BILLINGS — It’s been nearly half a century since the last passenger train rolled through the historic Billings Depot, but a growing movement could soon change that.
“Now is the time to get on board. It truly is,” said Jess Peterson with the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority.
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A grassroots push to restore passenger rail service along Montana’s southern route is gaining momentum.
The proposed line would reconnect communities from Chicago to Seattle, including key stops in Montana, such as rural towns and reservation communities.
“The city of Billings was built around the railroad,” said Michelle Williams with the Billings Depot.
Williams looks ahead to the future when the depot is once again bustling with travelers.
“To have passenger service back would just be phenomenal,” she said. “It would be an influx of people into our downtown. It would support the walkability, all the businesses, economic development.”
Reviving rail travel across the state has become a hot topic around the state in recent years.
Peterson says federal support is already secured, but now, state action is critical.
“There’s so much to benefit from the connectivity. Before we even get passenger rail, we are improving it for freight rail. We are bringing millions of dollars for Amtrak and others,” Peterson said. “This is as real as it’s ever been. It’s moving forward and it’s federally recognized.”
A bill currently moving through the Montana Legislature, House Bill 848, could be a key piece of the puzzle. The measure would establish a Big Sky Rail Account, allocating $2 million annually from rail car tax revenue to support the effort.
Peterson says it has bipartisan support and moved to a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon.
The funding proposal comes at a time when lawmakers are also considering historic tax relief and other priorities, such as rising childcare costs for Montana families and Medicaid.
Peterson believes the long-term benefits for Montana are clear.
“It’s manufacturers, it’s in our agriculture, it’s in our job force, it’s in all the things that we have—and passenger rail brings all of that together,” he said. “So why wouldn’t we, when we have all of those strengths, our industry, our people, our goods, why wouldn’t we connect it with passenger rail?”
If the plan moves forward, the Billings Depot could once again become a key travel hub, reviving its original purpose.
Housed on four city blocks, the historic depot has four buildings. The main depot has hosted countless events, inviting people from around Billings and surrounding areas to gather for weddings and fundraisers.
“In a perfect world, we would love to see this main depot building remain as an event center,” said Williams. “But for passenger service, we have the original office building that was used by the railroad, and we think that would be a perfect place to have passengers come through.”
For Williams, the vision is clear: rail passengers stepping off the train into downtown Billings, ready to explore.
“I love the idea of hundreds of people coming to Billings, getting off at this station, walking into downtown, enjoying our neighboring businesses and restaurants, art galleries,” she said.
With support from both federal and potentially state partners, the dream of restoring passenger rail and breathing new life into the Billings Depot may soon be on track.
Watch related coverage: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority working to secure continued federal funding
