http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-plan-for-amtrak-service-from-chicago-to-rockford-on-hold-20150209-story.html
Likely the planned Blackhawk service is dead.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
$223 milion is a lot of money for that short of distance and one train, IMO.
They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois.
Makes me wonder about Chicago-Quad Cities.
CMStPnPThey should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois.
The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities.
schlimm CMStPnP They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois. The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities.
CMStPnP They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois.
so far we don't know that Rauner is anti rail. It was never a specific issue in the campaign. What has happened is that Rauner has put a hold on capital spending by all state agencies. That happens to include rail projects as well as highway.
schlimmThe current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities.
I was talking about the Chicago to Madison routing via Milwaukee Road track via Fox Lake / Metra?
Are you sure it's dead? Because if I didn't know any better I would think Ed Ellis is trying to restart it all out of his own pocket......
https://www.travelpullman.com/varsity.html
"The Varsity" was the name of the former Milwaukee Road train.
Metra made some bad decisions rail system wise as well, among them was to abandon the Lake Geneva, WI stop on the former C&NW NW line and pull back to Harvard, IL. Lake Geneva, WI is and always be a nice escapist destination for Chicago residents, who continue to travel there by car in droves. Really have no clue why Metra did not continue to serve that stop as it has Kenosha, WI after they took over from the C&NW. Decision seems shortsighted to me.
CMStPnP schlimm The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities. I was talking about the Chicago to Madison routing via Milwaukee Road track via Fox Lake / Metra? Are you sure it's dead? Because if I didn't know any better I would think Ed Ellis is trying to restart it all out of his own pocket...... https://www.travelpullman.com/varsity.html "The Varsity" was the name of the former Milwaukee Road train. Metra made some bad decisions rail system wise as well, among them was to abandon the Lake Geneva, WI stop on the former C&NW NW line and pull back to Harvard, IL. Lake Geneva, WI is and always be a nice escapist destination for Chicago residents, who continue to travel there by car in droves. Really have no clue why Metra did not continue to serve that stop as it has Kenosha, WI after they took over from the C&NW. Decision seems shortsighted to me.
schlimm The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities.
Got some pretty mixed up stuff here!
Chicago Madison is currently dead as a state supported operation, not sure it was ever in that category. Good luck to Ed if he wants to make a go of it, but at this point not even on the radar screen of either state's DOT (and don't do "it should be", their planners study the numbers and the benefits and don't see it).
Service is based on the choice of a large city that llinois is looking to support with rail service ( what a concept ) so Rockford is the choice.
Lake Geneva was cut back to Mc Henery, Harverd is on a different route. Before METRA, CNW had let the track deteriorate to almost Class 1 condition, and that traffic you speak of was weekend summer only, not daily commuter, so if I was METRA and had one more $ to invest it wouldn't be there. (FYI my cousin's wife was mayor of Lake Geneva so I know a bit about this).
Kenosha survives as it is the next storage yard north of Wakeegan for trains operating that far north, not because of any desire on METRA's part to serve WI. If they're going there we'll carry paying passengers!
Good analysis
One comment about the Lake Geneva branch prior to the RTA, weekday service was provided but it was a minimal rush-hour only operation. Service was first cut back to Richmond and later to McHenry.
Today, as when it was C&NW Wisconsin Division, the UP-North line splits at Crystal Lake. Some train go on to McHenry, some to Harvard, but most terminate in Crystal Lake.
H-h-h-h-m-m-m-m.....
http://www.isthmus.com/daily/article.php?article=43025
schlimm Today, as when it was C&NW Wisconsin Division, the UP-North line splits at Crystal Lake. Some train go on to McHenry, some to Harvard, but most terminate in Crystal Lake.
I think you meant the UP Northwest Line...
billio schlimm Today, as when it was C&NW Wisconsin Division, the UP-North line splits at Crystal Lake. Some train go on to McHenry, some to Harvard, but most terminate in Crystal Lake. I think you meant the UP Northwest Line...
Yes. Quite correct. CNW Galena Div = UP West; CNW Milwaukee Div. = UP North
Buslist schlimm CMStPnP They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois. The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities. so far we don't know that Rauner is anti rail. It was never a specific issue in the campaign. What has happened is that Rauner has put a hold on capital spending by all state agencies. That happens to include rail projects as well as highway.
schlimm Buslist schlimm CMStPnP They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois. The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities. so far we don't know that Rauner is anti rail. It was never a specific issue in the campaign. What has happened is that Rauner has put a hold on capital spending by all state agencies. That happens to include rail projects as well as highway. Seems pretty anti-rail to any fair observer, as now he has gone beyond freezing capital spending, but also cutting operations: [from MHSRA] "Governor Rauner just announced major reductions in funding for Amtrak and Metra, including a nearly 40% cut for state-supported Amtrak operations. Other transit cuts include PACE and CTA."
Seems he's not anti rail, but anti public transit, as funds to Pace (suburban Chicago bus system) are being cut as well. Somehow downstate transit systems have escaped cuts.
Unfortunately, it looks like the argument over routes to Rockford is not over and while that might not have played a role here. The pro-rail group in the article below is advocating to the Illinois Governor placing the Rockford Amtrak service on hold pending more research on the proposed route.
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/02/12/genoa-leaders-continue-to-push-for-amtrak-route-through-town/a3wg8wg/?page=1
Governor Rauner may have been a successful stock trader (he ran an investment firm) but he is a political neophyte. He has yet to learn that the General Assembly isn't going to roll over and approve his requests because he said so. It will be an interesting session this year.
Buslist schlimm Buslist schlimm CMStPnP They should go with Chicago to Madison instead. I would think that would be a lot cheaper to rehab, probably higher ridership, plus Wisconsin might split the tab with Illinois. The current ocupant in Madison already killed that project. However, the train to Rockford could be extended to Madison. But with anti-rail types like Walker and Rauner, nothing will happen, including Quad Cities. so far we don't know that Rauner is anti rail. It was never a specific issue in the campaign. What has happened is that Rauner has put a hold on capital spending by all state agencies. That happens to include rail projects as well as highway. Seems pretty anti-rail to any fair observer, as now he has gone beyond freezing capital spending, but also cutting operations: [from MHSRA] "Governor Rauner just announced major reductions in funding for Amtrak and Metra, including a nearly 40% cut for state-supported Amtrak operations. Other transit cuts include PACE and CTA." Seems he's not anti rail, but anti public transit, as funds to Pace (suburban Chicago bus system) are being cut as well. Somehow downstate transit systems have escaped cuts.
Like Walker, a tool of the highwy lobby. And cutting funding for Amtrak services seems mighty anti-rail to me. Just not anti-freight rail, because those are corporations.
schlimm And cutting funding for Amtrak services seems mighty anti-rail to me. Just not anti-freight rail, because those are corporations.
Schlimm,
What are you trying to say here?
Mac
Just as it says. If state-supported funding for Amtrak is cut, services will be reduced, probably. If that happens, that is clearly anti-passenger rail.
He has to cut somewhere and welfare for the rich seems a reasonble place to cut. What is the point of your original last sentance?
PNWRMNM He has to cut somewhere and welfare for the rich seems a reasonble place to cut. What is the point of your original last sentance? Mac
"Just not anti-freight rail, because those are corporations."
Ok my point is this. Rauner wants to cut funding for passenger rail, both commuter and state-supported short corridor services. That is obviously anti-passneger rail, which previously received bipartisan support for many years. He is not anti-freight rail, because those railroads are private corporations not receiving state aid for operations, although the UP has benefited from the capital infrastructure improvements on the CHI-STL route and all lines through Chicago will benefit from the major project to reduce bottlenecks. That money is federal. Actually, I do not understand your point at all. Never said anything about "welfare for the rich." The infrastructure improvements have benefits far beyond the individual rails, such as society.
Schlimm: What would be the point of Rauner being "anti-freight rail" even if he wanted to be? Freight rail is out of his reach, not in the state budget.
schlimmLike Walker, a tool of the highwy lobby. And cutting funding for Amtrak services seems mighty anti-rail to me. Just not anti-freight rail, because those are corporations.
I would not necessarily agree with this. The Amtrak depot in Milwaukee continues to see investment by WisDOT as does the line between Chicago and Milwaukee and I am willing to bet that Walker approves an increase in train frequency on the Chicago to Milwaukee line at some point in the near future.
The difference is, the Milwaukee business community supports improvement in Chicago to Milwaukee service and the Governor knows this. Illinois didn't necessarily build political support for a lot of those rail services before implementing them...........again going back to the Chicago to Rockford line. $223 million could buy 5-10 lear jets and the remaining money could be spent flying people for free between Chicago and Rockford.
Chicago to Rockford might have much cheaper all rail alternatives.
It might take 3-4 railfans to attend a business meeting in Chicago of Rotary and/or the Chamber of Commerce to start to build support for Chicago to Rockford service that the Governor would definitely hear of.
Before they did that I would look at bringing the cost down or attempting a incremental plan because I have to tell ya $223 million for that short of distance....well, if you talked with the business community, they will tell you to your face. So if it was me I would look for a lower price alternative or a phased in approach. How about Metra very limited stops express service to the end of the line and then bus from there to Rockford and perhaps a bus from there to Madison, maybe a weekend bus to Lake Geneva?
Illinois finances are and have been a mess for some time. That did not stop politicians from promising and borrowing for more, including passenger rail. Illinois is hitting the bumper post of deficit spending.
Iowa's finances are in far better shape. Iowa did not get onboard to run Illinois proposed Quad Cities passenger service west to the University of Iowa (Iowa City) and beyond. Will passenger rail to Moline be dropped?
Iowa critics who opposed paying for passenger rail west of Moline will point to Illinois problem in any future rail passenger subsidy debates.
CMStPnP It might take 3-4 railfans to attend a business meeting in Chicago of Rotary and/or the Chamber of Commerce to start to build support for Chicago to Rockford service that the Governor would definitely hear of. Before they did that I would look at bringing the cost down or attempting a incremental plan because I have to tell ya $223 million for that short of distance....well, if you talked with the business community, they will tell you to your face. So if it was me I would look for a lower price alternative or a phased in approach. How about Metra very limited stops express service to the end of the line and then bus from there to Rockford and perhaps a bus from there to Madison, maybe a weekend bus to Lake Geneva?
Part of the problem with the Blackhawk was the lack of cooperation by the IC/CN. That was the original route, already in good shape, but it was to get more improvements. But once the IC traffic increased, they stalled so that the route had to be shifted to a lightly-used (especially beyond Belvidere) UP route which needs work. And it ends in Rockford, rather than going to Galena.
There are already fast van Galder express buses multiple times per day from Rockford and Madison to O'Hare and the Loop.
schlimm There are already fast van Galder express buses multiple times per day from Rockford and Madison to O'Hare and the Loop.
Which are an issue when traffic is heavy. I think the express Metra rail to Bus alternative would definitely beat them time wise during rush periods.
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