Current Rail Services
Passenger Rail
Rail Transit
Freight Rail
Rail in the Works
Rail Transit
- Central Corridor LRT
- Bottineau Transitway
- Northstar Expansion
- Rush Line Corridor
- Red Rock Corridor
- Southwest LRT
Passenger Rail
Freight Rail
Minnesota’s freight railroads form a critical part of the State’s multimodal transportation system. Many of the State’s major industries rely on the rail system for efficient delivery of goods. The freight rail system is particularly critical in providing efficient connections to markets beyond the State’s borders, throughout North America, and to the world through the seaports on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and the Great Lakes. Rail provides critical options to shippers in terms of market access, modal economics, and service. Minnesota has 4,538 route miles of railroads serviced by 22 railroad companies. More about freight rail
Minnesota currently has one active intercity passenger rail service – Amtrak’s Empire Builder which provides service between Chicago and points west. The first Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (adopted in February 2010) identifies several regional corridors for possible future intercity passenger rail service that would link the Twin Cities with outlying locations in Greater Minnesota and the upper Midwest. More information about passenger rail
Rail transit services typically operate in urban regions, and generally serve commuters traveling to and from work. Light Rail Transit (LRT) typically operates with frequent stops spaced one-half-mile to one-mile apart in dense urban environments at speeds of 20 to 50 mph, with regular and continuous daily service. Commuter rail services typically connect urban centers with suburban populations over moderate distances with wider station spacing of 2 to 5 miles, higher speeds of 30 to 70 mph, and service concentrated on providing trips to and from work during weekday rush hours. Examples in Minnesota include Hiawatha LRT and Northstar Commuter Rail. More information about rail transit
The Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan, as adopted in February 2010, provides guidance for rail initiatives and investments in the state. More information about the State Rail Plan
Quick Links
Resources
- State Rail Plan
- State Transit Plan
- Statewide Transportation Policy Plan
- Freight Maps, Data, Tools and Resources
Additional Links
- Amtrak
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Federal Transit Administration
- Metro Transit
- Operation Lifesaver
- Toward Zero Deaths