ProRailHelping people travel by train
-- and have more trains to travel

About Us

(Note: membership information appears at the end.)

ProRail is a nonprofit, nonpartisan all-volunteer, tax-exempt organization supported by member donations and dues.

It was established in January 1985 as a Chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers for WisARP members in Dane and surrounding counties.

We have a dual role -- helping people use the train for business and pleasure, and working to improve and expand passenger train options in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the U.S.

ProRail is the only citizen group in this area whose single purpose is to represent the interests of the intercity train-riding public living or working in Dane and surrounding counties. We travel by train ourselves, and we’ve helped thousands of others to do the same.

We’re a chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers and work closely with the National Association of Railroad Passengers and rail passenger orgaizations in surrounding states.

Meetings: We normally meet 10 times a year, usually once a month excluding March and October when WisARP holds its state meetings. Unless otherwise announced, meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. and generally last about 90 minutes. The normal location is the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave. Meetings are free and no advance reservations are required.

Some members gather about 8 a.m. for breakfast at a nearby restaurant where they order from the regular menu and pay only for what they order (plus tip). Click here to see our Events listings for more details and directions.

Check out our home page for any updates for this month's meeting.

Web Sites: Our main Web site is located at www.prorail.com

We also support a special Web site dedicated to train travel news. You can link to it from any of our Web sites (including this one) or by clicking on ProRail Travel

Newsletters: We issue a monthly member newsletter called “Keeping Track.” Members also receive the quarterly state publication, “Badger Rails,” as a benefit of their WisARP membership.

Join ProRail!

Basic membership in ProRail the first year is $20, which also includes membership in the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers. (ProRail members must also be WisARP members.)

Send your payment made out to ProRail, along with name and address information, to ProRail Membership, P.O. Box 5401, Madison, WI 53705-0401. Include an e-mail address, if you wish.

Because only about 30% of ProRail’s budget is financed by dues, we’d appreciate your joining, and then renewing each year, above the basic dues (Business Class) level.

Here are the five membership levels:

Business Class (basic), $10 First Class, $15 (family; 2 persons may be listed) 400 Service, $25 Hiawatha Service, $50 Conductors Club, $100

ProRail is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3 organization, which means that gifts to ProRail are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.