For those of you interested in reading the details, WisDOT has done a great job here organizing and outlining what needs to be done into various phases. As I understand it, the project is still waiting on Minnesota for it's share of funding most of the Wisconsin funding has been budgeted already.
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/multimodal/tcmc.aspx
A most recent article on project:
https://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/dot-looking-for-insight-on-second-train-going-through-columbus-dells-and-portage/article_ad568476-8f92-5fc5-8990-be9082a92ae0.html
How much is the Illinois state share and has IDOT budgeted anything?
charlie hebdo How much is the Illinois state share and has IDOT budgeted anything?
My recollection is that this train would be an extension of an existing CHI-MIL train, so no new IL service.
charlie hebdoHow much is the Illinois state share and has IDOT budgeted anything?
Nothing according to the brochure link. So my guess is as stated above they will reschedule an existing Hiawatha train and extend its route to the Twin Cities as stated above, by the time of implementation they are planning on having 8-10 RT (up from 7) on Chicago to Milwaukee corridor so it would be a new frequency on Chicago to Milwaukee but part of the Chicago-Milwaukee schedule already funded by Illinois.
So probably will use the new SIEMENS single level equipment as well but from the turnaround feature at Midway station in St. Paul being added it reads like a locomotive only at one end vs. both ends of the consist.
CMStPnP charlie hebdo How much is the Illinois state share and has IDOT budgeted anything? Nothing according to the brochure link. So my guess is as stated above they will reschedule an existing Hiawatha train and extend its route to the Twin Cities as stated above, by the time of implementation they are planning on having 8-10 RT (up from 7) on Chicago to Milwaukee corridor so it would be a new frequency on Chicago to Milwaukee but part of the Chicago-Milwaukee schedule already funded by Illinois. So probably will use the new SIEMENS single level equipment as well but from the turnaround feature at Midway station in St. Paul being added it reads like a locomotive only at one end vs. both ends of the consist.
Sounds good. A locomotive at one end, cab car at the other is the procedure in Europe for loose-consist, locomotive hauled trains.
charlie hebdoSounds good. A locomotive at one end, cab car at the other is the procedure in Europe for loose-consist, locomotive hauled trains.
So that is the mystery here, they have cab cars on order from Siemens, why do they need to spend money on a turning facility at the former Midway station? I wonder if they meant a crew based equipment cleaning in regards to turn around vs train turn around??? Maybe a misinterpretation on my part? Hope they included a cafe car in the future consist plan.
Any further word about a Pewaukee stop?
GrampAny further word about a Pewaukee stop?
Not mentioned anywhere in the official doco but heh...... I mentioned it to Mr. Rao in my comments to him on the project to review MnDOT's comments on a West Milwaukee stop in Pewaukee along with looking at a potential special event stop at Milwaukee Brewers Stadium for Cubs vs Brewers games, which seem to attract a lot of riders to the Hiawatha service currently. Why not extend the train to the Brewers Stadium on those days it is only a 3-4 mile extension of the Chicago to Milwaukee run. Not sure if he will take any action here but I mentioned it as well to Mayor Barret of Milwaukee in an Email and he seemed very supportive of the idea.
CMStPnP charlie hebdo Sounds good. A locomotive at one end, cab car at the other is the procedure in Europe for loose-consist, locomotive hauled trains. So that is the mystery here, they have cab cars on order from Siemens, why do they need to spend money on a turning facility at the former Midway station? I wonder if they meant a crew based equipment cleaning in regards to turn around vs train turn around??? Maybe a misinterpretation on my part? Hope they included a cafe car in the future consist plan.
charlie hebdo Sounds good. A locomotive at one end, cab car at the other is the procedure in Europe for loose-consist, locomotive hauled trains.
Could it be that there is a practical limit to push-pull distance. I know some corridor trains are turned. Ethan Allen is wyed at Rutland, and presumably looped at Sunnyside. The CHI-MSP run is over 400 miles, and will be turned in one direction one day, and the other direction the next day. Maybe that is less expensive than purchasing and maintaining cab cars and wiring.
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