[milwaukee-electric] Re: 1949: National City Lines conspirators are convicted.

[Don L. Leistikow]

Gary S and list:  My reference to the 45 plus 3 States contained the
word 'contiguous' so limiting the count by excluding the remaining
out-lying States and Territories.                                         

As for the proposed rail service to Madison, I disagree with the overall
proposition.  My position is; that passenger train service to and from
Madison, is that alone.  At this point, it has nothing to do with
re-routing the existing Amtrak train between Chicago and Seattle.  So,
let's concentrate on what servcie is needed between Madison and
Milwaukee via Watertown.  Should it be a real high speed, non-stp, train
or... should it be a local, making many stops at intermediate stations?
The latter choice, is what we've had in the historic past.         

I vote for a local type of service that includes intermediate stops.                      

As for Badger Coach service, I reached them by telephone, some time ago
and discoverd that they no longer stop in downtown Madison as all to few
passengers boardrd or alighted, there.  Badger Coach, goes directly to
the UW Campus.  Sheds quite a different light on the subject, doesn't
it?                              

As for Amtrak's Empire Builder service, keep it on the mainline.  As
it's only one train per day, each way, I see no need to detour via
Madison, for a potential few patrons.  I'd rather see a Bus connection
between Madison and Portage for those passengers.  Less expensive
overall,         

Let's we forget, the C&NW once had a more direct line between Milwaukee
and Madison.  This was the line that came out of Milwaukee via Chase
Yard and west on the mainline via West Allis, thence west on an almost
straight line through Waukesha,Wales, Sullivan, Jefferson and Cambridge
to Madison.                             

That's worthy of some thought, too !          

Don L.