Culbertson, N.D., may be added to Amtrak's national network due in part to ongoing shale oil activity in the Bakken formation, according to the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP).
The stop would be served by Amtrak's long-distance Empire Builder, whose on-time performance has been hampered in recent weeks due in part to the substation increase in rail traffic generated by the oil shale activity. The Empire Builder travels over BNSF right-of-way through the region.
Culbertson lies between Williston, N.D., and Wolf Point, Mont., NARP said in its January 2014 NARP News.
"Culbertson is a prime location for an Amtrak stop that feeds the Bakken and makes it easier for workers to get to the region," said Culbertson Mayor Gordon Oelkers.