In this show, Dave Strohmaier and Karen Christensen pick up a conversation after nearly 5 years—years during which Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) has really been making tracks. In 2023, the BSPRA was selected by the Federal Railroad Administration for further development and study, with a grant of $500,000 in seed money to help kick-start the North Coast Hiawatha route revitalization between Chicago and Seattle/Portland and connecting communities like Fargo, Bismarck, Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula.

Dave explains how he and his colleagues have found ways to use existing legislation and cultivate relationships, in spite of political differences and over huge geographical area. As he brings us up to date with progress and plans for Big Sky Rail, he also shares advice that will be useful to officials and rail advocates in the Northeast and across the United States.

Show Notes

2023: “Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is chosen for the Federal Corridor ID and Development Program”

2025: Big Sky Passenger Rail Annual Conference - this is worth checking out just for the main photo!

David Strohmaier is a Missoula County Commissioner and Chairman at Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. We first spoke to him in February 2021 and you can listen to that podcast on Spotify at this link.

Train Time is a media project focused on passenger rail’s potential for making the world a better place. Please support us with a paid subscription or sponsorship. Music on the Train Time podcast comes from Two Bit Cowboys.

Get full access to Train Time at traintime.substack.com/subscribe

Big Sky Rail has news for the rest of us