Northern Lights Express
Encyclopedia
The Northern Lights Express (NLX) is a proposed passenger rail service running 155 miles (249.4 km) along the corridor between Minneapolis
and Duluth
primarily in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
. A portion of the line will run through neighboring Wisconsin
to serve Duluth's "Twin Port
" of Superior
. Plans are to upgrade an existing BNSF Railway
freight line to allow trains to travel at up to 110 miles per hour (49.2 m/s). The train service will provide an alternative to traveling the busy Interstate 35
between Duluth and the Twin Cities or to other destinations along the line such as the casino in Hinckley
.
The train will mostly follow the same route as Amtrak
's former North Star
, except that it will originate in Minneapolis rather than neighboring Saint Paul
, and it is planned to stop at a suburban Twin Cities station (probably constructed at Metro Transit
's Foley Boulevard bus station
). The route follows part of the Northstar commuter rail route which opened in 2009, and will contain the entirety of the proposed Bethel Corridor commuter route, although that service is not expected to be operational by the time NLX opens.
discontinued the 50 miles per hour (22.4 m/s) North Star
. Alternatives analysis and a corridor assessment report were complete as of summer 2010. The line had initially been projected to open as early as 2012, though more recent sources have stated 2013 or 2014 as start dates. As of 2010, the project was entering either an 18-month Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) process or a shorter Environmental Assessment (EA) review, but it is unclear which path is being taken. The shorter EA process was strongly advocated by former Rep. James Oberstar, former chairman of the U.S. House Transportation Committee
, who represented northern Minnesota.
Discussion about the Northern Lights Express dates back at least a decade. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted around the year 2000, followed by a comprehensive feasibility study in 2006–2007. A joint powers board was established in 2007 consisting of the regional rail authorities for counties along the corridor along with representatives from Minneapolis, Duluth, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
. The name was given to the line in March 2008 by a vote of the corridor's stakeholders.
A feasibility study was completed in late 2007 which evaluated service at speeds of 79 mph (35.3 m/s), 110 mph (49.2 m/s), and 125 mph (55.9 m/s), and service of 8 round trips per day at 110 mph was recommended. The 79 mph option was discarded because it wouldn't attract enough riders to cover operating costs. NLX supporters hope to receive funds from the Federal Railroad Administration
which requires new train projects to show they will operate at a surplus each year, unlike the Federal Transit Administration
that funded the Hiawatha and Northstar lines in the Twin Cities. Trains would also operate at a surplus at 125 mph, but higher capital costs and only a modest reduction in travel time made that option look less attractive. The study used the diesel-powered
Talgo XXI as a reference, which has poor acceleration above 110 mph
Planning for the line received a big boost at the end of September 2008 when U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters
announced that the federal government would contribute $30 million to passenger rail projects across the country. The contribution included $1.1 million for the Northern Lights Express. On September 9, 2011, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
announced a grant of $5 million to fund environmental and engineering studies for the project.
from Target Field to Minneapolis Junction, the Midway Subdivision
to Northtown Yard, and then enter the Staples Subdivision
—the same as the current Northstar commuter line. However, the NLX will turn north at Coon Creek Junction in Coon Rapids
to enter the Hinckley Subdivision
, which it will follow to Boylston Junction between Foxboro
and Superior, Wisconsin
. From Boylston, the train will use BNSF's Lakes Subdivision
to reach Superior.
A preliminary study from around the year 2000 projected a cost of $79 million to purchase rolling stock and upgrade track along the existing line, though this apparently only anticipated 79 miles per hour (35.3 m/s) service. The cost projection grew to $320 million in 2008, and $615 million in 2009, with a "worst case scenario" number of $990 million. Up to 80 percent of the cost may be covered by the federal government, only requiring 20% from state and local sources. This is comparable to highway projects which often receive 80% or 90% funding from the federal government, and is in contrast to the Hiawatha light rail and Northstar commuter lines which received 50% matching federal funds.
The wide range of cost estimates relates to how much of the 140 mi (225.3 km) line between Coon Creek Junction and Duluth will need to be upgraded from the current single-track configuration to a double-track corridor. Running double track all the way to Duluth may bring the cost to $990 million, but the NLX organization has preferred to only run double track north to Sandstone
. It was also considered key to upgrade the rails to let trains make the trip in two hours or less. At that pace, the trains could do more than one round trip per day, reducing the number of trainsets needed to provide frequent service. However, the NLX organization revisited some slower options in 2010, and is now leaning toward "Option 2" that would mostly run at 90 mph north of the Twin Cities, but would support speeds up to 110 mph between Cambridge and Hinckley. This would significantly reduce the cost and lead to better benefit-cost calculations, but would also reduce the operating margin to barely better than break-even. Option 2 will have trains take 2 hours and 17 minutes to make the trip, and drop the average speed from about 78 miles per hour (34.9 m/s) to about 68 mph (30.4 m/s). This still compares favorably with the scheduled 3 hours 35 minutes scheduled for the North Star in 1985—a mere 43 mph (19.2 m/s) average.
As of 2009, the line hosts 12 to 15 freight trains per day. It had at least some Class 4 track
which limits freight 50 mph (22.4 m/s) and passenger traffic to 79 mph (35.3 m/s), but this would need to be upgraded to Class 5 and Class 6 in order to support 90 mph and 110 mph speeds, respectively. There are more than 150 grade crossings and 12 bridges on this segment which would need to be improved (or eliminated, in the case of some grade crossings). The line has automatic block signaling, but needs centralized traffic control
and positive train control
installed to support speeds above 79 mph. There are also several sidings along the route which only have manual switches and will need to be automated.
The double-track main line south of Coon Creek Junction is the busiest rail corridor in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In July 2009, before the Northstar commuter line began operation, this segment hosted 63 trains per day. There are already plans for BNSF to construct a third main line in the area from the junction south to East Interstate (the bridge over Interstate 694
). BNSF would then allow allow 22 more passenger trains per day for Northstar, NLX, Amtrak, and possibly other services. The Northstar's Fridley station
was built with the future third main in mind, and was initially built as an island platform
with track only on the east side, requiring the Northstar train to be on that track when traveling inbound to or outbound from Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
and Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
primarily in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. A portion of the line will run through neighboring Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
to serve Duluth's "Twin Port
Twin Ports
The Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin are located at the western part of Lake Superior and together are considered the largest freshwater port in the world. They are twin cities and seaports, connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence...
" of Superior
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
. Plans are to upgrade an existing BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
freight line to allow trains to travel at up to 110 miles per hour (49.2 m/s). The train service will provide an alternative to traveling the busy Interstate 35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
between Duluth and the Twin Cities or to other destinations along the line such as the casino in Hinckley
Hinckley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,291 people, 551 households, and 332 families residing in the city. The population density was 454.3 people per square mile . There were 614 housing units at an average density of 216.0 per square mile...
.
The train will mostly follow the same route as Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
's former North Star
North Star (Amtrak)
The North Star was a passenger train operated by Amtrak along the "Hiawatha Corridor" during the late 1970s and early- to mid-1980s. It originally operated as a Chicago, Illinois–Duluth, Minnesota train via Saint Paul, Minnesota, but was soon converted to a Saint Paul–Duluth local...
, except that it will originate in Minneapolis rather than neighboring Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, and it is planned to stop at a suburban Twin Cities station (probably constructed at Metro Transit
Metro Transit (Minnesota)
Metro Transit is the transit division of the Metropolitan Council, a regional governmental agency in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Metro Transit is the largest operator of bus services in the seven-county region surrounding Minneapolis and St...
's Foley Boulevard bus station
Coon Rapids Foley Boulevard (Metro Transit station)
Coon Rapids - Foley Boulevard is a proposed infill station on the Northstar commuter rail line in Coon Rapids, Minnesota at the site of a current Metro Transit park and ride facility...
). The route follows part of the Northstar commuter rail route which opened in 2009, and will contain the entirety of the proposed Bethel Corridor commuter route, although that service is not expected to be operational by the time NLX opens.
History
The Northern Lights Express will be the first passenger rail service to Duluth since 1986, when AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
discontinued the 50 miles per hour (22.4 m/s) North Star
North Star (Amtrak)
The North Star was a passenger train operated by Amtrak along the "Hiawatha Corridor" during the late 1970s and early- to mid-1980s. It originally operated as a Chicago, Illinois–Duluth, Minnesota train via Saint Paul, Minnesota, but was soon converted to a Saint Paul–Duluth local...
. Alternatives analysis and a corridor assessment report were complete as of summer 2010. The line had initially been projected to open as early as 2012, though more recent sources have stated 2013 or 2014 as start dates. As of 2010, the project was entering either an 18-month Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental impact statement
An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
(EIS) process or a shorter Environmental Assessment (EA) review, but it is unclear which path is being taken. The shorter EA process was strongly advocated by former Rep. James Oberstar, former chairman of the U.S. House Transportation Committee
United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. John Mica currently chairs the committee.-History:...
, who represented northern Minnesota.
Discussion about the Northern Lights Express dates back at least a decade. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted around the year 2000, followed by a comprehensive feasibility study in 2006–2007. A joint powers board was established in 2007 consisting of the regional rail authorities for counties along the corridor along with representatives from Minneapolis, Duluth, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe , also known as the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians or the Mille Lacs Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, is an Ojibwa tribe located in Minnesota. The tribe boasts 3,942 tribal members as of July, 2007...
. The name was given to the line in March 2008 by a vote of the corridor's stakeholders.
A feasibility study was completed in late 2007 which evaluated service at speeds of 79 mph (35.3 m/s), 110 mph (49.2 m/s), and 125 mph (55.9 m/s), and service of 8 round trips per day at 110 mph was recommended. The 79 mph option was discarded because it wouldn't attract enough riders to cover operating costs. NLX supporters hope to receive funds from the Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
The Federal Railroad Administration is an agency in the United States Department of Transportation. The agency was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966...
which requires new train projects to show they will operate at a surplus each year, unlike the Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
that funded the Hiawatha and Northstar lines in the Twin Cities. Trains would also operate at a surplus at 125 mph, but higher capital costs and only a modest reduction in travel time made that option look less attractive. The study used the diesel-powered
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
Talgo XXI as a reference, which has poor acceleration above 110 mph
Planning for the line received a big boost at the end of September 2008 when U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters
Mary Peters
Mary Peters may refer to:* Mary Peters , British athlete* Mary Peters , American politician, 15th United States Secretary of Transportation...
announced that the federal government would contribute $30 million to passenger rail projects across the country. The contribution included $1.1 million for the Northern Lights Express. On September 9, 2011, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
Ray LaHood
Raymond H. "Ray" LaHood is a Republican politician from Illinois who is currently the United States Secretary of Transportation, having served since 2009. Previously, he represented the Illinois's 18th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for seven terms .-Early life and...
announced a grant of $5 million to fund environmental and engineering studies for the project.
Required track improvements
The Northern Lights Express is planned to use several segments of BNSF track. Starting from the south, it will run along the Wayzata SubdivisionWayzata Subdivision
The Wayzata Subdivision or Wayzata Sub is a railway line that runs about from Willmar to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently operated by BNSF Railway, this was part of the Great Northern Railway's transcontinental line from Minneapolis to Seattle, Washington...
from Target Field to Minneapolis Junction, the Midway Subdivision
Midway Subdivision
The Midway Subdivision or Midway Sub is a railway line in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota on the BNSF Railway's Northern Transcon which runs from Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington. This is former Great Northern Railway trackage, and now forms the southern set of BNSF tracks running...
to Northtown Yard, and then enter the Staples Subdivision
Staples Subdivision
The Staples Subdivision or Staples Sub is a railway line running about from Dilworth to Fridley, Minnesota . It is operated by BNSF Railway as part of their Northern Transcon and contains the busiest segment of mainline track in the state, between Coon Rapids and Fridley...
—the same as the current Northstar commuter line. However, the NLX will turn north at Coon Creek Junction in Coon Rapids
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,627 people, 22,578 households, and 16,572 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,718.1 people per square mile . There were 22,828 housing units at an average density of 1,007.2 per square mile...
to enter the Hinckley Subdivision
Hinckley Subdivision
The Hinckley Subdivision or Hinckley Sub is a railway line operated by BNSF Railway between Coon Rapids, Minnesota and Boylston Junction between Foxboro and Superior, Wisconsin...
, which it will follow to Boylston Junction between Foxboro
Foxboro, Wisconsin
Foxboro is an unincorporated community, in Douglas County, in the town of Summit, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.County Road B serves as a main arterial route in the community. Wisconsin Highway 35 is nearby....
and Superior, Wisconsin
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
. From Boylston, the train will use BNSF's Lakes Subdivision
Lakes Subdivision
The Lakes Subdivision or Lakes Sub is a railway line operated by BNSF Railway that runs about from the Grand Forks Subdivision at Cass Lake, Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin, where there are a number of lines. U.S. Highway 2 runs parallel to the line for most of its route. U.S. 2 continues across...
to reach Superior.
A preliminary study from around the year 2000 projected a cost of $79 million to purchase rolling stock and upgrade track along the existing line, though this apparently only anticipated 79 miles per hour (35.3 m/s) service. The cost projection grew to $320 million in 2008, and $615 million in 2009, with a "worst case scenario" number of $990 million. Up to 80 percent of the cost may be covered by the federal government, only requiring 20% from state and local sources. This is comparable to highway projects which often receive 80% or 90% funding from the federal government, and is in contrast to the Hiawatha light rail and Northstar commuter lines which received 50% matching federal funds.
The wide range of cost estimates relates to how much of the 140 mi (225.3 km) line between Coon Creek Junction and Duluth will need to be upgraded from the current single-track configuration to a double-track corridor. Running double track all the way to Duluth may bring the cost to $990 million, but the NLX organization has preferred to only run double track north to Sandstone
Sandstone, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,549 people, 580 households, and 359 families residing in the city. The population density was 292.5 people per square mile . There were 634 housing units at an average density of 119.7 per square mile...
. It was also considered key to upgrade the rails to let trains make the trip in two hours or less. At that pace, the trains could do more than one round trip per day, reducing the number of trainsets needed to provide frequent service. However, the NLX organization revisited some slower options in 2010, and is now leaning toward "Option 2" that would mostly run at 90 mph north of the Twin Cities, but would support speeds up to 110 mph between Cambridge and Hinckley. This would significantly reduce the cost and lead to better benefit-cost calculations, but would also reduce the operating margin to barely better than break-even. Option 2 will have trains take 2 hours and 17 minutes to make the trip, and drop the average speed from about 78 miles per hour (34.9 m/s) to about 68 mph (30.4 m/s). This still compares favorably with the scheduled 3 hours 35 minutes scheduled for the North Star in 1985—a mere 43 mph (19.2 m/s) average.
As of 2009, the line hosts 12 to 15 freight trains per day. It had at least some Class 4 track
Speed limits in the United States (rail)
Rail speed limits in the United States are regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration. Railroads also implement their own limits and enforce speed limits. Speed restrictions are based on a number of factors including curvature, signaling, track condition, the physical condition of a train,...
which limits freight 50 mph (22.4 m/s) and passenger traffic to 79 mph (35.3 m/s), but this would need to be upgraded to Class 5 and Class 6 in order to support 90 mph and 110 mph speeds, respectively. There are more than 150 grade crossings and 12 bridges on this segment which would need to be improved (or eliminated, in the case of some grade crossings). The line has automatic block signaling, but needs centralized traffic control
Centralized traffic control
Centralized traffic control is a form of railway signalling that originated in North America and centralizes train routing decisions that were previously carried out by local signal operators or the train crews themselves. The system consists of a centralized train dispatcher's office that...
and positive train control
Positive Train Control
Positive train control is a system of monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety.-Overview:The main concept in PTC is that the train receives information about its location and where it is allowed to safely travel, also known as movement authorities...
installed to support speeds above 79 mph. There are also several sidings along the route which only have manual switches and will need to be automated.
The double-track main line south of Coon Creek Junction is the busiest rail corridor in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In July 2009, before the Northstar commuter line began operation, this segment hosted 63 trains per day. There are already plans for BNSF to construct a third main line in the area from the junction south to East Interstate (the bridge over Interstate 694
Interstate 694
Interstate 694 is an east–west auxiliary Interstate Highway located in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The western terminus of the route is at its junction with Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 in Maple Grove...
). BNSF would then allow allow 22 more passenger trains per day for Northstar, NLX, Amtrak, and possibly other services. The Northstar's Fridley station
Fridley (Metro Transit station)
Fridley Station is a commuter rail station in Fridley, Minnesota, located at Main Street NE and 61st Avenue NE. It is served by the Northstar Commuter Rail line. The station features bicycle lockers and two park and ride lots with a total capacity of 611 spaces. The commute time to downtown...
was built with the future third main in mind, and was initially built as an island platform
Island platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
with track only on the east side, requiring the Northstar train to be on that track when traveling inbound to or outbound from Minneapolis.