Hello Reader,

ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter!

Three Amtrak Routes Are Back on Track! 🚆

You may remember that a few Amtrak routes were temporarily sidelined when they pulled Horizon cars due to safety concerns. But the good news is that they are back on track! The Cascades was the last route to return.

Other updates:

• The Borealis is back to using Superliner coach cars
• The Cascades now has Amfleet trainsets
• The Hiawatha is running with available cars, they are no loger buses.

So, why was the Cascades the last to get on track? It boiled down to logistics.

The Borialis and Hiawatha are Chicago-based, so it is easier to get equipment for these trains.

Cascades' replacement cars arrived from Beech Grove or came from the Chicago pool of cars; they needed to be transferred to Chicago, coupled to the Empire Builder, and prepared for Cascades' service. That takes a little time.

From Rails to Runways ✈️

While I’m all about riding the rails, sometimes we need to fly—especially for my overseas Travels with Kev, and those followers who understand the balancing act between time, money, and wants.

Depending on scheduling or budget, taking the train one way and flying the other can be smart and make a "traincation" affordable.

As an intermodal traveler based in Southeast Wisconsin, I’ve found that taking a train to a flight makes me a little happier.

Other reasons I might want to head to Union Station before heading to an airport:

• I have more flight options
• Help save on parking
• Even lower my travel costs
• And I get some train time!

Of course, you may have your reason for flying in or out of Chicago.

For example, ever since my sister moved to a part of Florida without rail or bus service, I’ve had to rely on the skies to visit her. Having several airports to choose from makes flying easier—and I can still work in a bit of rail time, too!

If you’re planning to fly into Chicago to catch a train (or the other way around), check out my newest article to help make your trip as smooth as possible:

👉 Learn your rail-to-runway options​

What has Kev been doing?

Like I said last week, I have my silent film this weekend, and it is coming together. Do you know how you practice for something like this? You watch and play the organ several times, for about an hour and fifteen minutes each time. So that is a lot of sitting and playing. But it feels good for it all to work out.

You have other options. I wanted to express how much I appreciate you following me, and I genuinely mean that. You have different options, but I feel honored and humbled that you follow me.

Looking at the Markers 🚂

Thanks for reading this newsletter and for contacting me! I also want to thank those who support my work, ensuring it will be available when you and others need it. If you want to help, visit my support page, join Patreon, or use the green button at the bottom of the newsletter.

Together, we’re inspiring more people to explore the world—one train trip at a time! 🚆✨

Until Next Week…

Happy planning and safe travels,
Kev Monteith