Conference tries to move passenger service along rail lines

A conference in Chicago today is focusing on the need to bring high-speed passenger rail service to the Midwest. The meeting is being co-sponsored by the Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers. Henry Wulff of Urbandale is the group’s president.Wulff says his Iowa group joins similar railroad promoters from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio in the Windy City. The gathering is called “To Catch a Train: The 2nd Annual Midwest Rail Advocates Conference.” Wulff wants to see high-speed passenger rail service restored in the Midwest region, with a line running from Omaha to Chicago that would make stops in Des Moines, Iowa City and Davenport.One-third of the nation’s population lives within 500 miles of Chicago, so Wulff says it’s important to consider this alternative mode of transportation. He says a high-speed rail line between New York City and the nation’s capitol is very popular.The northeast corridor train line now runs at 125 miles an hour and should be able to run at 150 miles an hour by year’s end.