Madison-to-Chicago rail service proposed

All Aboard Wisconsin, a statewide transportation advocacy group, is proposing passenger rail service between Madison and Chicago that the organization claims would use existing tracks, would not require federal or state money, and could begin in six to eight months. The seven-car train would depart the rail station at West Washington Avenue and could travel as fast as 79 mph, using cars provided by Metra and Amtrak. Details on exact routes, costs, and ridership will be presented during an informational train ride being offered to members of local governments and businesses on June 21.

If such a route used state-owned rail lines, approvals would be required from the state and the railroad company that leases the line from the state, according to a representative of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation who said in a Wisconsin State Journal report that she had not yet been contacted about the idea.