Minnesota plan for future is riding on the rails

[ccharles000]

The most sweeping rail plan in Minnesota history envisions a high-speed train running to Chicago within five years and a network of passenger trains someday connecting the Twin Cities with Rochester, Duluth and several other cities.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation plan, released Thursday, names several possible routes over which a high-speed train from the Twin Cities to Chicago would travel. Developing that route, the plan said, is an urgent first step to securing federal funding that could help build a comprehensive network of passenger trains. They could connect major train hubs in Minneapolis and St. Paul with Moorhead, Mankato and Eau Claire, Wis., within 20 years.

After that, the plan envisions running trains from the Twin Cities to Albert Lea and Willmar in outlying Minnesota and to the Canadian city of Winnipeg.

"It's an exciting time because I think the public is ready for trains," said Myra Peterson, a Washington County commissioner who's been a champion of statewide rail planning. "Every time that we have something that happens in the air like the Detroit incident, the traveling public is more convinced that we need a viable option."

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/80451547.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

[Captain Hilts]

1. Excellent!

[kestrel91316]

2. Sounds like somebody woke and smelled some coffee......

[jwirr]

3. Unlike many states Minnesota has kept their basic structure in pretty

good condition. I would like to see them do the passenger trains but also more cargo shipping with the same lines. I do not know about the high speed train to Chicago but if they can get it done then it can't hurt.

[MineralMan]

4. I'll believe it when I see it.

However, the new Northstar line is up and running to some northern suburbs. I haven't seen any recent reports on ridership, though, and it's been just a short time.

The light rail system that connects Minneapolis to the airport and Mall of America has been running some time, now, and will soon extend to Saint Paul, with much controversy over routing and the like. The thing I notice about the light rail on my trips to the MSP airport, where I always get to see a few trains, is that there is almost nobody on those trains. That's not a good thing.

I used to visit San Francisco frequently on business when I lived on the Central Coast of California. What I'd do would be to drive up to one of the southern SF suburbs, stay in a less expensive motel there, then take the train into the city. I usually went into the city at rush hour, and came back at the afternoon rush hour. The train was pretty much deserted at both times, even though it was a very convenient way to commute, with city buses, etc. all converging on the station in San Francisco. I liked it very much, and couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why so few people were on those rush hour trains.

So, I hope Minnesota has good luck with this. I'd love not to drive to the airport when I travel. I'd love to take the bus that runs from the corner a couple of blocks away to the downtown terminal for the light rail, then jump on the train. I hate driving to the airport and trying to find parking.

[Odin2005]

5. YAY!

We need high-speed rail going to Fargo-Moorhead

[wellstone dem]

6. What a dream, high speed rail from Fargo to Chicago

it would make a tremendous difference--and I don't live in Fargo.

[Odin2005]

8. I can't drive so that would be especially good for me.

I can get to Minneapolis by myself, which would be great.

[madrchsod]

7. top speed of around 110-120

putting high speed rail through chicago would be difficult. it`s a great idea but it will take tens if not over a 100 billion to construct and to be cost efficient it will have to either run on syn fuel or be electrified. the usa will not build a 186-200+ mph rail system.