"[...] High-speed trains saved the railways. An industry that was gradually sinking into oblivion, thanks to motorways and aeroplanes, has been revitalised by a technological revolution that means trains travel faster, more safely and more comfortably."

The most dynamic countries are surging ahead with high-speed rail. Others, like Britain, are stuck in the station | Christian Wolmar

Around the world, these trains have boosted economies, development and prestige. The costs of missing out are high, says transport writer and author Christian Wolmar

theguardian.com

CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen will be the keynote speaker at our joint Transit-a-Thon on Aug. 11! Join us at the DePaul University Chaddick Institute for an evening of round-robin transit discussions covering a variety of topics. Grab your spot today!

Transit-a-Thon | High Speed Rail Alliance

Join us and Strong Towns Chicago, Congress for the New Urbanism Chicago, and Abundant Housing Illinois for energizing transit discussions.

hsrail.org

Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners have outlined a path toward overhauling New York Penn Station based on a study released by the Federal Railroad Administration in July, the first to propose a ground-up rethinking of how NYP could substantially expand capacity within its current footprint.

Planners Ignored Penn Station’s Core Problems for Decades. A New Study Changes That. | High Speed Rail Alliance

America is defined by its regions. From the mountains and lush forests of Cascadia, to the plains and Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the bluegrass and sweet wetlands of the Southeast—every region is…

hsrail.org

🎉 Gov. Pritzker has signed HB4442 into law, which extends the life of the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission until January 1, 2030. Thank you to everyone who contacted their Illinois legislators and the governor this session to help make this happen.

Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission Extended Until 2030 | High Speed Rail Alliance

Gov. Pritzker has signed HB4442 which extends the life of the Illinois High Speed Railway Commission until January 1, 2030.

hsrail.org

Would love to seem them run the S. Chicago Branch about as often as the 6 bus runs. Could even run them as two-car sets instead of 4 if equipment’s an issue. Then run the 6 bus as a local from 47th to 79th and position those 60-foot buses elsewhere. The train is truly so much better in this case!

High Speed Rail Alliance@hsrail.bsky.social · last wk.

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) begins its work this year with a mission to integrate fares, schedules, and service between Metra and CTA. It needs an early, high-impact win. And the Metra Electric South Chicago Branch needs a champion. It’s a great place for NITA to start its work.

If you loved last year's Housing-a-Thon as much as we did, you're gonna wanna grab your free ticket ASAP! On Aug. 11, we’re teaming up with @strongtownschicago.bsky.social, @abundanthousingil.bsky.social & @hsrail.bsky.social to tackle transit issues in Chicago. www.eventbrite.com/e/transit-a-...

"Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. [...] unveiled a new train built for Taiwan's high-speed rail operator at a shipment ceremony in western Japan, with commercial service planned to begin as early as 2027. "

Hitachi, Toshiba unveil new train for Taiwan high-speed rail

Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. on Thursday unveiled a new train built for Taiwan's high-speed rail operator at a shipment ceremony in western Japan, with commercial service planned to begin as early…

english.kyodonews.net

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is holding a public hearing about its Regional Transportation Plan on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. CDT. You can attend in-person or virtually. Join us to provide feedback and advocate for a dramatic growth in electrified passenger rail in Chicagoland.

Public Hearing on the Regional Transportation Plan

CMAP occasionally holds public hearings to collect testimony and feedback regarding specific proposals or issues. These meetings are designed to provide notice to the public to ensure transparency,…

cmap.illinois.gov

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) begins its work this year with a mission to integrate fares, schedules, and service between Metra and CTA. It needs an early, high-impact win. And the Metra Electric South Chicago Branch needs a champion. It’s a great place for NITA to start its work.

NITA Can Notch an Early Success with Metra’s "Quantum Line" | High Speed Rail Alliance

America is defined by its regions. From the mountains and lush forests of Cascadia, to the plains and Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the bluegrass and sweet wetlands of the Southeast—every region is…

hsrail.org

The U.S. DOT has proposed eliminating all guaranteed funding for public transit and passenger rail, putting 85% of these federal investments on the chopping block. @apta-info.bsky.social provides more about what's at stake and what you can do to help.

U.S. Department of Transportation Submits Surface Transportation Authorization Proposals - APTA

apta.com

Michigan has an incredible opportunity for economic growth - if the state government is willing to commit to great trains. Executive Director Rick Harnish and Carolyn Ulstad from the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities share more about how Michigan can get this work done.

You can now listen to Executive Director Rick Harnish's interview with Rob Hart of WBBM, where they discussed the state of bullet trains in the Midwest, how Chicago would make for a great high-speed rail city, why bullet trains are limited in the U.S., and much more!

Can Chicago Become A High Speed Rail Hub?

At Issue on WBBM Newsradio · Episode

open.spotify.com

Join us Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. alongside Strong Towns Chicago, CNU Chicago, and Abundant Housing Illinois at DePaul University’s Loop campus for an evening of energizing small-group discussions covering a variety of transit topics. Reserve a spot today!

Transit-a-Thon | High Speed Rail Alliance

Join us and Strong Towns Chicago, Congress for the New Urbanism Chicago, and Abundant Housing Illinois for energizing transit discussions.

hsrail.org

Driving through Wisconsin on I-90/94 on the weekend is its own special kind of hell Because why am I stuck in traffic in the middle of a soybean field WisDOT should be building high-speed rail instead of blowing taxpayer money on freeway widening

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is seeking comments on the 2026 revision of the official Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Tell them you want electrified trains! Comments are due July 31 and you don't have to live in Illinois to comment. www.hsrail.org/blog/action-...

Tell Chicago: Include Electrified Rail in the Regional Transportation Plan | High Speed Rail Alliance

Comment on the Chicago Regional Transportation Plan. The Chicago area has a critical role to play in building high-speed and regional rail.

hsrail.org

👀 Just a few days left until the first-ever Chicago Marketplace of the Future on Saturday 7/25, the official closing ceremony of Chicago Climate Week! 🌎️ Learn more about how you can build a more sustainable future with the High Speed Rail Alliance. 🎟️ Hope to see you there!

The 2026 Marketplace of the Future | High Speed Rail Alliance

Catch us in the Exhibitor Hall at this new take on the World's Fair and the Official Closing Ceremony of the first-ever Chicago Climate Week!

hsrail.org

⚡ Visit us at Railroad Days at Pullman National Historical Park Saturday 7/25 and Sunday 7/26! 🤝 Meet HSRA staff and volunteers at our tent in the STEAM activity fair 🚃 Test your rail knowledge with Train Trivia and learn how to get involved with us!

Railroad Days: An Electric Centennial at Pullman National Historic Park | High Speed Rail Alliance

HSRA is participating in this year's Railroad Days at Pullman National Historic Park. Play train trivia with us at the STEAM activity fair!

hsrail.org

The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency have signed a new memorandum of understanding, which focuses on collaboration on environmental approvals and station integration and design, particularly for the planned Palmdale Station.

California High-Speed Rail and High Desert Corridor Strengthen Partnership

The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency (HDC JPA) have strengthened their coordination.

railway-news.com

Illinois: There's less than a month left to urge Gov. Pritzker to sign HB4442 into law. This bill would extend the life of the Illinois High-Speed Railway Commission by three years. Please take a moment to send an email and help keep this progress going.

Ask Governor Pritzker to extend the Illinois High Speed Railway Commission | High Speed Rail Alliance

America is defined by its regions. From the mountains and lush forests of Cascadia, to the plains and Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the bluegrass and sweet wetlands of the Southeast—every region is…

hsrail.org

Chicago-area radio listeners can catch Executive Director Rick Harnish on At Issue with Rob Hart this Sunday, July 19 at: 6 a.m. on WXRT (93.1 FM) 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on WBBM (780 AM and 105.9 FM) 11:30 p.m. on The Score (670 AM) Stay tuned for the podcast recording!

The American High-Speed Rail Act of 2026—introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) in May with 52 cosponsors—aims to put high-speed rail (HSR) front and center in U.S. transportation planning and spending.

Moulton Bill Plants a Flag for Major Funding—and Policy Reforms—to Develop Us High-Speed Rail

The American High Speed Rail Act of 2026 aims to put high-speed rail front and center in U.S. transportation planning and spending.

hsrail.org

The fact that the Illinois EPA's Climate Action Plan lays out basically nothing for getting more trains and transit running is particularly disgusting on a day like this. If progressive states aren't going to take the climate crisis seriously, who will?

🚄 Hey, Chicago! We're excited to be a part of Chicago Climate Week as an exhibitor at Marketplace of the Future! 🌳 Check us out and other leaders advancing climate solutions and innovation. 🎟️ Get your tickets today!

The 2026 Marketplace of the Future | High Speed Rail Alliance

Catch us in the Exhibitor Hall at this new take on the World's Fair and the Official Closing Ceremony of the first-ever Chicago Climate Week!

hsrail.org

As wildfire smoke and extreme heat continue to batter much of the United States and Canada, we cannot stress enough that shifting the transport of goods and people to electrified railways is crucial to combating climate change. Learn more about the amazing power of the OG EVs.

10 Reasons Why Trains Will Save Us | High Speed Rail Alliance

We won’t make serious progress on overcoming the climate crisis without getting people out of cars and into mass transit—especially trains.

hsrail.org

It's simple: When given the choice between flying and traveling by high-speed rail, especially between city pairs less than 1000 km apart, people will take the train.

China Is Making Boeing Optional - CleanTechnica

China is shifting dense short routes to rail, building COMAC and treating Boeing and Airbus as conditional capacity in an aerospace-sovereignty strategy.

cleantechnica.com

Alto, Canada's high-speed rail project, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on planning, environmental assessment, and project management.

Rail News - Canada's Alto, conservation authority sign MOU for high-speed rail development. For Railroad Career Professionals

Progressive Railroading Daily News

progressiverailroading.com

To adapt to a warming climate, Eurostar's next fleet of trains must be able to withstand temperatures of 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

As Europe bakes, Eurostar orders trains that can cope with 55C heat | CNN Business

Eurostar has specified that its new fleet of trains must be able to withstand sweltering temperatures as it gears up for a radically altered European climate over the coming decades.

cnn.com

🚅 👀 Join us Friday, Aug. 21 for a webinar with renowned railway historian Christian Wolmar about his upcoming book “Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail."

Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail | High Speed Rail Alliance

Join us Aug. 21 for an exclusive conversation with Christian Wolmar about his latest book, covering the complete history of high-speed rail.

hsrail.org

Milwaukee Mayor Johnson is making a huge mistake. A boulevard could handle the traffic currently on I-794 while unliking tens of millions in fevenhe for the city annually. This is a shame considering he just talked a big vision at @hsrail.bsky.social WI rail meeting. www.wpr.org/news/milwauk...

Milwaukee mayor does not support removing I-794 Lake Interchange

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he would like see the state make improvements to the city’s I-794 Lake Interchange corridor rather than tearing it down.

wpr.org

We’re excited to be part of Railroad Days at Pullman National Historical Park this July 25-26! 🚃⚡️ Check out our table and play train-themed trivia with us at this family-friendly weekend celebrating 100 years of electrified rail in Chicago. #PullmanRailroadDays26

Railroad Days: An Electric Centennial at Pullman National Historic Park | High Speed Rail Alliance

HSRA is participating in this year's Railroad Days at Pullman National Historic Park. Play train trivia with us at the STEAM activity fair!

hsrail.org