Ride the Rail: Passenger Train Dubuque to Chicago Non-Endowed Fund

Dedicated to the establishment of passenger rail service between Dubuque and Chicago. The reinstatement of passenger rail service from Chicago to Dubuque is one of the community’s visionary priorities. Significant efforts by the Ride the Rail, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, East Central Intergovernmental Agency, and the City of Dubuque and surrounding area communities are taking place to make sure that passenger rail returns to our community. Dubuque had passenger rail service for 130 years from the 1850’s until it was discontinued as recently as 1981. Passenger train service has a long history in the area beginning in the 1850’s when railroad fever took hold in Iowa. For the next 130 years, passengers could ride the train into and out of Dubuque for business and pleasure. Passenger rail is a critical part of Dubuque’s economic development, education, and tourism effort. With gas prices quite volatile and access to the community in high demand, passenger rail will fill a much-needed transportation venue and be beneficial to the business, educational and tourism that Dubuque and the area offers to both citizens and visitors.