The Hiawatha train service between Milwaukee and Chicago is set to get a much-needed boost in seating capacity this fall, thanks to the introduction of nine new railcars. This development comes as a relief for commuters and travelers who have been dealing with reduced seating since March 2025 when Amtrak removed its Horizon passenger cars due to underframe corrosion. The new coach cars, part of Siemens' Venture trainset, are designed to accommodate up to 388 passengers and nine checked bicycles, a significant increase from the current capacity of 260-280 passengers.
This upgrade has been a long time coming. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) ordered the nine new cars from Siemens in 2021, but the planning for updated equipment dates back to 2009 under then-Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. In that year, a no-bid contract was entered with Spanish train manufacturing company Talgo to build two new trains for the Hiawatha line, intended to replace the aging Amtrak-owned equipment, including the Horizon train cars. However, the project faced a setback when Republican Gov. Scott Walker took office in 2010 and canceled the project, citing high operation costs.
The dispute between the state and Talgo led to a legal battle, with the Walker administration eventually agreeing to pay Talgo an additional $10 million in a 2015 settlement, allowing the company to keep the trains. It wasn't until 2019 that the state Legislature's budget committee approved funds to acquire new passenger car trains for the Hiawatha service.
The process of getting the new train cars has been a lengthy one, with manufacturing time and back orders causing delays. The DOT estimates that the nine new railcars will undergo commissioning and testing in Chicago, a process that takes three to four months. Once in service, the trains will feature a mix of coach and cab-coach cars, with the cab-coaches being a new addition to the Midwest, providing space and equipment for train conductors.
This upgrade is a significant step forward for the Hiawatha line, offering increased comfort and capacity for commuters and travelers alike. It also highlights the challenges and political hurdles that can arise when planning and implementing transportation infrastructure projects. As the new railcars are gradually introduced, the Hiawatha service will once again be able to accommodate a larger number of passengers, potentially attracting more travelers and contributing to the economic growth of the region.
