The event was a debut of sorts for the state Legislature’s Passenger Rail Caucus, a body that began coming together this year. There are many reasons to expand passenger rail service in Wisconsin, according to Rep. Lori Palmeri (D-Oshkosh), a principal organizer for the group. In short, for lawmakers in the passenger rail caucus and for the advocates encouraging them, passenger rail service is more than a nostalgic indulgence. The canceled bus connection to Green Bay was among the casualties when the Republican majority on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee removed $15 million for passenger rail service from Gov. The new passenger rail caucus is working on a bill that would make up for what was lost.