Milwaukee Wisconsin

Milwaukee Amtrak Station

This posting we will consider a new station, not an old one. This is the new Amtrak Station, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It is an "Intermodal Station" since Greyhound is also located there. It is brand new because it has been opened within the last year. It is a ray of hope in an otherwise dark scene of modern passenger railroading. And yes, it is an Amtrak station that shows the community is proud of itself and not afraid of rail passengers and welcomes them as guests.

I admit this station is not as ornate as past stations that have graced this area, such as this shot of the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (better known as The Milwaukee Road) station I found in the waiting area. However, it is certainly a lot better than the all-to-common "Amshack" structures that many communities, such as Chemult Oregon, provide for their guests who travel by rail.

According to the city's web site, this structure will also become the key to a comprehensive transportation plan that will grow to include Commuter Rail, a light-rail (streetcar) downtown Circulator, and a series of rapid bus lines (oh come on, in today's traffic? Only if you have a separate bus way such as Pittsburgh PA's.).

I have seen noteworthy stations that have been constructed in the Amtrak in other communities, and will present them in future blogs. But I wanted to start with this one, since it stands out in my mind as the best that I have seen to date.

At any rate, this is something for other communities to shoot for.