Advocates for bringing passenger rail service back to Fort Wayne have a message for Gov. Mitch Daniels: Don't let Indiana be left behind when the federal stimulus train leaves the station.

Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, spoke on behalf of a dozen representatives of passenger-rail groups and local officials who met Friday afternoon when he explained that the next step toward bringing rail service back to Fort Wayne rests with state government. The state has to submit a “pre-application” for stimulus funding next month. Then in August, he said, the state needs to follow through with a full application for a share of $8 billion in funding for rail service included in the $787 billion stimulus bill.

Harnish said the Friday meeting at the Baker Street Station, 221 W. Baker St., was devoted to developing a plan to build political support for building a rail line through northwest Indiana dedicated to passenger service. He said that is a key to restoring rail service here.

Amtrak passenger trains last served Fort Wayne nearly 20 years ago.