The route
Texas Central proposed an approximately 240-mile high-speed rail line connecting Dallas and Houston. Source: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), updated August 18, 2021.
The developer's plan lists three passenger stations: Dallas's Cedars neighborhood, south of downtown; the Roans Prairie area of Grimes County in the Brazos Valley; and northwest Houston. Source: Texas Central's project FAQ, accessed October 12, 2026.
The technology
Texas Central's planned trainset is an international version of Japan's Shinkansen N700S. Source: Texas Central, July 2, 2018.
The FRA-reviewed design uses dedicated tracks, separate from existing rail lines, with no road crossings at track level. Source: FRA, updated August 18, 2021.
History
- December 2012: Texas Central Railroad & Infrastructure was formed under the name TXHS Railroad. Source: Supreme Court of Texas opinion, June 24, 2022, page 3.
- May 29, 2020: FRA released the final environmental impact statement. Source: FRA, updated August 18, 2021.
- September 10, 2020: FRA issued the project's safety rule and Record of Decision completing its environmental review. Source: FRA, updated August 18, 2021.
- June 24, 2022: The Supreme Court of Texas held that the Texas Central entities have eminent-domain authority as interurban electric railway companies. Source: Supreme Court of Texas opinion, June 24, 2022, pages 2–3.
- August 9, 2023: Amtrak and Texas Central announced they were evaluating a potential partnership to study and advance the proposal. Source: Amtrak, August 9, 2023.
Where it stands now
On April 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that FRA and Amtrak had agreed to terminate the $63.9 million planning grant for the corridor. Source: U.S. DOT, April 14, 2025.
As of October 12, 2026, the latest reporting reviewed for this page describes a railway still unbuilt, with funding unresolved and no clear opening timeline, reported by KPRC Click2Houston, September 19, 2026, updated October 6, 2026.
Why it matters
Amtrak's 2023 proposal described a planned Dallas–Houston journey of less than 90 minutes. Source: Amtrak, August 9, 2023.
We want Texans to have that kind of choice. Our case for high-speed rail starts with giving people another way to travel. For this proposal, we should ask for a workable funding plan and fair treatment of the communities along the route.
Sources last checked October 12, 2026.