Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., successfully passed through the U.S. Senate a measure that would require Amtrak to study possible reinstatement of the old North Coast Hiawatha Route. Amtrak ended the route in 1979 in a cost-cutting move.
The U.S. House has not yet begun to craft its version of the bill. Even if the measure were passed this year and the study completed, government funding still would need to be found.
The Montana Association of Railroad Passengers will have a public meeting on the subject Feb. 29 in Helena, with presentations from a variety of railroad, state and federal officials.
By NOELLE STRAUB, IR Washington Bureau
Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2008/02/24/state/top/55st_080224_amtrak.txt