Opinion by Paul Schollmeier, Winona Daily News; March 22, 2018
As Winona develops into a center for the arts and outdoor recreation, passenger rail service plays an ever increasing role in transporting tourists and students to and from our community. The cities of Red Wing and St. Paul also benefit immensely from this transportation alternative. Luckily, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the High Speed Rail commission have been working tirelessly to bring a second train to these Minnesota station stops. It’s called the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) Second Train.
A nearly completed Phase 1 study for the MNDOT passenger Rail Office shows the potential of 155,000 additional passengers annually on a second train that would run a daylight schedule between Chicago and St. Paul, with a Union Station arrival in time for an early evening dinner, hockey game, or a concert at the Ordway. TCMC arrivals in Red Wing and Winona would allow travelers and business people to comfortably settle into lodging prior to their leisure or business engagements. Heck, the proposed schedule practically makes Red Wing a commuter stop from St Paul.
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