THE CASE FOR TRADITIONAL PASSENGER RAIL.

Some Minnesotans like the idea of a faster train ride to LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Upgrading rail tracks between St. Paul and La Crosse, Wis., is the best bet for a Minnesota link in a future high-speed passenger line between the Twin Cities and Chicago, federal and state officials said Tuesday.

We're not talking about a Mississippi Valley Neubaustrecke here.

Advocates say upgrading the existing track could produce top speeds ranging from 80 to 110 miles per hour and cut more than two hours from a Twin Cities-Chicago trip.

If that sounds like Not-Quite-so-High-Speed Rail, or perhaps Traditional Passenger Rail, it should.

Extra credit if those speeds and timings call this to mind.

Swift of foot becomes Hiawatha.

The Minnesota route would upgrade the Amtrak Empire Builder line that runs largely along Hwy. 61 through the Minnesota cities of Hastings, Red Wing, Winona and La Crescent before crossing the Mississippi River into La Crosse.

Two problems: there is no money, and there is no interest in Wisconsin in rebuilding the traditional racetrack east of Tunnel City.