Great post by blood!

I hope Doyle is taking a close look at Mondragon Corp while in Spain. Mondragon offers the model for the kind of production blood is writing about.

Also, Michelle Mauder, a former Chrysler worker, has introduced an ESOP plan to buy the Big 3. I'm surprised it is not mentioned here since I sent it to the Gazette some time ago.

The reason the Amtrak did not work out and no one used it, was because it was way too expensive.

If this was done is done right and at a low cost to riders, like the metrarail, there will be many people using it. We started using the metrarail in Harvard several years ago to go to the broadway shows. It's wonderful! $5.00 all weekend. You don't have to worry about traffic, gas, and tolls. I would love to take my Grandson to the museums in Chicago. I could go to Madison more often. There is so much you could do, if the cost is right.

The Janesville Project
Making Alternative Energy Research And Production A National Priority

In the 1940's both Germany and Japan were feverishly working on the development of the first atomic weapon. Germany was much closer to achieving a nuclear weapon, but Japan had promised to march one million people (men, women and children) to their shores to defend against an allied invasion. Japan vowed never to surrender, their culture would not allow it!

For five years the US and her allies conducted a secret operation called, "The Manhattan Project." The best and brightest scientists, researchers and engineers were accumulated with a single purpose, to develop an atomic weapon before our enemies did. The cost was $4 billion over five years ($24 billion in today's money). History can now judge the US for dropping two nuclear weapons on Japan, but those weapons saved millions of lives and maybe even the free World!

Today we continue to use outdated fossil-fueled propelled vehicles that keep us in bondage to countries that wouldn’t even be significant if not for their oil reserves. We need to institute a new “Manhattan Project,” this time for the creation of alternative energy research and production; what better location than Southern Wisconsin, which has become a symbol of the ingenuity-deficiency of the US auto industry? I propose the “Janesville Project.”

The Janesville Project
Investment- $10 Billion Over 5 Years
Investment Source- Federal, State, County & Private Industry Funds

Purpose- To bring new alternative energy sources into production, including vehicle propulsion, household wind & solar applications, high capacity storage devices, etc. A cooperative effort between industry, government and educational/research institutions to construct a clearinghouse for alternative energy research, development and production.

First Project- Create a non-fossil fuel propulsion engine to replace mid-size to large diesel engines within 3 years and for autos in 5 years, including retrofit engines for current vehicles. In 4 years Janesville would be producing the first GM AE mid-duty truck on the current truck line.

Research & Development- The brightest scientists, engineers, & support staff from around the world would relocate to the Janesville area and it would become the international center for alternative energy development.

Manufacturing- Just as UW Research Park in Madison was built around the visionary ingenuity of UW researchers, the Janesville area would become an incubator for manufacturing production facilities throughout the Stateline area and beyond.

Is this some sort of a joke?
Seriously, am I in the twilight zone, or did I really just read this article?
Yeah; lets start building a mass transit system that's run by the government. It's not like every public mass transit system around the US operates at a massive operating loss that is paid for by who else, but the tax payer!
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rooster; in the 2nd post in this thread, had what may be one of the best comments ever put on this blog. Nice work!

SarahB--Fairbanks still builds large diesel engines, some still for locomotive applications. However, I'm assuming the high speed rail proposed would be electric powered, like most in Europe.

Doyle still seems to be barking up the wrong tree with GM - especially when we could be talking to ThyssenKrupp (parent of former Gilman) as they build one of the fastest maglev trains in existence. Much faster than the conventional high speed trains found in Spain and suck up half the electricity. I emailed him, but I doubt that will go anywhere.

Just how many passenger rail cars would need to be built? I doubt there's a high demand for rail cars.

Yes, a couple of years ago they did try the Amtrak train but do you remember the desolate spot they picked to have the train stop? The only amenity was a bench, not even a kiosk to shelter from the elements. Cars had to be parked on the dirt, there wasn't room for many cars, and the train only made two or three stops a day. The first one in early morning and the last return trip home at night originated in Chicago at 6:30 PM. I think it took something like two hours to make the trip by train each way. So, in essence if you used the service as a commuter, you had to leave Janesville at 6:30 AM and you wouldn't return until 8:00 PM if I remember correctly. I called to inquire about the service and it stopped at every little town from Janesville to Chicago (approx. 2 hours)......it was by no means "high speed" as Governor Doyle is discussing now.

Does anyone remeber when Janesville tried the AmTrac thing? No one rode it then, and they won't do it now.

I bash the governor when he wrong, but I'll also praise him when he's right. In this situation it's nice to see that he's looking at alternatives rather than simply lying in wait for GM. At this point any large employer paying 12+ dollars an hour would be excellent.

A few years ago Governor Thompson has a passenger from Janesville to Chicago Union Station. I rode on that once and was the last time. The rails were out dated to handle speed.

We average 35 to 45 mph. I could take the toll road and make better time.

I have a tube of Brylcream and bottle of Vitalis in my bathroom drawer. They work wonders. A little dab'll do ya.

This is somewhat related to this topic: Didn't Fairbanks Morse in Beloit build the giant train engines of years ago? If we can dream, I would love for the whole Stateline region to be manufacturing components (engines, cars, track, electronics, etc.) for mass rail transportation. Think of the jobs!

Great to see that there are a few positive thinkers out there. Keep it up! They said the car would never replace the horse------Maybe now is the time to look at mass transit. If the componets are manufactured in Janesville, believe there would be a pretty good chance we'd be included in the rail system. True, it could take some business away from the local area but then again, it would bring employment and employed people spend in the local area. It would be a gain either way. Which means, if I'm not being too optimistic, a better life for us all. What ever the out come--let's at least see the options avail.

keep in mind that this is a government idea and as such might be a train to nowhere and carrying no passangers. but hey, the earmarks might be comming so rather than direct it at computers for our youths, squander the cash on a train. makes perfect sense to me in light of the other stuff going on. for manufacturing a volt, tear down the old, put up new. the only way for THAT plant. it is outdated and the place is crumbling.

Making the GM site a logistic/supplier park isn't a bad idea but it would not create nearly the jobs as retooling and going into full scale production of electric cars.Is it the "Volt" that is GM's electric car? I recall it looking somewhat like a vet. Sharp looking car but it was nearly $40K. If an entire plant was dedicated to building this model, perhaps it could be made more affordable thus greater demand.

Negative is not good and to look at the positive side of things as to this article IMO would not hurt. The bashing and negative as BillyDurant, put it does need to stop as the community as a whole is affected and it needs a positive boost to start somewhere.

As far a manufacturing them It is not a bad idea as they need to do something here and soon. And I to wish GM would continue yet the outlook is very grim.

onedayatatime, No, I live somewhere in the Midwest. I never said retool the current plant. I'm talking about a new flex plant. The current plant can be used as a logistics/supplier park.

Passenger rail is a great IDEA!! Although remember it was the AUTO INDUSTRY in conjunction with BIG OIL that was, financially behind destroying the rail we had. To make them happy through huge campaign contributions, our intelligent state and federal legislators dismantled our already great rail systems in the USA. Now, think logically. Our now so called political leaders are proposing from the front side that we BAIL OUT the auto industry, then from the back side we need to recreate a wonderful society saving passenger rail system in direct contradiction to increasing the auto production. Hmmmmm, who's lying?? We would have to do a huge revamping of the mass-transit bus system to transport these large numbers(which is needed to financially support such a system)of rail passengers so they could get where they need to go. Then remember we are putting BILLIONS of stimulus money into road construction. This to my impression is for AUTOS. Chicken or the egg? Many of these efforts are so contradictory that it leads me to believe they have no idea, other than tons of ideas with no real goal. This whole thing is much like the Ethanol made from corn dream!!! Just some of my thoughts on this issue.

BillyDurant, You live in your own little fantasy world, don't you?:) The only way that would happen is if they COMPLETELY retooled to build electric cars. I don't see that happening, at least not by 2011

Zoom, I am just a positive person who is very optimistic about the future. I am not from Janesville, but have noticed that this site needs some positive thinking. From what I've seen, there are way too many negative people and GM bashers.

Is BillyDurant the new TheJoker?

Fork...Done

2011 - GM will have the most cost efficient workforce in the industry. The foreign transplants will need to go back to their workforces and ask for concessions to be on par with the domestics. New plant in Janesville will be about completed and staffed with fresh, skilled labor at the new wage rates. Salary workers who transferred to other GM plants will be putting in transfers to come back home to Janesville. The industry will be seeing around 15 million units again. The auto industry in either boom/bust. Bust now because of the economy/lack of credit available to consumers/automakers. 2011 will be boomtown again.

Trains would likely have to blow their whistle at every intersection. This would not make Madison happy.

If this is gonna happen it has to be setup like Chicago. You cant take someone from Delavan Dr. in Janesville if they live on Ruger Ave. and the transport them to a one stop point in downtown Madison if they want to say go to East Town Mall or to Alliant energy center. There has to be multiple stops in each laeger city to justtify it. If you have to drive 5 or 10 minutes to get to the pickup or drop off point you might as well drive the full trip in your car. Thats why along with the cost is why the Janesville to Chicago line never lasted past the free rides they gave. Also if Unkown is right 30 mph is a pretty long slow ride when I can ride at 65 mph. Even if I get stuck in traffic it's still faster.

Anything is possible, if the desire is there.

Rail is great. If you have ever traveled in Europe where the trains are fast, inexpensive, comfortable, clean and scheduling is frequent, you can see rails as a mode of transportation which far exceeds the inconvenience of car travel and long hours driving or stuck in construction zones bumper to bumper. Unfortunately, Gov. Doyle has decided to bypass Janesville in favor of a route which goes from Chicago to Milwaukee and on to Madison, then to Minnesota; leaving Janesville in the dust....as usual. Gee, I thought the stimulus package was to benefit all of Wisconsin.....LOL, including Janesville. Needless to say, Europe's trains are subsidized by the governments, thereby, keeping rail travel expense to the rider low. I spent a summer in Europe and it was so great to get a Eurail pass for a low fee and be able to travel all summer from Italy to France, Germany and back at will. Ticketing was easy using automated machines.
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I would think that a rail system from Chicago, Rockford, Janesville to Madison and then to Minnesota with a spur to Milwaukee would serve far more people by making it more convenient for those who live on the western side of Southern Wisconsin, although, it may not work because I don't know if there is a rail system from Chicago to Rockford and beyond. I admit my knowledge of the rails in Illinois is very scanty.

The Amtrak was way too expensive. Compared to the Metrarail. If the go for it, they need to campare costs with the Metrarail so people will ride it. Otherwise, it will be a lost cause.

Imagine that! Joker is the first to comment, at 9:23AM in the morning. Good job Joker, way to be on top of things!

High speed rail works in other countries that have competitive transportation including road and air, so why it wouldn't work at all here is something that critics can never really back up. Obviously it isn't intended for long-distance routes like Chicago to Los Angeles, but it is very price and time competitive with medium distance trips such as Chicago to Detroit.
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Existing Amtrak routes are basically an "excursion" model ("See America at see level", etc.), not competitive transportation. (Oh, and the Janesville to Chicago route was just a demonstration because Tommy Thompson was on the Amtrak board. If it oinks, it's pork.) The Amtrak route from Washington to New York to Boston, though, which is now the main Acela route, a semi-high-speed design, has always been profitable.
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Will this be public or private? The plans that exist are largely about providing seed money for a private concession, similar to the way a toll bridge might be built, with the private operator paying off the bonds.
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Anybody who doesn't know the difference between high speed rail and light rail really isn't contributing anything useful to the discussion. Light rail is not intercity.

usaret: I agree 100 percent with your comments on this one. But it seems so many people have trouble wrapping their minds around a new idea for an old plant. There are plenty of benefits to rail service vs. autos on the interstate system. One of the first that came to my mind this morning: FEWER DEATHS TIED TO DRUNKEN DRIVERS.

People take planes and when they get to their destination, a portion of them rent cars, take cabs and buses and that costs money to. People in New York City use buses, taxies and the subway, likewise in Chicago and believe it or not, their are a lot of people that actually walk to where they need to go once they've used one of the modes of transportation. Americans love cars except when in traffic jams. Just think about it, the chance to travel some place to shop or attend a sports venue or go to a theatre to see a show and not have to worry about traffic or finding a place to park much less having to pay to park. Sure, it won't happen overnight and granted you may or may not have an interest in any of the above but it is there when your ready to use it. This country needs a good mass transit system. The highways are clogged in places, and the airlines are getting that way. Let's not close the door on a possible solution to one of many problems facing not only Wisconsin but the nation.

Rail is fine for going places if they're within walking distance from the terminal and the weather is nice enough, but you need to call for a ride to go to other places that'll cost you more money and time so it's easier and to just drive.

rail didn't work because America was in love with the car, regardless of the road it led us down. On the east and west coasts it's been more successful, Midwest, not so much. Amtrack always loses money. Why? People have to want to change, and even in these difficult times many will decide it's too much trouble.

It is an idea. Maybe, just maybe if it works in WI, other states might want to try to improve their rail transportation systems and that would provide jobs for Janesville. But no, forget it, because if anything good does happen in this town, a few people wouldn't have anything to B---H about. Times are tough but, when and if opportunity knocks and no one answers----------. It's just a possiblity for a use of the plant. What does it take to get the negativity out of this town? Don't do this, don't do that, why isn't this done and on and on and then when an idea presents itself, cut it off at the knees because it might raise the property taxes. Got news for you, taxes are going to raise regardless.

If the rail system was a good idea, a private company would have already started it.

Beeferer might be on to something, Deere has a transfer building in janesville, mabee the taskforse could sell them on building tractors or other machinery here? Just a thought.

I think Rail is a great idea. I would ditch the car or truck to ride rail any day. So go on with your close minded comments. I figure I am getting taxed to hell in this state why not have something to show for it

Yep the demand for that Janesville railroad
transit has sky rocketed...oh wait..nevermind.

Doyle just doesn't give up on his rail system idea,does he,must never of got over his infatuation with trains as a little "BOY". Give it up doyle,i'll look next time i go to a auction for some toys for you!

...or how about bring back Samson Tractors?

turn it into a new unemployment office. they need the room.

No, No, No!! We do not have the population or consumer interest to support light rail in this state. It would be another disaster this state can ill afford. Yes, please find another use for the GM plant. Stop talking to GM about coming back. THEY ARE GONE! And about to be bankrupt! There are more important things to worry about-like changing high school mascots who have Indian names.