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Doyle, Gunn, headline Empire Builder anniversary ceremonies in Milwaukee The Chicago-Seattle/Portland train was 75 June 11 6/15/2004

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Amtrak President David Gunn (l to r)

Amtrak’s long-distance Empire Builder “continues to provide an important and enjoyable transportation option connecting thousands of travelers to destinations throughout the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest,” according to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

The train service also is “contributing greatly to Wisconsin’s economy and overall quality of life,” he added in an official Governor’s commendation for the “Empire Builder” that he announced at ceremonies June 11 in Milwaukee celebrating the train’s 75th anniversary.

He repeated the point in his remarks to between 50-75 onlookers by saying the train has “widespread transportation and economic impacts.”

Referring to the train’s 75th anniversary as an “important” event, he said: “Just as this train supports the travel needs of thousands of people every year, it also supports economic growth in communities small and large all along its more than 2,000-mile route.”

As Amtrak President David Gunn stood nearby, Doyle said: “Although passengers can ride the train all the way to the West Coast, many people use the Empire Builder for regional travel.” He said many of trips occur within the Chicago-Minneapolis/St. Paul corridor.

“For 75 years, the Empire Builder has connected the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest -- bolstering the economies of eight states including Wisconsin.

“Since its start, this train has offered travelers a unique transportation option that combines scenic beauty and American history.

“As they travel through Wisconsin, Empire Builder passengers can see the Wisconsin Dells, the Mississippi River bluffs, and the farmlands and prairies Wisconsin is known for.

“In 2003, about 75,000 travelers rode the Empire Builder to and from train stations across Wisconsin -- from Milwaukee to Columbus to Portage to La Crosse. “

He concluded by saying that his ”Grow Wisconsin” economic development plan “recognizes that a quality and comprehensive transportation system is vital to job growth.”

“I want to thank the local, state, and federal officials -- many of you here today -- who oversee and support our freight and passenger rail services.

"Also, I want to acknowledge the ongoing cooperation from Amtrak, Canadian Pacific Railway, local communities, and passenger rail supporters that help keep services like the Empire Builder ‘on track’ and available to everyone.

“Congratulations to you all and best wishes for the next 75 years.“

Gunn made only brief celebratory comments, explaining that he wanted to insure the Empire Builder, which arrived ontime, stayed that way. Gunn already had participated in the day’s first Empire Builder ceremonies about two hours earlier at Chicago Union Station, where the train began its 2,200-mile trek to Seattle and Portland.

Other ceremonies were scheduled that night when the Builder arrived in the Twin Cities, and then at selected other communities along the route westward the following two days.

Those at the ceremony included at least two dozen members of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers (WisARP), many of them from the Madison area and ProRail members, as well as other rail advocates, representatives from the news media, and even a few passengers who delayed their boarding of the train so they could observe the event.

About a third of the audience sported large white-on-dark blue buttons which proclaimed “WisARP.” The buttons had been prepared by the organization for use at the cermonies.

The event was held in the waiting room, adjacent to the ticket windows. It was timed to the mid-afternoon arrival of that day’s westbound Empire Builder and was intentionally kept brief to conclude before the train’s scheduled 3:50 p.m. departure.

To help insure that tight schedule was kept, the program began about five minutes before the Governor and Gunn and the Empire Builder arrived, with WisARP President John Parkyn among those invited to speak first.

When it was time to depart, Gov. Doyle joined Gunn in the Amtrak corporate car, “Beech Grove,” and posed for photos from the car’s rear observation platform. Doyle rode as far as the next step, in Columbus. Several WisARP and ProRail members also were aboard as Amtrak guests for that same leg of the trip. (Read the report of one of those riders by clicking here.)

Also going aboard at departure were two large sheet birthday cakes, gifts to those on board from WisARP. (Photo below shows ProRail's Ken Burbach presenting the cakes trainside.)

Before the ceremonies began, those who had journeyed to Milwaukee on ProRail’s chartered bus, plus a few others, were taken on a station tour by Randy Wade of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

He pointed out many of the changes planned in a major interior and exterior remodeling of the station, including to the train shed at the rear and the street approaches to the facility. He also provided an update on construction plans for a new stop on the Hiawatha Corridor at Gen. Mitchell International Airport, located a few miles south of the downtown Amtrak station, with groundbreaking set within the week.

THERE'S MORE INFORMATION.

(For the first three links below, use your back browser to return to this Web site.)

Read the report, with photos, from a passenger who rode the train from Chicago to Seattle June 11. Richard Elgenson works for RailNewsNetwork Several of his photos also offer interior views of the special cars added to that day’s consist.

Or go directly to Elgenson’s report, with photos, on the Milwaukee portion of the trip.

You also can read Amtrak’s news release on the train’s 75th anniversary.

Read a brief history, with illustrations, of the Empire Builder.