Friends and I rode the Hiawatha from Chi to Milw and return in Nov. on the way to Trainfest. Noted they had 16 trains a day, 8 each way and the conductor said they could use more trains at rush hour as it can be standing room only. Glad to hear this as Amtrak is doing something right on this line.
Here's a link to the newly renamed Great River Rail Commission in Minnesota, which had been the High Speed Rail Commission:
http://www.greatriverrail.org/index.php
BTW, the road on the left side of picture at the top of their website is the road I take to and from work every day.
JON P BOWERMASTERPlease get this political crap out of here!
Rail has been political since the day the B&O founded itself and wanted to build a railroad. It is no less political today.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Kevin C. SmithAfaik, the extension was to be via Watertown to Madison, and then back up to Portage. The first phase (that was to be funded in 2009) was to extend Hiawatha service to Madison. The Madison-Portage shift for the Empire Builder (and other, additional, trains) would come later.
Yeah Governor Doyle went off the reservation so to speak with what was planned originially. I believe it was just an upgrade of the Empire Builder route to high speed.
If you look at the current MWHSR rail route via Wisconsin it is kind of jacked up now and someone really needs to move it back to reality. I can see the logic of HSR from Madison to Chicago but thats where the logic ends. They have HSR direct from Milwaukee in a straight line to Madison, I think using a former C&NW right of way that parallels I-94 through Waukesha and Wales and bypassing Watertown completely. Then they have local rail service between Milwaukee, Watertown and Madison, then they have the bypass but only with local rail service, then they also have Madison to Portage HSR. Horse designed by committee now and in my view they need to fix it back to the simplified version.
No way is the public going to pay for the current plan.
charlie hebdo1. It's been almost 40 years since those routes were used. 2. The former CB&Q route was single track Aurora to Savannah, double track from there to TC. Still is. But it was always a "fast track" with very good times, Chicago to the TC. It is heavily trafficked with freight now, so BNSF might not want to deal with restoring a passenger service. At its fastest, it made the run, CUS to St. Paul in five and one half hours, at the end in seven hours. The Afternoon Hi on the MILW managed 6:15, slower at the end. 3. What kind of shape is the ex-MILW 140 mile route (50 miles CUS to Fox Lake on Metra 79 mph track, 90 miles onward via Janesville to Madison? Even in its last 4 years, the MILW Varsity only ran on weekends and holidays, on a 2:55 hr. schedule, with very low ridership. Iowa Pacific ran a special Varsity in 2014 for several football weekends. Running time was over four hours.
Response to 1 - I know that and probably why Minnesota discounted it.
Reponse to 2 - See response above. The faster CB&Q run time is news to me but still you have another problem with the CB&Q routing which is a larger financial participation by Illinois and still would need Wisconsin or else MN and IL split it. I don't think Wisconsin would pay for that routing. It is still problematic as an alternative.
Response to 3 - I was referring to the high speed days not to the few years before Amtrak. Have no clue what it would take to upgrade the 90 miles between Fox Lake and Madison......but Watertown to Madison, looking on Youtube today best you can hope for is 10-15 mph right now.
The Varsity was daily until the mail contract was lost in 1967 and I think in 1965 it had a cafe car, before that it carried a Super Dome until they were sold to Canada from the former Olympian Hiawatha before that they had a parlor car. The via Watertown service I believe was always just coaches. 1955 timetable = 2 daily train between Chicago and Madison via Milwaukee (1 was a milk run or precursor to the Cannonball Commutter train which was later cut back to Watertown to Milwaukee) but two daily fast trains each way Chicago to Madison direct (2 hr 50 min for fastest Chicago to Madison train vs 3 hr 30 min fastest Chicago, Milwaukee to Madison train). So I still think Chicago to Madison direct is the winner in ridership vs via Milwaukee.
Timetable:
http://streamlinermemories.info/Milw/Milw55TT.pdf
The Varsity:
https://milwaukeeroadarchives.com/Passenger/1975%20Rail%20Classics%20March%20The%20Noon%20Milwaukee%20William%20Middleton.pdf
Essentially on the Chicago to Madison direct line you pretty much have at least another Milwaukee in population and then some with one or two intermediate stops. Probably the reason Milwaukee Road saw fit to avoid Madison with the high speed Chicago to Twin Cities line. They bypassed Madison twice not just once. Remember the Milwaukee to Portage section was initially farther north than it is now before they merged with the Milwaukee and LaCrosse or whatever it was called West of Brookfield.
CMStPnPI don't think the ex-CB&Q route has the space and if I remember correctly is forced at several places into very sharp curves and even down to one track in places due to the river, bluffs, and property ownership. I favor the Milwaukee Road solution which was in place long before Wisconsin wanted HSR. Milwaukee Road knew passengers on a direct Madison to Chicago alignment using it's METRA North Line would be faster than via Milwaukee and would attract more ridership
I favor the Milwaukee Road solution which was in place long before Wisconsin wanted HSR. Milwaukee Road knew passengers on a direct Madison to Chicago alignment using it's METRA North Line would be faster than via Milwaukee and would attract more ridership
1. It's been almost 40 years since those routes were used.
2. The former CB&Q route was single track Aurora to Savannah, double track from there to TC. Still is. But it was always a "fast track" with very good times, Chicago to the TC. It is heavily trafficked with freight now, so BNSF might not want to deal with restoring a passenger service. At its fastest, it made the run, CUS to St. Paul in five and one half hours, at the end in seven hours. The Afternoon Hi on the MILW managed 6:15, slower at the end.
3. What kind of shape is the ex-MILW 140 mile route (50 miles CUS to Fox Lake on Metra 79 mph track, 90 miles onward via Janesville to Madison? Even in its last 4 years, the MILW Varsity only ran on weekends and holidays, on a 2:55 hr. schedule, with very low ridership. Iowa Pacific ran a special Varsity in 2014 for several football weekends. Running time was over four hours.
Kevin C. Smiththe best place for through trains (on the way to MSP/STP) is by out by the airport; the best place for originating/terminating trains is downtown.
Agree that is a big issue and also that Minnesota's vote has to be considered as well if the Wisconsin goal is a destination of MSP/STP and Wisconsin wants funding from Minnesota.
Someone stated earlier that Minnesota could use the current BNSF (ex-CB&Q) alignment. Minnesota already stated it is either via Wisconsin or no HSR route to Chicago.
Additionally, I don't think the ex-CB&Q route has the space and if I remember correctly is forced at several places into very sharp curves and even down to one track in places due to the river, bluffs, and property ownership.
I favor the Milwaukee Road solution which was in place long before Wisconsin wanted HSR. Milwaukee Road knew passengers on a direct Madison to Chicago alignment using it's METRA North Line would be faster than via Milwaukee and would attract more ridership (and Milwaukee was correct as they offered both alternatives Madison via Milwaukee and Madison direct to Chicago......the 2nd had more ridership). So bypass Madison perhaps build a small connector from the Twin Cities HSR line into Madison. Build Madison to Chicago as well. Interestingly, CP when it took over the Milwaukee did similar abandoned all lines into Madison except for a branch (Portage to Madison). Still serves Madison but minus all the real estate and trackage Milwaukee used.
CMStPnP Just an update, not sure if you saw the Trains Newswire article on FRA funding. Wisconsin did get FRA funds to fix the Mitchel field Airport Depot and will finally get a Western Boarding platform with pedestrian bridge over the tracks to reach it. This was one of CP's preconditions that had to be fixed before they could bump up to 10 RT a day between Milwaukee and Chicago. Minnesota is pushing the second train frequency between Chicago and St. Paul more than WisDOT but WisDOT is onboard with any jointly funded improvements to the line so they are currently supportive of the project. I think the Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison line would have been a boondoggle under Doyle and still feel that way. They need more time to think about that, in my view. One area that really concerned me about the project was the arguing back and forth where to put the Madison Depot. I think it should be downtown with perhaps a stop at the airport as well like they do in Milwaukee. I don't think it should be either / or.............which is what they were arguing over. The other problem is the designated high speed line across Wisconsin is through Columbus NOT through Madison. If they wanted to change that they should have amended the plan with the larger Midwest HSR compact. It throws Minnesota for a loop if Wisconsin can't stick to what was argreed on for a rail route and keeps changing the route based on political winds in Madison.
Minnesota is pushing the second train frequency between Chicago and St. Paul more than WisDOT but WisDOT is onboard with any jointly funded improvements to the line so they are currently supportive of the project.
I think the Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison line would have been a boondoggle under Doyle and still feel that way. They need more time to think about that, in my view. One area that really concerned me about the project was the arguing back and forth where to put the Madison Depot. I think it should be downtown with perhaps a stop at the airport as well like they do in Milwaukee. I don't think it should be either / or.............which is what they were arguing over. The other problem is the designated high speed line across Wisconsin is through Columbus NOT through Madison. If they wanted to change that they should have amended the plan with the larger Midwest HSR compact. It throws Minnesota for a loop if Wisconsin can't stick to what was argreed on for a rail route and keeps changing the route based on political winds in Madison.
ccc As far as I know, the state of washington hasn't purchased either of the Talgo sets that Wisconsin ordered, though that was rumored to be in the works for some time now. If this is incorrect, please provide a source, so that we can all learn more of the situation.
As far as I know, the state of washington hasn't purchased either of the Talgo sets that Wisconsin ordered, though that was rumored to be in the works for some time now. If this is incorrect, please provide a source, so that we can all learn more of the situation.
It might still be a work in progress. Last I heard they were waiting on a waiver from the FRA then if you look at other railfan boards which I cannot link to they were sent West then there was confusion over what was sent West a repaired WA State trainset or the Wisconsin trainsets. They could still be at Beech Grove.
Amtrak has to get an exceptions to FRA regulations it looks like but I did not read the whole letter in it's entirety. Read the linked docket below.....FRA-2018-005
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-02-01/pdf/2018-01959.pdf
Last time I saw them, Amtrak had them in Beechgrove.
bill613atwo Wisconsin Talgos
They shipped the Talgos somewhere out of state because the Talgo company which promised to leave, hung around longer in the former Tower Automotive complex for another contract they won for subway cars from LA or somewhere, they needed the rail siding which the Talgos were sitting on and nobody wanted to pay storage costs so they worked out a deal to ship them somewhere else out of state. Not sure who has them. One was sold to Wash state to replace the recent crash victim. The one remaining I think they shipped to Indiana or some place.
An OTB suggestion. Use the two Wisconsin Talgos and run them Fargo to Chicago departing each end point in the mid morning.
CMStPnP charlie hebdo When local papers (Portage) start to give publicity, maybe something will happen? https://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/railroad-boosters-seek-additional-amtrak-passenger-service-through-region/article_35eb5bd5-be09-5d99-bbfd-6bc88d68aa07.html?fbclid=IwAR3GY7f4RpPJrCRYM936F6QjvHU7x2P95YjR36wGPxve7FNOSOBCvdDUe9w I am really surprised at the turn about in Wisconsin especially the DOT towards Amtrak. I think credit really goes to the former Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee John Norquist. The current Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee is also an Amtrak promoter. But I have to say I am surprised how fast they are moving on the Hiawatha service, they have already landed a Federal Grant to enhance the Airport Station stop to specs that CP Railway wanted before they agreed to an increase in Amtrak train frequency. Can't believe they landed the money so quick. On the second frequency to MN also surprised at the grass roots support for it which seems to be growing. When I lived in the state you couldn't convince anyone that increased passenger train frequencies would help vs hurt the state and it's Economic development. Though one item bothers me, I went home for Christmas and it seemed everyone was ripping apart the downtown Milwaukee trolley as a boondoggle bacause some right wing radio personality cut into it (Charlie Sykes). Never liked Sykes and I think he is about as bright as Sean Hannity which isn't saying much. Anyways, all my cousins and some of siblings were telling me how the trolley would get stuck in the snow, how it was a waste of money, nobody would use ,it Blah, blah, blah. Luckily for me I am in charge of the Family Reunion this year and can use that as a platform to brainwash everyone back to support rail transit (ha-ha). Seriously though I had to point out the trolley goes way back to Mayer Maier who was against the downtown freeway splitting the city North-South and wanted towards the end of his term some sort of light rail. Then Norquist pushed it hard but ran into stiff opposition. The current mayor rammed it through on a spending bill while nobody seemed to be paying attention. Thank goodness he did otherwise Milwaukee would still be talking about weather to do a trolley or not.
charlie hebdo When local papers (Portage) start to give publicity, maybe something will happen? https://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/railroad-boosters-seek-additional-amtrak-passenger-service-through-region/article_35eb5bd5-be09-5d99-bbfd-6bc88d68aa07.html?fbclid=IwAR3GY7f4RpPJrCRYM936F6QjvHU7x2P95YjR36wGPxve7FNOSOBCvdDUe9w
When local papers (Portage) start to give publicity, maybe something will happen?
https://www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/railroad-boosters-seek-additional-amtrak-passenger-service-through-region/article_35eb5bd5-be09-5d99-bbfd-6bc88d68aa07.html?fbclid=IwAR3GY7f4RpPJrCRYM936F6QjvHU7x2P95YjR36wGPxve7FNOSOBCvdDUe9w
I am really surprised at the turn about in Wisconsin especially the DOT towards Amtrak. I think credit really goes to the former Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee John Norquist. The current Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee is also an Amtrak promoter. But I have to say I am surprised how fast they are moving on the Hiawatha service, they have already landed a Federal Grant to enhance the Airport Station stop to specs that CP Railway wanted before they agreed to an increase in Amtrak train frequency. Can't believe they landed the money so quick.
On the second frequency to MN also surprised at the grass roots support for it which seems to be growing. When I lived in the state you couldn't convince anyone that increased passenger train frequencies would help vs hurt the state and it's Economic development.
Though one item bothers me, I went home for Christmas and it seemed everyone was ripping apart the downtown Milwaukee trolley as a boondoggle bacause some right wing radio personality cut into it (Charlie Sykes). Never liked Sykes and I think he is about as bright as Sean Hannity which isn't saying much. Anyways, all my cousins and some of siblings were telling me how the trolley would get stuck in the snow, how it was a waste of money, nobody would use ,it Blah, blah, blah. Luckily for me I am in charge of the Family Reunion this year and can use that as a platform to brainwash everyone back to support rail transit (ha-ha).
Seriously though I had to point out the trolley goes way back to Mayer Maier who was against the downtown freeway splitting the city North-South and wanted towards the end of his term some sort of light rail. Then Norquist pushed it hard but ran into stiff opposition. The current mayor rammed it through on a spending bill while nobody seemed to be paying attention. Thank goodness he did otherwise Milwaukee would still be talking about weather to do a trolley or not.
The 'Anti's' on any big infrastructure item generally have the upper hand - in that the item is generally big enough that it won't be completed 'overnight', the item is generally localized enough that the 'I won't be able to use it' argument can be played and then the NIMBY and BANANA's get involved.
If the NIMBY's and BANANA's had carried the day - mankind would still be cave bound. It is rare enough that there is political foresight to see forthcoming needs and then be able to turn that into actions and results - without it, however, the world would be nowhere. The general population, in their payday to payday world generally can't raise their sights high enough to contemplate the future.
zardoz What do you want from a state where the legislature is so clueless. From the AP: Republicans who control the Wisconsin Senate refused to mention NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a resolution honoring Black History Month passed Wednesday, rejecting calls from Democrats who said ignoring the Milwaukee native put them on the wrong side of history. https://thetandd.com/sports/football/professional/article_daf0289e-c682-54e0-bf96-df1e13d6902f.html It is even more of a insult in that Kaepernick is from Fond du Lac, WI.
What do you want from a state where the legislature is so clueless. From the AP:
Republicans who control the Wisconsin Senate refused to mention NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a resolution honoring Black History Month passed Wednesday, rejecting calls from Democrats who said ignoring the Milwaukee native put them on the wrong side of history.
https://thetandd.com/sports/football/professional/article_daf0289e-c682-54e0-bf96-df1e13d6902f.html
It is even more of a insult in that Kaepernick is from Fond du Lac, WI.
Nah, they did the right thing by ignoring him.
He hasn't really accomplished anything other than playing for the NFL........is that something notable? Also, personal risk defines courage. What was the personal risk of his protest? He wasn't really risking his career which was on the downside at the time of his protests. It wasn't anything near a risky move, in my view.
Of course the Democrats are going to use the race card at every opportunity. However, they are not even enforcing affirmative action anymore. The CREATE project in Chicago was partially intended on being a type of apprenticeship to train the folks in the same neighborhoods the projects were executed in. Did that even happen? See any press releases to that effect? Less than 100 miles away from Milwaukee and you can see the hypocrisy of those that throw stones in a glass house.
Kevin C. SmithIt left a much better taste within the state. We just have to finish spitting out the rest. It is sadly too late to get MKE-MAD service on such good terms as offered before, but hopefully, the process can begin again. With any luck, we can get some action going on the 2nd CHI-MSP train, and-ideally-KRM expansion, too. Western Wisconsin has been looking at expanded service to the Twin Cities, and Milwaukke-Green Bay has been missing from Amtrak for WAY too long. A lot of projects to keep working on but we gain nothing by delays.
Just an update, not sure if you saw the Trains Newswire article on FRA funding. Wisconsin did get FRA funds to fix the Mitchel field Airport Depot and will finally get a Western Boarding platform with pedestrian bridge over the tracks to reach it. This was one of CP's preconditions that had to be fixed before they could bump up to 10 RT a day between Milwaukee and Chicago.
Right now they are waiting on the outcome of the METRA, IDOT and Glenview, IL discussions on how they are going to handle the need that CP asked for there of an additional holding track on the UP Line. Should have that answer by Summer I expect. Once that hurdle is cleared it's just a matter of getting the funds to complete.
BaltACDOutsider looking in - Wisconsin state politics has left a sour taste with the rest of the country after the mid-terms.
CSSHEGEWISCHThe current political atmosphere in Wisconsin is not conducive to supporting a second CHI-MSP round trip to complement the "Empire Builder". Also, the infighting that pretty much killed off a Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison train left a sour taste with a lot of people about so-called HSR projects.
Apparently WisDOT didn't get the memo....
Here is a draft of the WisDOT funding request to the FRA and it is dated SFY2019. It is quoted verbatium below:
"For informational purposes, only
Intercity Passenger Rail Projects
Several Federal Railroad Administration Program funded projects have been identified in studies of two existing intercity passenger rail corridors, and are eligible for federal funding for final design and construction.
In addition, WisDOT has submitted federal discretionary grant applications under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) and Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) programs in SFY 2018 and SFY 2019 for three passenger rail projects that, if awarded, could begin in SFY 2019.
Studies with projects identified:
1) Adding one to three additional daily round-trip frequencies between Milwaukee and Chicago on the Hiawatha Service in cooperation with the State of Illinois. The project would involve final design (SFY 2019 – 2021) and construction (SFY 2020 – 2022), pending completion of the Environmental Assessment and Service Development Plan (completion SFY 2019).
a) Projects in Wisconsin identified in the Environmental Assessment and Service Development Plan to accommodate the additional round-trip frequencies (capital costs provided are rounded preliminary estimates):
i) Muskego Yard signalization and track/bridge improvements (Milwaukee):
$24 million - $60 million
ii) Milwaukee Airport Rail Station second platform with overhead access (Milwaukee): $10.1 million
iii) CTC signalization between Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Cutoff (Milwaukee): $5.4 million
2) Adding one new state-supported intercity passenger rail frequency between Chicago and the Twin Cities on the Amtrak Empire Builder corridor. This is a Minnesota-led effort to complete a required NEPA study, which includes a environmental clearance and preliminary engineering, in SFY2019.
a) Based on the results of the NEPA study, the next steps could be Final Design (SFY 2020) and construction (SFY 2021 – 2022) of infrastructure improvements identified in the NEPA study. Infrastructure improvements in Wisconsin include:
i) Rebuild Second CP Rail Main Track to the west and east of the La Crosse Amtrak Depot and extend La Crosse CP Rail Yard Lead West
ii) Extend existing 15,000 foot CP Rail siding at Medary, WI approximately 13,000 feet. Install universal crossover at existing Medary East
iii) Install universal crossover on existing CP Rail double track section west of Columbus Station
2019 – 2022 Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program 6 – 3
Final Design and Construction Projects:
At the time of publication of the STIP, there were several grant applications submitted by WisDOT to the U.S. Department of Transportation for final design and construction of passenger rail improvements. If awarded, these would be obligated in SFY2019. The applications were for the following three projects.
1) Milwaukee Airport Rail Station second platform with overhead access (Milwaukee):
$10.1 million
2) CTC signalization between Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Cutoff (Milwaukee):
$5.4 million
3) Acquisition of three cab-coach cars and six coach cars for the Amtrak Hiawatha Service:
$38.9 million
Potential additional federal grant applications to be submitted in SFY2019, with obligation in SFY2019 or SFY2020:
1) Muskego Yard signalization and track/bridge improvements (Milwaukee):
$60 million
Federal funding sources include, but are not limited to, the following grant programs:
• Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)
• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI)
• Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD)
• Federal-States Partnership for State of Good Repair"
Outsider looking in - Wisconsin state politics has left a sour taste with the rest of the country after the mid-terms.
The current political atmosphere in Wisconsin is not conducive to supporting a second CHI-MSP round trip to complement the "Empire Builder". Also, the infighting that pretty much killed off a Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison train left a sour taste with a lot of people about so-called HSR projects.
So I read somewhere that Minnesota is officially tabling the High Speed Rail proposal to Chicago and put the blame on Wisconsin. They further stated that there is no other viable route other than through Wisconsin. The good news is they seem to want to keep pushing on a secondary RT that departs St. Paul and Chicago in the morning for each respective city arriving in the afternoon. Allegedly they are still in talks with Wisconsin over funding that train which is currently pegged at approx $160-200 million in startup costs (most will come from Feds they say). If the discussions bear fruit and they can get their assessment on costs, improvements and funding approved between the states they want the service to start in 2022.
I think I read on the ILDOT website or some Illinois sponsored site on Amtrak. METRA and ILDOT are looking at costs for a third track siding between Glenview and Northbrook, IL to support expanded Chicago to Milwaukee trains. Meanwhile Glenview has paid $400,000 for a consulting firm to assess if a siding is needed or if some other approach could keep trains moving versus using a siding. Will be interesting how that all turns out.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.