I don't want to subsidize freight rail and assume that my federal taxes already contribute some. Why don't we talk more about public transportation, whether that might be light rail or a bus system from Janesville to Milton to Whitewater? Seems that the latter would help our economy more and have other public good like preventing drunk driving. Can we have more stories about these ideas?

Where does everyone get the idea that this is about passenger trains? The article refers to the passengers taking the "tour". Obviously everyone is missing the point here- the rail needs to be upgraded for the safety of everyone. The crews on the train and the residents along the lines. Also, the UP and WSOR are two completely different companies not to mention that the yards are also seperate, so why all the comments about something that doesn't apply to this article. WSOR in Janesville handles ALOT of the WSOR business, whether it is going to Madison or Horicon then onto the respective companies. Look at the improvements to Milton with new industry and jobs for the community. I am all for passenger train from Janesville to Chicago, but that is a completely different subject that this article does not address. The main issue is improvements equal safety for all!! I urge the local governments to help Mr. Gardner get the monies needed to upgrade the rails--- how would you like a derailment to happen in your back yard due to poor tracks?? NOT ME!

sfcm, no problem. I just seemed to be correcting an implication that as nowind pointed out the article may have mistakenly given that there was a passenger rail component to this upgrade.
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But to nowind, the rail system in the United States is subsidized as part of the essential transportation grid needed by industry. (Half the US still gets power from coal, and it doesn't get there by walking.) The W&S in particular gets capital spending subsidies to maintain its rail routes for Wisconsin businesses that were left high and dry by the loss of C&NW and Milwaukee Road trackage, and provides an essential linkage to markets for local industry. You may only need one rail car of material a month (if you're not GM), but very often it's much more expensive if not entirely impossible to get some materials delivered other than by rail. Such businesses do relocate only to communities with working rail and a stable funding structure, so you can imagine the impact on jobs if the railroad became too broke to maintain all its trackage. That's where the state steps in.
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The direct "competitor" to rail, of course, is the (almost) 100% taxpayer-funded highway system, but nobody ever complains about that money!
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The Milton-Janesville route is an absolutely critical connector for WSOR. It's how they get stuff from the Madison district to the Janesville district (which takes them to Chicago) without using (leasing) some other railroad's trackage. They do serve GM, as well, but much of what they move is actually _through_ Janesville.
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The UP route to Evansville is primarily agricultural-related (outbound grain shipments). UP is also essential to the continued growth of the Janesville industrial area on the south side.

Long_Time_Gone, exactly where will these coal and container trains be going in Janesville? This is not a through route to anywhere but Reedsburg. Yes, there is a capacity need in this country, but not on the Harvard line. Remove the GM traffic and you have a lightly used branch line at best. Times are changing. Time for commuter rail to Chicago, Metra or not.

Long_time_gone: I enjoy your posts!

What other freight needs? From The Union Pacific map I'm looking at it looks like that line ends in Evansville. Where is all this freight going to come from? It sure won't be the bio-diesel plant! That rail yard in Janesville is full of train cars for GM. I doubt the loss of GM will be made up by other freight.

officer -
actually, yes, and no. With GM closing doors, the rail capacity will be quickly absorbed by other freight needs. Chicago is among the busiest ports in the US, and nearly everything passes through Chicago on rail. It is not just a GM rail.

"Freight and cargo are king on these rail lines". Yes, but isn't most of that freight and cargo for GM? Won't there be a lot less trains running that line when GM closes it's doors?

Officerfriendly - yes, a lot of talk, mostly from State Senator Judy Robson, but she also has not done her homework on the workings of Metra. Not gonna happen.
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Metra changed their charter after they crossed the Indiana state border, and their on-time schedules dropped significantly. They still regret that expansion.
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Freight and cargo are king on these rail lines.
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As far as sharing the rails with passenger, WI really lost a lot when Tommy Thompson joined the Bush Admin and was forced to stepp down as chair of Amtrack.
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Th rail lines at GM does not factor into any equation of bringing passenger rail terminals to Janesville. The capacity will soon be claimed by more freight - container boxes and coal.
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Which is exactly why the state and feds should do their best to quickly level GM when that time comes....it is indeed a valuable site - and not for a fairgrounds, or condos, or another park, but for industrial j-o-b-s.

I thought there was still talk of extending Metra to Sharon and Clinton. Janesville wouldn't be much further. Look at all the space they would have at the soon to be empty rail yard in Janesville.

Fred amd officerfriendly - Metra connection to Janesville, via Harvard, IL? Never gonna happen.
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Let me repeat that, NEVER gonna happen.
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Metra's charter will not allow it, nor will Metra's board ever approve it.
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Metra deepsixed the idea of breaking the state line charter with the so-called KRM corridor extension. And it was defeated for many reasons.
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Now, WI is exploring the idea of a "connector" funded by another regioanal tax (see RTA-WI)that travels a route from Milw to the stateline to connect with Metra.
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Metra is not supportive of that either, because it puts at risk their time schedules for their IL customers along the route to Union Station.

I think some of you should re-read the story. They never talk about this being for passengers. They took the officials out only to show them the conditions of the track. They just want money to fix the rail like the government gives money to fix the highways.

I apreciate the information shared by other posters here. It realy helps fill in the gaps in reporting.

THe artical made it seem like this was all about Pasenger rail not freight rail.
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"Passengers felt the jolt each time the train hit a new piece of rail, their heads swaying as the train rocked along the track."
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If this event was soposed to be about improving freight rail then the Gazette failed in its reporting.
If it is about freight rail, I don't understand why a private company is looking to the state and local officals for money. If it is for a mass transit system and would require "smoother" rails then I can see the request for money, but the requests seem quite low.

FredQuimby, I think you are right about Metra. By 2010 when GM closes it's doors they will have plenty of room for the Metra trains in the empty rail yard by Read Rd.

Thank you for the post janesvillian. I didn't really make it clear that I understand that a commuter rail is not an immediate priority, but something to look at in the future as the city grows. I realize Van Galder is covering the demand at this time, and sufficiently at that. My previous post was solely geared towards the fact that the Van Galder route from Jvl to Madison is heavily used by various populations.

Regarding commuter rail, I think Janesville stands a much better chance of getting Metra service to Chicago as an extension of the existing Northwest line to Harvard, Ill. This line would surely see regular, region-wide use.

nowind, You mentioned that the rails are not being used. Nothing could be further from the truth. The line sees at least two freight trains each day, and with the recent flooding, is seeing a dozen or more a day with detours from other railroads that are washed out further north. This freight line is vital to the region.

PJ & SFCM - Hope Janesvillean answered your thoughts on this.
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Just because a bus is full does not equate to a proftable commuter rail line. Get real.
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And PJ, here in Kenosha Co, we have commuter rail, and it has been a struggle to keep it. Now,Google the population density of SE WI vs. SC WI, and it is fairly easy to see Janesville is a long long long ways away from being connected to anyplace via passenger rail.
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"Hundreds of people" does not make money for a commuter rail. Thousands of people barely cut it. Ya need thousands and thousands and thousands of commuters.

The "plan" is for this rail line to continue to support the industrial customers it serves, and the rail replacement is intended to avoid any more derailments.
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Madison and Dane County have been discussing commuter rail for several years now but any action is still in the future. It is unlikely that Janesville will be considered a viable service for some time. The time frame is such that it's easier for people to move to Madison than to eke out a commute.
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This is a ten-year-old study map:
http://www.co.dane.wi.us/rail/railmap.ht...
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Madison is also discussing a commuter line along the campus to downtown, where there is unused rail capacity.
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In any case, an upgrade to passenger service in Rock County would require a funding authority to be created and several years of market and impact studies before implementation. The rail line's current freight uses are imperative enough that the upgrade is necessary.

Madison doesn't even want trains to blow their whistles due to the "noise pollution." There is no way they will want a commuter line.

I encourage anyone who doesn't think there is demand for a commuter rail from Jvl to Madison to go sit at the Van Galder Bus station on Pontiac Drive for a day and ask how many of those people are weekday commuters. Not only are the commuters employees--they are students at UW, MATC, and other educational institutions. As well as visitors.

Good luck with ANY of that with Doyle stealing the transportation money for his political cronies.
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Its a sad, sad thing.

Long Time Gone--you are proving true to your name.

Sure, rail wasn't supported to Chicago, because it was primarily for recreational visits to the Windy City when gas wasn't at $4/gallon.

There are hundreds of people in the area that actually work in Madison, that would probably be very interested in commuter rail, if it were convenient...

Commuter rail? Between Janesville and Madison? Yea right. There is not enough passenger traffic between Janesville and Chicago to support commuter rail, why would you think cities of a few thousand, and a shrinking Janesville, could ever support commuter rail to a city of 250,000?
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Besides, freight rail is much more lucrative for the RRs to voluntarily offer any amount of commuter rail.

What is the plan for this updated rail.

I understand the rail is not so good north of Milton, But who cares if it is not being used. Is there a plan for pasenger rail service between Janesville and Madison? Are we looking at commuter rail, Light rail, tourism rail? What is the plan?
I feel like we are missing 1/2 the artical.