A realistic, updated timeline on when passengers will finally see the aging long-distance fleet replaced with modern equipment. This will impact trains in Cincinnati, Toledo, and Cleveland

Today, Amtrak’s 55th anniversary isn’t all that’s being celebrated. The U.S. is experiencing a veritable resurgence of passenger rail which some have described as a renaissance. Demand is at an all-time high, and routes from the west coast to the east coast are reporting unprecedented volumes of passengers. Rather than fighting to preserve a dying train network, Amtrak is breaking its own records every year.

The funding that kickstarted Ohio’s passenger rail renaissance has an expiration date. A new analysis from the Eno Center reveals why returning to the budget models of the past could derail the 3C&D corridor just as it gains momentum—and that we must demand multi-year appropriations to keep the project on track.

Learn about advance appropriations established for 2026 and the important funding dates for the future. To support the future of passenger rail efforts across Ohio and the nation, understanding the How, What and Why of passenger rail financing is crucial.

In December the Federal Railroad Administration announced updates to the Corridor ID program. These updates tailor next steps of the program towards the complexity of projects to smooth the ability to receive approvals and confidence from the federal government. This impacts routes in Ohio like those through Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo.