EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Two dozen advocates to restore long-abandoned passenger trains to Eau Claire rallied at Phoenix Park and fanned out to gather petition signatures. The petition supports President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure plan, which includes $66 billion for railroads. Specifically the group wants Chicago-St. Paul passenger service through Eau Claire. The service ended in 1961, when the Chicago & Northwestern dropped its Twin Cities 400 streamliner for lack of passengers. A focus of the rally, on the banks of the Chippewa River, was that trains are more environmentally friendly than driving.
First step. Advocates foresee an initial Amtrak or state-branded route to St. Paul and later to Chicago. This would have the same end points as Amtrak’s current Empire Builder but not LaCrosse orWinona, which are Empire Builder intermediate stops.
Refitting old depot. Westbound and eastbound boarding platforms would be connected by a tunnel under tracks.
Why rail?
Among points underscored by State Representative Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire, and City Council member Jeremy Braggert:
> U.S. commuters lose 4 billion hours to automobile congestion, air travelers 2 million hours.
> Railroads are six to serve times less expensive to build than freeways.
>Rail requires only 10% as much land as interstate highways.
>Only the most severe weather affects trains.
>Business travel by train eliminates the fatigue and stress of driving, assuring productive time at the destination.
>Passenger rail travel produces 71% fewer carbon dioxide emissions per passenger mile than automobiles.
> Passenger trains consume 28% less fuel per passenger mile than cars.
> Today’s trains provide every electronic attribute necessary to create a “traveling office.”
The glory days of Eau Claire railroading
Pre-1961. The Chicago & Northwestern’s crack Twin Cities 400 arrives across the Chippewa River.
Solidly built. The Northwestern depot in Eau Claire still stands.