Business and Professional Coalition

Carthage hosts high-speed rail presentation

High-speed train service for Wisconsin, and jobs for Wisconsin residents were the subject when Antonio Perez Hurtado, president and CEO of Talgo, Inc., spoke Sept. 15 at a Carthage Business and Professional Coalition luncheon.

The state of Wisconsin has ordered two high-speed train sets from the Spanish firm, which has built rail systems in use in several countries.

"Our company has identified the US as the market with greatest potential" for the sale of high-speed rail equipment, Perez said at the luncheon.

Talgo's train sets are engineered to travel at up to 125 miles per hour. But state Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi, who introduced Perez, said the trains would operate at 110 miles per hour. The original order of two train sets, each with a 423-passenger capacity, will replace existing equipment on the Amtrak line between Chicago and Milwaukee.

"It's important to know these are proven designs," Perez said. "These trains are running in Europe and Washington State."

President Obama's economic stimulus plan included $8 billion in funds for high-speed rail projects. Wisconsin is seeking about $700 million to extend high-speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison. Funds would be used for track improvements and two additional train sets from Talgo.

"We hope and cross our fingers that happens," Perez said of the state's proposal.

The purchase contract requires Talgo to build the trains in Wisconsin. Perez and other executives stopped at Carthage during a tour of possible sites for the plant.

"We need to make the decision by the end of this year, probably," Perez said. Once the plant is ready, he added, "Wisconsin will have state of the art trains within 24 months."

Perez was confident that high-speed trains will be popular. He said a high-speed route in Spain between Madrid and Seville attracted many riders who previously flew between the cities.

Busalacchi said Gov. Jim Doyle "is committed to passenger trains because we believe people need options." He said reliability was the key to attracting passengers.

"We have to make sure we keep it affordable, and it's on time," Busalacchi said.

For nearly 20 years, the Business and Professional Coalition has regularly brought prominent speakers to Carthage, including business executives, government leaders, and well-known entertainers and sports personalities. For more information about the Carthage Business and Professional Coalition and upcoming speakers call Paul Hegland at (262) 551-5858, or contact him by e-mail.