By Railfan & Railroad Staff

More than 18,500 people climbed aboard Amtrak’s Borealis during its first month of operation between Chicago and St. Paul, Minn. 

The train is being run with the backing of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, and doubles passenger service along the corridor that is also served by the long-distance Empire Builder. On average about 300 people a riding the train each way every day, railroad officials said. 

“Amtrak and our state partners have always believed the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor was a great one with tremendous opportunity,” said Ray Lang, Vice President, Amtrak State Supported Service. “The ridership numbers we have seen so far confirm our belief and we expect this trend to continue as the service matures and we head into the peak summer travel season.”

The eastbound Borealis, No. 1340, departs St. Paul, at 11:50 a.m., about three hours after the Builder does. The westbound, No. 1333, leaves Chicago Union Station at 11:05 a.m., about four hours before train No. 7. The new train will serve all stops that the Empire Builder and Hiawatha trains do.