Culbertson On Board For Amtrak Stop

Efforts to resume Amtrak service to Culbertson are getting closer to reality, and all that is needed is a depot.

Culbertson Mayor Gordon Oelkers says Amtrak and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad have endorsed the idea of adding a stop in Culbertson along the Empire Builder train route but there's been no decision when the service would start.

The Great Falls Tribune reports that a BNSF official contacted late Friday afternoon was not immediately able to confirm Oelker's news.

But Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the company thinks there is a good business reason to stop the train in Culbertson.

However, he says the stop needs a proper platform to accommodate the Empire Builder.

Oelkers said a Culbertson stop would serve an estimated 7,000 riders, including some Canadians.