Oelkers Said Amtrak Should Update Slowly

After Amtrak ocials announced in February a plan for train improvements, some government agencies are requesting Congress to make the improvements at a faster pace.

Under Amtrak’s plans, all long distance routes will transition to a universal single- level fleet. Amtrak president Roger Harris estimates that the first new long-distance cars will be available in the early 2030s.

Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and the Williams County N.D. commissioners are urging the changes be done as quickly as possible.

Oelkers is cautious about Amtrak using that amount of funding. He notes that Amtrak isn’t a priority on the rails and is profitable.

“Freight on the rail is where the money is,” Oelkers said.

He feels the region would be better served with a slower update of the train cars.

“We want to maintain what we have,” Oelkers said.

The appropriations bill for Amtrak funding is usually a battle and a long process, Oelkers said.

He added that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority wants the update to happen, but the group is also promoting the establishment of the Hiawatha train service in southern Montana.

“That would kill Amtrak here in my opinion,” Oelkers said of the addition of the Hiawatha route.