Wisconsin Gov. Doyle touts potential for high-speed rail Options

[KevinKorell]

From Milwaukee, WI Journal-Sentinel, 2/25/09:

Gov. Jim Doyle is crisscrossing Spain this week to experience a convenience that most of Europe and much of Asia take for granted: high-speed rail connections on whispering bullet trains that can exceed 200 mph.

Read the story here.

[Dakguy201]

Can anyone say "junket"? I didn't realize those had spread from the Congress to state governments.

[pcguy74]

Perhaps it is a bit of a pleasure trip for our Gov. but if the engineering of railcars is perhaps done in partnership with Talgo or some other vendor and final fabrication is done here in our state that might solve the rail car crunch that is likely to occur sooner than later. It will also create jobs...jobs that are needed!

The article sort of slams the "high speed rail" concept. I haven't driven the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor but 3 times in the past 4 years and that was primarily because I was heading for an entire weekend in the 'burbs. I can't imagine how much stress I used to have just from the drive. Door to door maybe one adds a bit of time to the trip, but the stress level while riding on a train is very minimal. I drive from Appleton area to Milwaukee and park it and enjoy the ride...now if only the line would stretch a little farther north. I realize the driving force in getting Higher Speed Rail to Madison but there are plenty of us at points to the north that would use the service too. We have to stop comparing ourselves directly to Europe and just start making progress, any progress. I'm always encouraged when I read the news on this forum even if it does smell like "junk"et on occassion.