by mtuandrew
I have to agree with Mr. Matthews - this is a big loss for Wisconsin. The reconfigured Monona Terrace station is literally three blocks from the capitol building, and another 6-8 blocks past that on State Street is the University of Wisconsin. (The original plan was to have the station out by State Road 113 and 1st Street, just beyond the Yahara River link between the lakes, but that was a late change in the plans.) Also, to the posters complaining that Madison would be a low ridership destination, I have to ask where a better destination would be within the state. The only other short-distance line within Wisconsin that could support rail is that to Green Bay through Fond du Lac, and it's over twice as long as the line to Madison. Besides, the state legislators really had no choice but to connect the state's largest city and its capitol, especially when half the route is already used by Amtrak.
On my part, I take back my earlier comments and have to say that Talgos weren't the best choice for the state. Granted, there's a good chance this line would have been canceled no matter what in this political environment, but Wisconsin could have done much worse than funding rehabilitation of Amfleets or even Superliners. For motive power, either rent a few F40s from Metra (once their fleet numbers allow for it) or fund a few more refurbished P40DCs from Amtrak. Hopefully a scaled-back plan (only upgrading the WSOR from Watertown to Madison to 79 mph, and minus the Talgos) will find traction and be approved - if nothing else, Minnesota depends on Wisconsin's plans so we can finally get a second or third daily train
On my part, I take back my earlier comments and have to say that Talgos weren't the best choice for the state. Granted, there's a good chance this line would have been canceled no matter what in this political environment, but Wisconsin could have done much worse than funding rehabilitation of Amfleets or even Superliners. For motive power, either rent a few F40s from Metra (once their fleet numbers allow for it) or fund a few more refurbished P40DCs from Amtrak. Hopefully a scaled-back plan (only upgrading the WSOR from Watertown to Madison to 79 mph, and minus the Talgos) will find traction and be approved - if nothing else, Minnesota depends on Wisconsin's plans so we can finally get a second or third daily train