Some snapshots here, from a rally today at the Talgo factory, near 30th and Townsend, in Milwaukee. Governor-elect Walker has been less than supportive of the federally-funded development of a section of high-speed rail between Madison and Milwaukee, WI. Though it doesn’t get mentioned often enough, this proposed rail development would be an integral part of a network of high-speed rail across the Midwest, linking Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, the Twin Cities, Dubuque, St. Louis and other cities. This issue is NOT just about a single line between Madison and Milwaukee.
There were speakers from the AFL-CIO, Citizens Action WI, a few city and state politicians, amongst others. There was a good number of people in attendance and the energy was high!
Here’s a great story about how Wisconsin fits into the bigger picture of high-speed rail in the Midwest: MinnPost Here’s an interesting commentary on why Governor-elect might be so keen to add roads instead of rails in WI: JS Online
Talgo has chosen a site in Milwaukee that can use some attention. It’s apparent that the neighborhood is in need of some resuscitation. Just across the street from the plant, there is a teddy-bear memorial. What crime occurred there, I don’t know. Awful sad, though. It seems that Talgo is taking their commitment to the site seriously as it appears there is some serious landscaping going on.
Midwest Editorial Photo: Troy Freund 
Please correct your statement “a network of high-speed rail across the Midwest”. 74 mph is not high speed. We already have a passenger line that travels the same route at roughly the same speed. It’s called Amtrak.
Hello Jeff,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a response. As I understand, the standard passenger Amtrak train goes around 79 mph. A “high speed” line is supposed to reach around 110 mph. The information at the WI DOT says when service begins (planned for 2013ish), the trains will travel as that initial speed. Once all necessary track and signal upgrades are completed, the 110 mph will be safely reached.
As for a “passenger line that travels the same route at roughly the same speed,” I’m not certain what you’re referring to. There currently is no train service, much less a high-speed line, between Milwaukee and Madison. There is the 7x daily “Hiawatha Service” between Milwaukee and Chicago. There is also the once-daily “Empire Builder” line that goes from Chicago to Seattle/Portland. There is no line between Milwaukee and Madison. What I’m excited for is the development of the line from Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-Twin Cities. Pretty exciting stuff!