Twin Cities - Duluth / Superior
The Northern Lights Express (NLX) is a proposed state-supported passenger rail project that would connect the Duluth Union Depot with the Twin Cities. The route is about 150 miles. Several intermediate cities would be served including Superior Wisconsin, Hinkley, Cambridge, and Coon Rapids. Amtrak served this corridor from 1975 until 1985 when the North Star train ceased operations. Before Amtrak, three railroads served this corridor with passenger service, the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, and Soo Line.
Formal planning for this corridor began in the mid to late 2000’s. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is now the local agency advancing this service. Partners include the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Northern Lights Express Alliance. This corridor appears in the 2026 Minnesota State Rail Plan.
Currently, this project is a formal Corridor ID grant project within the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID program. The project was accepted into the program in March of 2024 with MnDOT completing Step 1 in May 2025. Like many other rail projects around the US, this corridor is waiting for FRA approval via a Notice of Funding Opportunity to move to Step 2.
In May 2023, the Minnesota legislature provided $194 million for this corridor and other passenger rail investments H.F. 2887. The legislation was championed by the late Rep. Melissa Hortman. During the 2025 Legislative Session, $77 million of the NXL funding was reappropriated to fill a budget gap, leaving $117 million. H.F. 1143.
The sunset date for this funding is June 30, 2028, at which time any unspent funding would be transferred to the Hennepin County Medical Center and the hospital stabilization reserve account S.F. 4612.
Two prominent members of Congress from the state of Minnesota advocate for cancelling the project. Without federal funding, the project would not be feasible.
Under the current plan, the train would travel on existing Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway (BNSF) tracks and connect the Twin Cities to the Duluth Union Depot. Additional stops include Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley, and Superior, Wisconsin.
New sections of track and sidings would need to be constructed alongside the main route so the passenger trains could move out of the way of freight trains.
Estimated cost and ridership
The estimated capital cost for the corridor is $719 million as of 2024, the most recent number available. With FRA delays in releasing funding, updated figures for capital cost and updated schedule will occur in Step 2 of the Corridor ID program. Under current federal programs, Minnesota would pay 20% of that amount and the federal government would provide the remainder. Project costs will include ADA compliant stations, signals, grade crossing and track improvements to enable running speeds faster than freight trains. The federal government currently has a program to support the early years of passenger rail operations.