Borealis Inaugural Events

With food trucks, bands, arts and crafts, dignitaries and local proclamations, the Borealis was welcomed to station cities from St. Paul to La Crosse on May 21, its first day of service. The Great River Rail Commission worked closely with the station cities along the Mississippi River Route to coordinate Borealis inaugural events.

Each city put its own twist on events to make them unique to their setting. 

St. Paul’s event featured a host of commission, state and federal representatives, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose; a walk-through of the Borealis train before the event and giveaways. Approximately 300 train enthusiasts, passengers, and the general public were present, and 163 boarded the train in the Union Depot station.

Red Wing placed an emphasis on family-friendly activities. The event included a number of arts and crafts stations, along with live music, food trucks, the city’s River Boat Greeters, and speeches from local dignitaries. Eighteen passengers boarded Borealis in Red Wing.

Winona’s focus was on tourism. The event planners included Visit Winona and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Events drawing tourists happen nearly every weekend all summer long. Nine passengers boarded Borealis in Winona.

La Crosse welcomed Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who boarded the Borealis after making a brief statement. The event featured speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and local dignitaries. Twenty-eight boarded Borealis in La Crosse.

Station cities had about 3 weeks’ notice for the start date and relied on the Commission for assistance coordinating speakers and timing of their events. We appreciate the collaboration of our business partners in each location.

Borealis Celebration Events on May 21

Public events commemorating inaugural run of Borealis train service

The public and media are invited to attend celebrations commemorating the inaugural run of the Borealis passenger rail service running from Saint Paul, MN to Chicago. Events take place Tuesday, May 21. Celebrations are planned at station stops in Saint Paul, Red Wing, and Winona in Minnesota, and La Crosse, WI.

Each celebration features events unique to their individual stations, from federal, state, and local speakers in Saint Paul to local bands and food trucks in Red Wing. Representatives from Amtrak and the corresponding state department of transportation are slated to speak at each event.

Saint Paul

Speakers include Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan; FRA Administrator Amit Bose; Senator Amy Klobuchar State Director Erika Nelson; Congresswoman Betty McCollum Outreach Director, Charlie Hammond; Minnesota Department of Transportation, Jean Wallace; Minnesota House Transportation Committee Chair Frank Hornstein; Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega; Ramsey County Commissioner Trista Martinson; Greg Regan, President, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO; and Amtrak CEO Steven Gardner. 

Public walk-through tours begin at 9am, with the event beginning at 10:45am. The train departs at 11:50 am.

Location: Union Depot, 214 4th Street East, Saint  Paul, MN 55101

Red Wing

Speakers include Matt Bailey, Passenger Rail Director, MnDOT, Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Mike Wilson when the train arrives at 12:35pm.

Food trucks are available starting at 12 pm; music and entertainment from 1pm-3pm; news conference at 1:45; train arrival and ribbon cutting at the first passenger car at 12:35pm

Location: 420 Levee Street, Red Wing, MN 55066

Winona

Speakers include Steve Young, City Councilor and Great River Rail Representative; Mayor Scott Sherman; Senator Jeremy Miller; Representative Gene Pelowski; and Jon P. Solberg, Assistant Director of Sustainability Planning and Program Management Division, MnDOT; and Former Mayor, Jerry Miller.

Speakers will begin at 12:45pm, prior to the eastbound departure from Winona at 1:40pm. A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1:40pm at the first passenger car as the Borealis pulls into the station. The train departs at 1:45pm.

Location: 65 East Mark Street, Winona, MN 55987

La Crosse

Speakers include Secretary Anne Sayers, Wisconsin Department of Tourism; WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson; Ray Lang, Amtrak Executive Vice President of State Supported Services; Mitch Reynolds, La Crosse Mayor.

The celebration begins with a food truck at 12pm; music and entertainment, 1pm-3pm; news conference at 1:45pm, and train arrival and ribbon cutting at the first passenger car at 2:16pm.

Location: 601 St. Andrew Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

Ride Amtrak Borealis Trains starting Tuesday, May 21

Ride Amtrak Borealis Trains starting Tuesday, May 21

The Great River Rail Commission is excited to share details for Amtrak Borealis trains that will begin daily, round-trip service on May 21 and run from Union Depot in Saint Paul to Union Station in Chicago, doubling the capacity for rail travel between the two cities. Amtrak Borealis trains will make additional Minnesota-area stops in Red Wing, Winona, and La Crosse.

Events being planned

Throughout the planning process, business leaders at each stop have been collaborating on advocacy and promotion of the new service, culminating in celebratory rides on May 21, as well as commemorative events at each stop. The inaugural event in Saint Paul will be held in the Union Depot Waiting Room and affords participants the opportunity to explore the train cars, as well as hear remarks from Federal and State dignitaries.

Learn more, buy tickets

Read Amtrak’s media release for further details about the service and ticket information.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Reaction from the Great River Rail Commission

Statement from Ramsey County Commissioner Trista Martinson, chair of the Great River Rail Commission 

“We are delighted by the announcement that Amtrak Borealis trains will start running on May 21. Borealis will double the opportunity for passenger rail transportation between the Twin Cities and Chicago, providing another safe, reliable, relaxing, affordable climate friendly alternative to driving or flying. Our communities along the Mississippi River Route will benefit from job creation and economic development, and the trains will bring college students, event attendees and tourists to Minnesota. It’s hard not to be excited about an environmentally sound means of travel that provides an accessible travel alternative in areas that are dependent on automobile transport. We would like to thank those who have supported these efforts and encourage everyone to give Borealis trains a try.”

Statement from Winona County Commissioner Chris Meyer, vice chair of the Great River Rail Commission (not speaking for the Winona County Board)

“Support for expanded passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Chicago has been led for many years by advocates from the Winona area. The first chair of what is now the Great River Rail Commission was Jerry Miller. Our legislators, especially Sen. Jeremy Miller and Rep. Gene Pelowski, were instrumental in securing funding for the train, as were many others. And many, many residents, business leaders and local elected officials from Winona and throughout southeastern Minnesota spent countless hours providing information about the benefits of passenger rail to anyone who would listen. It is so gratifying to learn that the hard work and passion of so many has finally led us to the beginning of Amtrak Borealis trains. I am personally looking forward to many trips to the many great destinations this train will serve, and I am looking forward to seeing many visitors from throughout the corridor taking in the many events and opportunities that this part of Minnesota has to offer.” 

More information

Amtrak Borealis trains will consist of four Horizon class passenger cars with one cafe car and a locomotive. The Great River Rail Commission’s website will soon feature more information about the service, including amenities, ticket prices, destinations and more. 

About the Great River Rail Commission

The Great River Rail Commission is made up of elected officials representing 18 local and regional governments from Saint Paul to La Crosse, who advocate for safer, more frequent passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Chicago.