from St Paul to Duluth. My brother and his friend picked me up and drove the rest of the way. After the trip they dropped me off again in Duluth and headed west. It was a nice ride, comfortable. Too bad they stopped the service. They used the same tracks that freight and are still there in service today.

You want high speed rail, to go somewhere where motors are not allowed ?
Here we go ;)

There is simply not the population density in many places in US to justify passenger rail. I wish there were for I do enjoy it. Thank heavens for the legislators and their supporters who are afraid to fly or there would be no passenger rail.

Still hoping to board with canoe in Toronto and get off at Allanwater Bridge. High on bucket list.

we use the Downeaster to travel from Portland ME to Boston. As we are senior age we pay half price. Its far better than trying to negotiate Boston traffic and finding parking. The T gets you from North Station to anywhere in Boston. At the end of the journey it saves an hour and a whole bunch of angst.

But to remote areas it is cost prohibitive. I love the train out of Moosonee but it used to run every day with canoes. No more; service only four days a week and the canoe car is gone.

If you haven't taken the train into Wabakimi (and loading your canoe and gear onto the designated car) you are missing a great experience. From Armstrong it is a night train and there's a car that let's you go up and view the train headlights shining out into the darkness with the wilderness hugging the tracks. Really cool.

Minnesota, Duluth specifically has been trying to get Amtrak back to Duluth for 15 years. It would have to be heavily subsidized.

Amtrak ceased service to Duluth in 1983 +/-. There was a time that you could take the train from St. Paul or Duluth to Ely. Times have changed.

One of the best kept secret in Duluth is the Depot.

There is an amazing train museum and plenty of local Duluth history in the Depot.
I am lucky enough to work in the building often and I never run out of great things to look at.

Tom

tumblehome: "There is an amazing train museum and plenty of local Duluth history in the Depot."

Unfortunately, the train museum can't get you from here to there.

My dad took a train from Chicago to Superior for his canoe trip in 1939.
They just had to avoid the "bulls".

https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=1510

OneMatch: "If you haven't taken the train into Wabakimi (and loading your canoe and gear onto the designated car) you are missing a great experience. From Armstrong it is a night train and there's a car that let's you go up and view the train headlights shining out into the darkness with the wilderness hugging the tracks. Really cool. "

and trying to catch said canoe as the baggage folk toss it out the door. Missed.

Stumpy: "You want high speed rail, to go somewhere where motors are not allowed ?
Here we go ;) "

High speed rail is much more energy efficient and better for the environment than having everyone drive separately. Plus you don't need to have the rail service go all the way to the BWCA. Just connecting the Cities, Duluth, St Cloud, Mankato and Rochester would be a great start. There is already the light rail service to go within the cities so the stops can be fewer there. I think that connecting the country via high speed passenger rail would be a huge step forward in promoting domestic tourism and reducing green house emissions.

I also think that there would be a market for travel that is easier and possibly faster than a road trip, especially if you would stop for the night, yet cheaper and with better views of the land in between than flying. Long distance I think high speed rail would also be cheaper than driving.

OneMatch: "If you haven't taken the train into Wabakimi (and loading your canoe and gear onto the designated car) you are missing a great experience. From Armstrong it is a night train and there's a car that let's you go up and view the train headlights shining out into the darkness with the wilderness hugging the tracks. Really cool. "

Thank You! That is going on my bucket list.

Unas10: "My dad took a train from Chicago to Superior for his canoe trip in 1939.
They just had to avoid the "bulls".


https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=1510 "

This is great. I love how the train they jumped on happened to be going west not back to Chicago so they just rolled with the punches and got jobs out there for a while.

A1t2o: "

Stumpy: "You want high speed rail, to go somewhere where motors are not allowed ?
Here we go ;) "

High speed rail is much more energy efficient and better for the environment than having everyone drive separately. Plus you don't need to have the rail service go all the way to the BWCA. Just connecting the Cities, Duluth, St Cloud, Mankato and Rochester would be a great start. There is already the light rail service to go within the cities so the stops can be fewer there. I think that connecting the country via high speed passenger rail would be a huge step forward in promoting domestic tourism and reducing green house emissions.


I also think that there would be a market for travel that is easier and possibly faster than a road trip, especially if you would stop for the night, yet cheaper and with better views of the land in between than flying. Long distance I think high speed rail would also be cheaper than driving."

I'd prefer a stage coach.

No thanks, Stumpy. Last time I took one of those, we were robbed by bandits wearing bandanas. For all I know, you might've been one of 'em. Took all my gold, but what was hidden in my boot.

HowardSprague: "No thanks, Stumpy. Last time I took one of those, we were robbed by bandits wearing bandanas. For all I know, you might've been one of 'em. Took all my gold, but what was hidden in my boot."

LOL Howie !!!
I think that was Lee Marvin, certainly not me.
Might want to question Lee Van Cleef, or Struthers Martin.

My sixth grade class took the train to Duluth. Had a blast shooting pop cans out the toilet in the last car. Haha.

I don’t see it being used enough. Maybe if public transportation on either end wasn’t too expensive, and maybe if there was a continuation to the north shore and other destinations.