grover5995Nice to see WI co-operating on expanded service in the Hiawatha Corridor. If more daily trips are planned, there will be a need for more equipment. Perhaps the 2 Talgo trainsets in storage at Beech Grove could be used on this route as originally planned. Upgrading tracks to 110mph between Rondout and Milwaukee Airport would be frosting on the cake. Eventual service from MILW to Madison for some trains could easily be added later.
The Talgo is no longer an option for the Midwest (Thankfully). They moved past it and the Midwestern states via their HSR compact have agreed on a Amtrak led equipment standard that is similar in design to the Pacific Surfliner cars of Southern California. I am not sure that increased frequencies of Chicago Milwaukee will result in new equipment or just more mileage being placed daily on the existing trainsets in use. I would guess they are going to use the existing trainsets for now and just turn them more frequently. The real question is who is going to pay for the improvements that Canadian Pacific has asked for. Thats going to run probably $15-25 million. Including a new platform for Mitchell Field Airport Station and over the tracks access to it.
CMStPnP This is in the news again and will be discussed in the Summer apparently. I thought it was discussed already and Wisconsin officials all dropped dead in shock when they saw the cost estimates from the Candian Pacific Railway. Apparently not though because Federal Taxpayer money is involved in part vs just State money. Chicago to Milwaukee will probably happen as it has a strong business support in the Milwaukee area to make it better. I predict at 10 frequencies the Chicago - Milwaukee service will either break even or turn a small profit. It is very close now. They probably also need to negotiate with Metra, to find a solution or compromise to get around Metra trains better.......instead of the stop and wait solution they use now. Here is a link to the article: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/03/28/study-to-consider-adding-more-round-trips-on.html
This is in the news again and will be discussed in the Summer apparently. I thought it was discussed already and Wisconsin officials all dropped dead in shock when they saw the cost estimates from the Candian Pacific Railway. Apparently not though because Federal Taxpayer money is involved in part vs just State money.
Chicago to Milwaukee will probably happen as it has a strong business support in the Milwaukee area to make it better. I predict at 10 frequencies the Chicago - Milwaukee service will either break even or turn a small profit. It is very close now. They probably also need to negotiate with Metra, to find a solution or compromise to get around Metra trains better.......instead of the stop and wait solution they use now.
Here is a link to the article:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/03/28/study-to-consider-adding-more-round-trips-on.html
Nice to see WI co-operating on expanded service in the Hiawatha Corridor. If more daily trips are planned, there will be a need for more equipment. Perhaps the 2 Talgo trainsets in storage at Beech Grove could be used on this route as originally planned. Upgrading tracks to 110mph between Rondout and Milwaukee Airport would be frosting on the cake. Eventual service from MILW to Madison for some trains could easily be added later.
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