Although this is technically a commuter system, the creation of what appears to be a strong feeder network into the bigger city seems significant. Perhaps somebody closer to the scene has a better feel for it.

This comes from a column in the Winona Daily News by Fred Orlowske.

I recommend a commuter rail service be established between two cities in Minnesota and one in western Wisconsin. The cities of

La Crosse, Wis., Owatonna, Minn., and Minneapolis/St. Paul would serve as the terminals for this system.

There would be three major routes between the following cities: La Crosse-Twin Cities, La Crosse-Owatonna, Twin Cities-Owatonna.

Transfers would occur in the following cities: Winona, Rochester, Owatonna, Twin Cities and Red Wing. For example: If a commuter wanted to leave La Crosse for the Twin Cities, he/she would have to transfer at Winona and Red Wing. If a commuter wanted to leave La Crosse for Rochester, he/she would have to transfer in Winona. The only leg of non-transfer service would be between Owatonna and the Twin Cities.

This system would use existing tracks of the Union Pacific and the Canadian Pacific/DM&E railroads.

Stops would be made in the following cities:

La Crosse-Winona: Non-stop.

Winona-Owatonna route: Lewiston, Utica, St. Charles, Dover, Eyota, Rochester (transfer), Byron Kasson, Dodge Center, Owatonna.

Winona-Twin Cities route: Wabasha, Lake City, Red Wing (transfer), Treasure Island, Hastings, St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Owatonna-Twin Cities: Faribault, Northfield, St.Paul/Minneapolis.

Half-hour departures would begin at 5 a.m., from transfer and terminal points and continue until 9 a.m. (Monday through Friday). Two-hour departures would continue throughout the remainder of the day until

4 p.m. At that time, half-hour departures resume and continue until 7 p.m. There would be no nightly service. However, if this proposal is successful, several nightly trains could be considered. Weekend service would be two morning departures and night departures from transfer and terminal stations.

This area of Minnesota has numerous thriving businesses, and employees homes are scattered throughout the area. Additionally, this commuter rail service would be an ideal means for patients to travel to and from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Also, this proposal would be ideal for “day-trippers” to travel to the Twin Cities for downtown and Mall of America shopping.

Furthermore, this would be a perfect tie-in to the Northstar Commuter Rail Service and the downtown Light Rail Transit Connection. This service would be ideal for students who attend various learning institutions in the Twin Cities metro area.

Again, I believe the public would widely embrace this commuter service. Yes, there would be an up-front capital expense, but over time commutes would be more economical for riders and help conserve energy resources.