Be it personal passion or just part of his job, it's clear Dave Christianson likes trains.

Some Winona residents share his sentiment; some don't. Winona residents live in a town built in part because of - but sometimes blocked off by - trains, so their views on them vary accordingly.

So maybe you want to board a fast train in Winona, or maybe you wish trains going through our city's center posed less of a headache. Either way, there's a chance to voice your opinion this week as the Minnesota Department of Transportation holds open houses to draft a state rail plan.

Most notably, the plan will identify a priority route for a proposed high-speed Chicago-to-St. Paul line that might stop in Winona, Rochester or Eau Claire. Southeast Minnesota leaders have buzzed in recent months at the prospect of being able to board a 110-mph train to St. Paul, Madison, Milwaukee or Chicago.

The rail plan also will examine freight rail, which always has been central to Winona's economy. Christianson, who's overseeing the MnDOT rail plan, says America's rails carried more cargo last year than any time in their history.

"As the economy grows, freight (rail) is growing in lockstep," Christianson said.

And there's reason to attend the open houses even if you're no fan of trains. MnDOT officials have discussed putting more money into building rail grade separations, like the kind the city built on Pelzer Street and has discussed building on Huff Street. Christianson said strong public sentiment could help influence whether MnDOT puts more dollars toward helping local communities build rail underpasses and overpasses.

MnDOT is holding seven open houses, with the closest two in Rochester and Red Wing. I asked Christianson: why no open house in Winona? Christianson said MnDOT officials considered a Winona forum, but picked Red Wing as a compromise location for those advocating a high-speed rail route along the Mississippi River from La Crescent to St. Paul.

MnDOT officials are acutely aware of the southeast Minnesota rivalry between advocates of a Rochester and river route for the proposed speedy trains. Christianson said the department wants the plan to reflect the importance of serving all communities. For example, the river route would include a bus or rail spur connecting to Rochester, he said.

"Nobody wants to have one corridor competing with another," Christianson said.

Walz to hold Afghanistan town hall at WSU

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, DFL-Minn., is shifting his town hall focus to a new topic: the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

Walz will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the Afghanistan war on Friday at Winona State University from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Somsen Hall Auditorium.

In August, Walz held town halls in Mankato and Rochester to discuss health-care reform.