APPLETON, Wis. — Downtown Appleton is nearly 100 miles from American Family Field in Milwaukee, but an idea to bring passenger train service to the ballpark is taking root in the city and in other communities in the Fox Valley. 

Larry Rueff is the municipal and legislative liaison for NEW Rails, a passenger rail advocacy group made up of northeast Wisconsin residents. As the idea of adding passenger rail service between Milwaukee, Green Bay and the Fox Cities is considered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Rueff said he would like officials to consider putting a stop at American Family Field.

From a logistical and economic standpoint, Rueff said it makes sense. 

“The train tracks that run past Am Fam Field for the Brewers right now, they come all the way right here (to Appleton). These are the existing tracks. They have been here for over a half a century. They can be used for passenger rail,” said Rueff. 

Rueff said he believes allowing northeast Wisconsin residents the chance to get to American Family Field by train would encourage more people to attend Milwaukee Brewers baseball games. 

“I think that has been pretty apparent that people realize that the Brewers are a big part of our state. In fact, they know people will come to the games and it will be good for the state’s economy,” said Rueff. 

At this point, expanding rail service to American Family Field is more of an idea than a set plan. Rueff said it isn’t clear where a station would be built near the stadium. In addition, he isn’t sure if a stop at the ballpark would operate year-round or only during game days. 

The Wisconsin DOT is currently waiting to see if it will get federal funds to begin a feasibility study on a route extension. A representative from the DOT said they don’t know exactly when they will find out about the funding, but they expect it to be in the near future.