As More Americans Begin To Rediscover Train Travel, A Long Desired Route Connecting Texas To The East Coast Is A Step Closer To Reality.

Basically, as of right now there's no connection between East Texas and "the eastern United States" by train. But that could change for future generations.

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $500,000 to the research of the I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service project that would pass through the cities of Marshall, Longview, and Mineola.

Train Travel Is Limited For East Texans.

Currently, if you wanted to hop on a train, your options are few. The nearest "station" in East Texas is in Mineola and you can hop on the Texas Eagle which takes you to either Dallas/Fort Worth and all points west or you can go towards the East but you would have to go as far as CHICAGO, ILLINOIS to be able to catch a train to the East.

A New Proposal Could Change That.

The I-20 Corridor Council was formed in 2004 to re-establish passenger rail service along the Interstate 20 Corridor, connecting Fort Worth, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, through northeast Texas, northern Louisiana, and Central Mississippi, also connecting to Washington, D.C., and New York City.

If Successful, East Texans Could Finally Take The Train from Coast To Coast.

There's only 345 miles of existing railway that could connect Marshall, TX to Meridian, Mississippi that's needed to make this happen.

So let's get it on! Of course with everything "bureaucratic" and all it may take a few years before this can be a reality. But wouldn't be super nice to take the train from MINEOLA to ATL, or DC or NYC or LA?