The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority could convene its first official meeting next month and when it does, half the counties along the old southern route will have a seat at the table.

Powell County on Wednesday became the latest to join the effort to bring passenger rail service back to the North Coast Hiawatha route that ran across the state’s southern tier until 1979.

That brings to 12 the number of counties that have passed a resolution to join the authority. State law requires just two.

By Martin Kidston