The O’Hare Flyer is a privately funded rail project that aims to bring travelers from downtown Chicago to O’Hare Airport in just 15 minutes.

The proposal, announced on Aug. 25, would take advantage of underused, freight-owned rights of way to deliver a practical path toward a long-sought commuting experience. The O’Hare Flyer would run battery-powered trains between the airport’s Terminal 2 and a station near the Old Post Office proximate to a variety of multimodal “last-mile” connections such as Chicago Union Station.

Listen to learn more about this exciting new development from its leadership team.

[00:00] Intro — High Speed Rail Talk
[00:19] Welcome from Rick Harnish, High Speed Rail Alliance
[01:27] Introducing the O'Hare Flyer team and project background
[04:17] World-class partners and vendors
[05:11] Vision: a 15-minute, battery-electric airport express
[06:59] Private funding, no public subsidy
[07:41] Operating plan and schedule
[10:09] Train specs, range, and battery charging
[10:39] Route overview: CN, CSX, Union Pacific rights-of-way
[12:02] Downtown terminal at Canal Street
[13:10] End-to-end control and grade separation
[14:34] Track configuration and third rail details
[15:30] Route schematic and maintenance center
[16:18] Grade crossings and safety upgrades
[18:17] Crossing the airport taxiways
[19:03] Arrival at the airport terminal platform
[20:19] Connecting to Terminal 1, 3, 5 and the ATS
[21:07] Passenger experience and luggage handling
[22:26] Downtown station and connections to Union Station/Blue Line
[23:13] Engineering, environmental, and title research
[24:26] Community relations approach
[25:51] Possible Forest Park stop
[26:20] Grade separation details in River Forest
[28:00] Q&A begins
[28:11] CTA ridership overlap and market differences
[30:26] Speed and top speed details
[31:27] Why not terminate at Union Station
[32:56] Funding and comparison to Brightline (Florida)
[35:07] Fare pricing expectations
[36:01] ROI and investor questions
[36:16] CDA/CDOT/city cooperation
[37:41] Conversations with CTA and Metra
[38:10] Ridership market research
[40:07] Forest Park stop travel times
[40:30] Investors and backers confidentiality
[41:22] Addressing residential noise concerns
[42:48] Comparison to Toronto's Union-Pearson Express
[44:03] Closing thoughts and next steps
[45:16] Outro and credits

Originally recorded Sept. 4, 2026

For over three decades, Detroit’s famed Michigan Central Station stood derelict and abandoned after 75 years of passenger service.

But trains could return to the vicinity of the old station soon.

The Ford Motor Company purchased, renovated, and gave new life to Michigan Central Station, which opened in 2024 as a mixed-use building, part of the new Michigan Central Innovation District — which has partnered with the City of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation to develop a new multimodal transportation facility within the 30-acre campus.

High Speed Rail Alliance Executive Director Rick Harnish joins Beth Kmetz-Armitage and Sam Krassenstein, two leaders in the project, for a conversation about the proposed station, the potential for expanded Amtrak service in the region, and what this development means for the future of Detroit.

Beth Kmetz-Armitage is the director of commercial development at Michigan Central.

Sam Krassentein serves as both the chief of infrastructure and the Department of Public Works deputy director for the City of Detroit.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro — High Speed Rail Talk
00:19 Welcome from Rick Harnish, High Speed Rail Alliance
01:07 Meet the Guests
02:17 Overview of the Michigan Central Station Restoration
06:00 Vision for a New Multimodal Transit Hub
08:16 History of Rail Service & Restoration Goals
10:38 What Is Michigan Central? (Building vs. Entity)
13:55 Regional Ridership & Market Draw
16:37 Expanding Service to Ann Arbor and Beyond
19:04 The Threat to Intercity Bus Stations
21:08 Local Transit Access & Future Connections
22:17 Economic Development Around the Station
23:26 Design Plans for the New Transit Center
26:08 The Corktown & Southwest Neighborhoods
27:52 Why Michigan Central Is Investing in Transit
29:38 The Windsor–Toronto Rail Connection
32:23 Why Not Restore the Original Train Platforms?
39:21 Funding the Project
40:46 Basement Discoveries at the Historic Station
43:01 How the Public Can Help
45:51 Wolverine Service & Oakland County Questions
46:10 Planned Amenities
46:33 Closing Thoughts & Credits

Originally recorded Jan. 9, 2026