Twin Cities - Fargo - Grand Forks - Winnipeg

Overview

There is currently no intercity bus or passenger rail service connecting cities in the Midwestern US with Winnipeg in Manitoba. Winnipeg is the largest city in Manitoba with a population approaching 1 million. The city is approximately 150 miles from Grand Forks, ND and 700 miles from Minneapolis. AAMN believes that the Twin Cities to Winnipeg could be a viable market for future passenger rail service, with bus service in the near term.

A new daytime train between Saint Paul and Fargo/Moorhead could be extended to Winnipeg or new bus service could connect with the Empire Builder when the Builder operates more reliably (improved on-time performance).

Minnesota State Rail Plan

The 2026 Minnesota State Rail Plan acknowledges the potential for this route, though it currently earns a Level 3 priority and receives a very poor “0” rating for ‘Level of Planning/Preparedness given the high number of steps needed for implementation.

Two options exist for a proposed rail route. First, a section of the existing Empire Builder train could run from the Twin Cities and then split in Grand Forks and travel on to Winnipeg. If successful, a future standalone daytime train between the Twin Cities, Fargo, Grand Forks, Crookston and Winnipeg could supplement the corridor.

Track Condition

BNSF continues to make improvements to the line east and north of Grand Forks, including modern signaling and new passing sidings due to increased Canadian freight traffic. The route will need more infrastructure improvements between Grand Forks and Winnipeg to host passenger rail trains.

History of Passenger Rail Service in Corridor

The Twin Cities to Winnipeg corridor was fairly robust with passenger rail service into the late 1960's:

  • Soo Line ran an overnight train called the "Winnipeger" until 1967 from St. Paul to Winnipeg.
  • Northern Pacific ran through-cars on their secondary transcontinental Chicago-Seattle “Mainstreeter” train from St. Paul to Hawley, MN, where the Winnipeg bound cars split off. In 1962, the through cars were replaced by a Budd car which connected with the “Mainstreeter.” That service ended by 1970.
  • Great Northern offered the most robust service with the overnight "Winnipeg Limited" from St. Paul to Winnipeg. The through overnight “Winnipeg Limited” from St. Paul to Winnipeg ended in February 1970, replaced by a Grand Forks, ND to Winnipeg train that connected with the “Western Star” in Grand Forks. Called the "Winnipeg Connection," it lasted until Amtrak began on May 1, 1971.

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