For generations, Ohio communities were built, shaped, and sustained by rail infrastructure. Today, many of those historical pathways are exclusively used for freight cargo. However, passenger rail remains a hidden gem in Northeast Ohio, offering an incredible blueprint for what the future of regional transportation could look like.

Recently, advocacy group All Aboard Ohio hosted a community event at the historic Lorain County Transportation Center in downtown Elyria to discuss the active push to relocate the local Amtrak station back to this beautiful facility and expand daytime rail options across the state.

Elyria’s Hidden Transit Triumph

When people think of major transit hubs in Ohio, cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati naturally come to mind. But when looking at the data for Amtrak ridership, the results are surprising. Served by four Amtrak trains every night, Elyria drives healthy ridership despite the lack of daytime trains.

• 13,000 Passengers: In fiscal year 2025, approximately 13,000 travelers got on or off an Amtrak train in Elyria. That translates to roughly 35 people every night.

• The #3 Spot: Despite its modest, bus-shelter-style station, Elyria ranks as the third busiest Amtrak station in the state of Ohio—surpassed only by Cleveland and Toledo.

• Beating the Queen City: Elyria brings in more annual riders than Cincinnati Union Terminal, a world-class architectural marvel and museum space.

Right now, to catch a train from Elyria, passengers must wait in an exposed structure in the middle of the night. Yet people still use the service. It is clear that the third-busiest station in the state deserves a better facility.

Bringing Amtrak Back to the Historic Center

The ultimate goal of Amtrak and local transit advocates is to move the passenger rail station back to the Lorain County Transportation Center. Built in 1925 to serve the New York Central Railroad, the facility was completely renovated by the county in 2010. Today, it acts as a central hub for the Lorain County fixed-route system, the Via micro-transit network, Greyhound, and the state's new Go Bus service (which connects Ashtabula to Toledo via Elyria and Sandusky).

Bringing Amtrak into this multi-modal hub would instantly grant passengers protection from the weather, modern restroom facilities, and (with future daytime service) seamless connections to local and regional buses.

The Financial Blueprint

Because Amtrak is currently working under a court order to bring its nationwide platforms up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Amtrak must upgrade its Elyria facilities. Rather than just upgrading the current location, the rail carrier is using this as an opportunity to relocate back to the historic train station. Amtrak estimates it would cost $10 million to execute the project, and has budgeted money towards the effort. They are actively seeking partners for additional financial support, needing to have the money lined up before being able to commit to the relocation.

• Amtrak's Commitment: $5 million allocated directly toward the project.

• State Support: The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has committed $100,000.

• Federal Grants: A $4 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant is being pursued, which requires a local $1 million match.

The ORDC funding counts towards the local match on the federal grant, leaving $900,000 remaining to close the funding gap. Government entities including NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) and the state capital budget are being looked to as vital partners to cross the finish line. Amtrak has already drafted initial concepts for the site, designing both an elevator/staircase structure and a simpler 8-ramp structure for ADA access to the elevated viaduct tracks.

The Ultimate Vision: State-Supported and Long-Distance Daytime Service

Right now, Elyria is served by two major night-running trains: the Lake Shore Limited (connecting Chicago, Cleveland, Upstate New York, New York City, and Boston) and the Floridian (a newly combined 2,076-mile route running from Chicago down to Miami).

While these long-distance lines are popular and regularly sell-out, the true evolution of Ohio transit relies on introducing daytime service. Advocates, like All Aboard Ohio, are approaching this through two distinct strategies:

1. The Corridor ID Program (Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit)

Established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this Federal Rail Administration program granted $500,000 to study the Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit (CTD) corridor. Step 1 of the planning phase is officially complete.

This corridor isn't just about traveling from end to end; it’s about connecting the mid-sized communities in between. For example, it would allow residents in Elyria and Sandusky to seamlessly take a daytime train to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport for commercial flights, or give university students a comfortable, safe, affordable ride to the University of Toledo.

2. The "Great Lakes Limited" Proposal

To circumvent the political hurdles often associated with state-supported rail, advocates from the Lakeshore Rail Alliance have introduced a fast-track alternative concept: The Great Lakes Limited.

Because federal frameworks define any route over 750 miles as a long-distance line, the federal government covers the operating costs rather than individual states. By designing an 800+ mile daytime route from Detroit through Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, and upstate New York into New York City, Amtrak could utilize existing stations and crew bases without requiring massive infrastructure upgrades.

Transportation Freedom and Choice

Expanding passenger rail is ultimately an investment in autonomy. It provides reliable mobility for those who cannot drive, choose not to drive, or simply want to reclaim their time. Whether it's sending a student off to a college in New York or taking a day trip across the state without fighting highway congestion, a robust rail network makes communities more resilient, connected, and economically vibrant.

By utilizing the expansive rail infrastructure Ohio already possesses, the state can transform its historic foundations into a modern framework for regional travel. All Aboard Ohio is a reliable source for updates on this work.

Cover photo by Rob Winn