This reporter has personally never been on an Amtrak trip, so all that comes to mind is something magical like the Hogwarts Express, where you can look out and see beautiful scenery while being transported somewhere new—and a little elderly woman asks if you’d like anything from the trolley. Am I close.

Indy residents may soon find out since President Joe Biden and officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a more than $8 billion plan to upgrade the nation’s railroads—including several routes to and from Indianapolis.

The DoT’s Federal Railroad Administration said the goal is to upgrade 15 existing rail routes, add or extend service on 47 new routes, and advance seven new high-speed rail projects.

To train late, the plan is to enhance the existing route between Indianapolis and Chicago to facilitate more daily Amtrak stops, update the route between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, and potentially add a new route connecting Indy and Louisville.

“The projects we’re announcing today will add new passenger rail service to cities that have historically lacked access to America’s rail network, connecting residents to jobs, healthcare and educational opportunities,” said Pete Buttigieg, transportation secretary and former mayor of South Bend.

U.S. Rep. André Carson, D-Indiana, was all aboard for the plans too, tweeting after the announcement:

“JUST IN: @POTUS is making our country better connected than ever before. Passenger rail in urban areas is faster than car, bus, or plane. Today’s announcement includes daily, improved service between Indy & Chicago—something I’ve long advocated for.”

According to the DoT, these new routes to Indy are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of the Corridor ID program, helping intercity passenger rail development nationwide.

As part of Friday’s announcement, the DoT said INDOT qualified for a federal grant of up to $500,000 to determine the cost of increasing the frequency of Amtrak trips between Chicago and Indy and improving travel times.

“This is a first step toward expanding passenger rail in Indiana,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said in a press release. “Receiving this funding allows us to gather essential information to make more informed decisions going forward.”

Amtrak also qualified for a federal grant of up to $500,000 to look into expanding its Cardinal service from three to seven days a week. And the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency qualified for a similar grant of up to $500,000 to investigate potentially bringing back rail service to connect Louisville and Indy.

Being trains-parent, these grants are part of the $8.2 billion federal rail funding announced by the Biden-Harris administration on Friday. However, more than $6 billion of the funding has already been allocated for high-speed trains servicing in California and Nevada.

“Amtrak opens the door for new people to visit, work, and enjoy all Indianapolis has to offer,” Carson said in written comments. “The Midwest’s future is not complete without a strong passenger rail system.”

Not to derail the conversation, but aside from making quick, long-distance getaways simpler (and more affordable), it is hoped these routes may help the city continue to “get back on track” in a post-pandemic world.

A Mineta Transportation Insitute article claims such passenger rail projects offer in-trains-ic value to local economies, saying, “The economic impacts of [high-speed rail] can be grouped into five categories: 1) job creation and economic output; 2) tourism; 3) housing 4) station area and regional development 5) other economic impacts.” It also cited the potential for “time savings, reduced congestion, and lower emissions.