Borealis Startup Causes Celebrations

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Amtrak Borealis, trains 1333 and 1340, made their first scheduled runs across Wisconsin on May 21, 2024. This marks the first time in 43 years that the corridor has more than one daily scheduled passenger frequency.

Train 1333, Chicago to St Paul, replacing Hiawatha train 333, consisted of two P42 locomotives (one on each end), four Horizon coaches, and and an Amfleet Cafe/Business Class car. The train was full, as expected for the first day of a new service. The only welcome celebration for this train was at Milwaukee Airport.

Train 1340, St Paul to Chicago, replacing Hiawatha train 340, consisted of a single P42 locomotive, four Horizon coaches, and and an Amfleet Cafe/Business Class car. Most celebrations met this train. Wisconsin Governor Evers and Amtrak CEO Gardner rode segments of this train. This trainset was towed to St Paul by the May 19 Empire Builder.

Hiawatha trainsets were juggled to fill schedule gaps created by the replacement of trains 333 and 340.

Courtesy of Amtrak
Train status map showing Borealis (1333 and 1340), Empire Builder (7 and 8), and Hiawatha (337 and 338) trains on the first day of Borealis service. Courtesy of asm.transitdocs.com

Welcome celebrations along the route:

St Paul Union Depot, the origin of train 1340, featured speeches by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose, and Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner at the launch celebration of Amtrak Borealis, St Paul Union Depot, 2024-05-21. Photo by Terry Brown.
FRA Administrator Amit Bose at the launch celebration of Amtrak Borealis, St Paul Union Depot, 2024-05-21. Photo by Terry Brown.

La Crosse featured the official Wisconsin DOT welcome event to greet train 1340 with a large public turnout, hosted by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds. Governor Evers boarded the train and rode to Tomah.

Portage hosted a large public turnout for train 1340. A planned marching band was cancelled due to poor weather. WKOW (Madison Ch 27) showed the crowd at Portage.

Milwaukee Airport hosted a press conference on the platform featuring speeches by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley immediately after the departure of train 1333. At least four television stations turned out, plus many other reporters. Notification of the event was limited to the press, so public turnout was very small. Some passengers from Chicago disembarking at Milwaukee Airport were confused by the warm greeting and gift bags thrust upon them after a seemingly ordinary Hiawatha trip.

The first westbound Borealis, train 1033, arrives at Milwaukee Airport Rail Station on May 21, 2024. Milwaukee Mayor Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive Crowley were on hand to welcome the passengers. Photo by Ian Weisser
Reporters and TV crews surround Milwaukee Mayor Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive Crowley during their remarks on the new Borealis at Milwaukee Airport, May 21, 2024. Photo by Ian Weisser.
Complete speeches at Milwaukee Airport on 2024-05-21 by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Wisconsin DOT Deputy Secretary Kristina Boardman, and
Amtrak VP of Network Development Nicole Bucich. Posted by WITI (Fox 6 Milwaukee)

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