An effort to restore regular passenger rail service through southern Montana is gaining steam, but proponents near and far believe its success will depend on Congress creating a multi-state commission to get trains rolling again.

While support is growing for the train’s return in Montana, success will depend on getting neighboring states onboard, like North Dakota and Idaho. Strohmaier is hoping that Congress will create a multi-state railroad commission modeled after one on the Gulf Coast that has been advocating for expanded passenger rail service in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Southern Rail Commission was created by an act of Congress in 1982 and is the only such group of its type in the country.