Extremely old? Really?? I believe the rail cars it uses are Horizon fleet cars built in 1988-89. They are boxy and are getting a lot of hard miles on them since they were originally designed as commuter cars. They rack up a lot more miles in intercity service. So they may look old, but they're not. The Hoosier State also serves as Amtrak's shuttle train to take rail cars and locomotives from its Chicago hub to its major repair and overhaul facility in Beech Grove, IN -- a SW suburb of Indianapolis. Amtrak got the facility for a bargain (free?) from bankrupt Penn Central RR when it was disposing of assets in the early 1970s. There has been some discussion of relocating it considering how unsupportive Indiana is of passenger rail. If Indiana refuses to support the Hoosier State train, that may be the last straw for Amtrak.

 

Having done quite a few trips on Acela and LOTS of trip in Europe, yes the cars seemed old.  It could also have been the lack of air conditioning, internet, and the fact that the train died at one stop losing power for 45 minutes!  The only thing I felt was missing was 500 farm workers sitting on the roof and perhaps some sheep and goats wandering the aisles!  ;)

Yeah-yeah... Acela is only 10 years younger, and I've ridden/seen older trains in Europe. But the Hoosier State cars you rode weren't built for intercity service. The builder (Bombardier -- maker of the Acela) had the Horizon fleet line in production for at least commuter rail operator at the time so Amtrak piggybacked onto that order to reduce factory setup costs.

The new Sumitomo railcar manufacturing plant in Rochelle, Illinois is in the lead for the 130 car multistate order for higher speed railcars.  Illinois' early investment in the MW regional rail network is beginning to pay off.  These new cars will begin to deploy in 2015.  Soon after there will be excess single level cars for regional routes.  Virginia and NC may be first in line.

 

 

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/sumitomo-eyed-for-multistate-bilevel-order.html?channel=41#.UGWbW64hTTo

 

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Thursday said that, on behalf of the departments of transportation from Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri, it has issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Sumitomo Corp. of America to design, build, and deliver 130 bilevel passenger railcars for use in regional intercity rail corridors in California and the Midwest.

 

The Notice of Intent to Award does not signify that a contract has been awarded, but that a potential vendor has been identified, Caltrans stressed. However, a fully executed agreement is expected to be in place by mid-November.

 

New York-based Sumitomo Corp. of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Corp., submitted a bid of $352.3 million. It has provided bilevel cars to U.S. regional passenger operators, including Virginia Railway Express (photo above) and Chicago-based Metra, as well as single-level passenger equipment to various North American regional passenger railroads.

 

READ MORE AT THE ABOVE LINK

jpIllInoIs, welcome to the forum. Please limit your posting of copyrighted articles to no more than three paragraphs. Thanks for including the article link.

Feel free to share the following........

 

Your comments are needed to change the direction of high-speed rail planning!

 

The Michigan Department of Transportation is seeking public comment in the draft "purpose and need statement" for the Chicago - Detroit Corridor study.  This is the first step towards creating a 20-year master plan for the corridor.

 

The study will focus on designing a new, double-track passenger mainline for the first fifty miles from Chicago to Porter, IN.  This segment is the keystone of the Midwest system.  It will be used for trains to Cleveland and beyond, Columbus and Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, even Champaign and Memphis and possibly St. Louis.

 

Opportunities to do planning of this impact do not occur very often.  It is critical that it be done right.

 

Unfortunately, the draft purpose and need statement, which will direct all planning and construction for the life of the project, does not account for the possibility of 220-mph trains on the Chicago-Porter segment.  DOT officials don't believe that there is sufficient public support for high-speed rail to include it in their plans.

 

Please help me change their minds.

 

To be clear, we aren't saying that the track speeds should be 220-mph for the entire 50 miles.  Nor are we saying that all the work should be done in the first phase, but lets make sure these new tracks can handle 220-mph trains when they come.  And let's believe that that 220-mph trains will be running within the next 20 years.

 

Typically, few comments are received during this early stage of the planning process, so your comment will definitely have an impact.

 

Please click here to make a comment: http://tinyurl.com/9m3q4rq

 

Click here if you would like more background: http://tinyurl.com/8m5f9h9

 

Rick Harnish

Executive Director

Midwest High Speed Rail Association

4765 N Lincoln Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625

both my wife and myself left comments. 

 

 

Ridership on Amtrak train reaches new record high

Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2012

By KAYLEE REMINGTON

[email protected]

@MJ_KRemington

 

ELYRIA — A train that serves stops in Sandusky and Elyria has broken its all-time record of ridership.

 

The Lake Shore Limited, which is operated by Amtrak but uses a privately-owned railroad infrastructure, travels daily between Chicago, New York City and Boston with stops also in South Bend, Indiana; Toledo; Sandusky; Elyria; Cleveland; Erie, Pa., and cities in New York and Massachusetts.

 

In fiscal year 2012, Lake Shore Limited had 403,700 riders, a 33 percent jump from 303,087 riders in 2000. The second highest year of ridership was in 1986 at 387,986. Ken Prendergast, executive director, for All Aboard Ohio-RESTORE, said that the increase from 2000 to 2012 is significant.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/10/16/news/doc507cdba53c61c714233724.txt

All Aboard Ohio raised awareness of this situation with all stakeholders about this but not much was going to happen during the election season. I am happy to report that Elyria's mayor has fired the first salvo to get this situation addressed (a situation caused by some mid-level lawyer at Norfolk Southern). Yet, Amtrak has similar historic stations with pedestrian underpasses for passengers at Greensburg, PA and Johnstown, PA -- both on busy NS lines.....

 

With rail companies’ cooperation, trains could again stop at East Avenue station

Filed by Lisa Roberson November 8th, 2012 in Top Stories.

 

ELYRIA — Mayor Holly Brinda is appealing to two railroad giants to work together to benefit Elyria and possibly the Lorain County Transportation and Community Center.

 

Amtrak is proposing $1 million in improvements to the current station on East Bridge Street. The improvements to the platform also will bring the company into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, Brinda would like to see those improvements moved down the line and incorporated into the county’s transportation center on East Avenue, which is an old train station that underwent a $5 million renovation but largely sits empty.

 

But before that can happen, Brinda said she will have to get Amtrak and Norfolk Southern on the same page. Not only would Amtrak have to agree to change its plans, but Norfolk Southern would have to agree to allow access to pedestrian tunnels beneath its tracks.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2012/11/08/with-rail-companies%E2%80%99-cooperation-trains-could-again-stop-at-east-avenue-station/

I can't even figure out Amtrak on this one.  Ridership would definitely be better at the East Avenue station rather than the current Amshack.  With both track accessible,  Seems like a no brainer for them, if NS would cooperate.  Seems like a no-brainer for NS too  because if Amtrak could use both tracks, it would improve the traffic flow for NS. 

 

 

Amtrak has no choice but to go with their current station site unless NS lets them and Lorain County use their pedestrian underpasses. Amtrak is not the one that has to be figured out here. It's NS.

 

And you're right about the traffic flow. AAO has been pushing to get all stations on the Lake Shore route expanded so that trains can process passengers safely at stations from more than one track.

While ridership on the single daily Chicago-New York City Amtrak train equals ten 737s a day and has shot up 33 percent since 2000, passenger volumes have fallen at all but three airports in between Chicago and East Coast. In some cases, that fall has been dramatic. The reasons aren't due to population changes. Metro area populations served by those airports generally has not changed. Instead, a combination of higher air fares, increased security and other factors are to blame. People are looking for solutions instead flying (and driving, as miles driven in passenger vehicles on U.S. highways fell nearly 10 percent since 2000). Americans are finding their way to a solution for their travel needs, and rail is one of the solutions they are finding.

 

The rate of change of enplanements on regularly scheduled commercial flights at the following airports from 2000-2011 were:

 

Akron-Canton, OH: +107 percent

Huntington, WV: +96 percent

Elmira-Corning, NY: +35 percent

Latrobe-Arnold Palmer, PA: +29 percent

Buffalo-Niagara, NY: +24 percent

Ithaca-Thompkins County, NY: +22 percent

Youngstown-Warren, OH: +17 percent

State College-University Park, PA: +15 percent

Dayton, OH: +7 percent

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA: +4 percent

Charleston, WV: +2 percent

Harrisburg, PA: +2 percent

Indianapolis, IN: -4 percent

Syracuse, NY: -7 percent

Albany, NY: -7 percent

Columbus, OH: -9 percent

Detroit Metro, MI: -9 percent

Allentown-Lehigh Valley, PA: - 13 percent

Binghamton-Link, NY: - 16 percent

Fort Wayne, IN: -22 percent

Newburgh-Stewart, NY: -23 percent

Rochester, NY: -26 percent

Erie, PA: -28 percent

South Bend, IN: -29 percent

Cleveland, OH: -31 percent

Williamsport, PA: -41 percent

Pittsburgh, PA: -59 percent

Cincinnati, OH: -70 percent

Toledo, OH: -71 percent

Altoona-Blair County, PA: -100 percent

Bradford, PA: -100 percent

Detroit City, MI: -100 percent

Du Bois-Jefferson County, PA: -100 percent

Gary-Chicago, IN: -100 percent

Jamestown-Chautauqua County, NY: -100 percent

Johnstown-Cambria County, PA: -100 percent

Lancaster, PA: -100 percent

Parkersburg-Wood County, WV: -100 percent

Port Clinton-Keller, OH: -100 percent

Put-In-Bay, OH: -100 percent

Reading, PA: -100 percent

 

AIRPORTS SHOWN IN BOLD: had 400,000 or more enplanements in 2011, making each an FAA-rated medium hub or larger.

 

SOURCES: Federal Aviation Administration data for the calendar years....

CY 2000: http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy00_primary_rankorder.pdf

CY 2011: http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf

What is your definition of "between Chicago and East Coast"?

What is your definition of "between Chicago and East Coast"?

 

I was showing airports that draw travelers from cities along the Chicago-New York "Lake Shore" route, but Cincinnati certainly qualifies for the overall Chicago-East Coast route since it's on Amtrak's "Cardinal" route.

As well as Indy, and possibly others.

Added more airports to the list, above.

This will also facilitate more reliable and future expansion of the Chicago-Ohio-New York City Amtrak "Lake Shore" service. This service offers just one daily round trip which carried 400,000 riders in 2012. Compare that to the 1 million riders carried on the other 11 daily round trips in the New York-Albany-Buffalo-Niagara Falls route....

 

12/6/2012 9:30:00 AM   

Amtrak, CSX lease agreement takes effect for Hudson Line

 

A long-term lease agreement between Amtrak and CSX Corp. that enables Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., took effect on Dec. 1, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office announced on Tuesday.

 

The contract ensures that passenger-rail service will have scheduling priority on the line and will pave the way for $181 million for four significant rail improvement projects. The improvements are designed to reduce congestion alone the Empire Corridor from New York City to Niagara Falls and improve travel times and reliability for passengers and freight, officials said in a prepared statement.

 

"High-speed rail is a critical part of the transportation network of New York state's future and these four projects made possible by an historic and long-awaited agreement between passenger- and freight-rail partners are another step toward improving New York state's economy by fostering a rail system that is fast, reliable and efficient for business and leisure travelers, as well as for companies shipping goods across the state," Cuomo said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=33564

Clarification: I told the reporter that, at the existing station, if passengers get on/off trains using tracks other than the one closest to the station platform then it would not be safe. Apparently she did not have the room to explain all of that. I also said that if Amtrak could safely board passengers from more than one track at Elyria, then rail traffic would flow more freely on this NS-owned rail line which hosts about 90 trains a day, so NS has something to gain by moving Amtrak to the Lorain County Transportation Center....

 

Sherrod Brown seeks relocation of Amtrak service

Published: Friday, December 07, 2012

By KAYLEE REMINGTON

[email protected]

@MJ_KRemington

 

COLUMBUS — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is asking Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Corporation to relocate Amtrak service to the Lorain County Transportation and Community Center.

 

“Moving Amtrak service to the Lorain County Transit Center would be a tremendous step forward in our efforts to revitalize downtown Elyria and provide a common sense solution to the problems posed by the current station which has no amenities and very little space,” Brown wrote in the letter to Amtrak’s president Joe Boardman.

 

Brown told Boardman he believes that Amtrak should make use of the recent $5 million renovation of the transportation center, rather than spending to upgrade its current Elyria stop.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/12/07/news/doc50c17507d395a408962862.txt

Make this train daily, adjust the schedule, extend it to Cincinnati, speed up its entry to Chicago (build Harvey Connection) and speed it up between Cincy and Indy (improve grade crossing signals):

 

With Amtrak's Hoosier State service set to end, Greater Lafayette officials fight to keep it going

5:02 PM, Dec 15, 2012

Written by Chris Morisse Vizza

 

While Amtrak trains carry travelers to their holiday destinations, negotiations continue on funding for a key passenger rail line between Indianapolis and Chicago.  In September, Amtrak announced that the Hoosier State service would cease in October 2013 because Indiana had not agreed to take over funding the route.

 

Talks between federal and state agencies are alive and well, according to state Rep. Randy Truitt, R-West Lafayette.  “I want to get out the word that INDOT has not said ‘no’ to anything,” Truitt said, referring to the Indiana Department of Transportation. “I want the public to know INDOT has been very supportive in the dialogue about how to fund this service, which the federal government has said it will not pay for after Oct. 1, 2013.”

 

The issue was sparked by a congressional act that requires states to take over the cost of operating passenger rail routes shorter than 750 miles.  The Hoosier State falls into that category, operating four days a week between Indianapolis and Chicago.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.jconline.com/article/20121214/NEWS02/312140044?nclick_check=1

Nice comment section. Indianans sound like Ohioans.

Nice comment section. Indianans sound like Ohioans.

 

Most comment sections are havens of racism, ignorance and rudeness. If you can't moderate them, then require posters to register with publicly accessible e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

 

It's why I never bother reading them.

You're right. It's even true on blue state newspapers. Apparently all the radical racist right wingers LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE internet comment sections. At least it is almost a crack in their echo chamber.

Make this train daily, adjust the schedule, extend it to Cincinnati, speed up its entry to Chicago (build Harvey Connection) and speed it up between Cincy and Indy (improve grade crossing signals):

 

I completely agree.

 

BTW, someone asked on one of our Facebook pages what they can do to help. This was my suggestion:

 

Contact Cincinnati City Council. The best person is council's Transportation Committee Chair Roxanne Qualls at 513-352-3604 [email protected]. Then contact the Lafayette Indiana Chamber of Commerce at 765-742-4044 [email protected] and urge that they support a plan of action such as this: http://freepdfhosting.com/42517547bb.pdf

I love that plan.  I'd like to add a source to it before emailing it.  Did you write it?

I love that plan.  I'd like to add a source to it before emailing it.  Did you write it?

 

Thanks. Yes I did. Source it to All Aboard Ohio's suggested plan. BTW, I spotted a few typos in it. Please use this version:

http://freepdfhosting.com/42517547bb.pdf

Is it possible that Steve Chabot's (R-Cincinnati) amendment to the surface transportation bill could prevent this service from being implemented at Union Terminal in Cincinnati?

No, because the amendment applies only to FY2013 and nothing will likely change with the Hoosier State train until at least the start of FY2014 (on Oct. 1, 2013). If there is a Cincinnati extension, it will take longer than that to build the infrastructure needed to permit the extension (layover track at Cincinnati Union Terminal) and to make it a faster, more attractive train service (lengthen the crossing circuits on CSX between Indianapolis and Hamilton).

 

BTW, in case anyone was wondering what it means to "Lengthen the crossing the circuits", allow me to explain. Passenger train speeds on CSX's Hamilton Subdivision between Indianapolis and Hamilton are limited to 60 mph because the "triggers" that activate the flashers and gates at road crossings aren't far enough away from the crossings. So if an Amtrak train was sped up to 79 mph, its locomotive could be passing through the crossing while the gates are still coming down. To prevent this and to provide sufficient warning time for motorists, the triggers would have to be moved farther from the crossing in both directions.

 

But since freight train speeds would probably remain at 40 mph, this can create a problem. If the crossing triggers are extended for a 79 mph passenger train and a 40 mph freight train shows up, then motorists will be waiting longer at the crossing for the freight train to show up. Humans being impatient creatures, some will be tempted to drive around the gates and into the path of the approaching train. If their only experience is with slower freight trains, then they may become conditioned to drive around the gates. And what if it really is a fast passenger train showing up this time? This increases the potential for crashes and fatalities.

 

The answer is computer circuitry called "Constant Warning Time." When added to lengthened crossing circuits, it calculates the speed of the passing train and activates the crossing's flashers and gates with the same advanced warning time regardless of how fast the train is going.

 

To lengthen crossing circuits combined with Constant Warning Time equipment typically costs about $50,000 per crossing. On average, there is one road crossing per mile on most rail lines east of the Mississippi. CSX's Hamilton Subdivision is about 100 miles long. So I estimate it will cost about $5 million to increase Amtrak train speeds to 79 mph on most straight sections of track between Indianapolis and Hamilton. I would expect this could eliminate 20 minutes of travel time.

Today’s blog post by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

 

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2012/12/fra-records-of-decision-push-midwest-high-speed-rail-closer-to-reality.html#.UNItR2_O3A1

 

FRA Records of Decision push Midwest high-speed rail closer to reality

 

It's been quite a year for passenger rail in the Midwest, and it just got even better. Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration issued two Records of Decision that open the door further for improved passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis.

 

In one of the decisions, the FRA selected the Metra Rock Island Corridor as the most efficient route between Joliet and Chicago. And in the other, the FRA chose a consolidated route along 10th Street through Springfield.

 

With these decisions, required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor is eligible to compete for future federal funding.

 

That could mean new trains, better on-time performance, and improved speed, frequency, and reliability along this increasingly popular line. The right upgrades will ultimately reduce travel time between these two important cities to less than four hours.

 

This represents a major step forward, both for the State of Illinois and the Midwest as a whole. In addition to giving travelers a better, faster rail experience, future enhancements to the Midwest Regional Rail Network will also create jobs and strengthen the region’s manufacturing base.

 

We've already seen rail manufacturing in Illinois ramping up and adding jobs thanks to increasing demand for passenger rail. These Records of Decision represent a potential boost for Midwestern suppliers of rail materials and equipment and the workers they employ.

 

In November, Amtrak on the portion of the corridor between Dwight and Pontiac. By 2015, completed construction projects will allow for speeds of 110 mph for over 70 percent of the corridor.

 

As FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo said, “Today’s decisions identify the alignment for the next-generation of Chicago-St. Louis service. It's another major win for the Midwest states as they move forward with their vision to connect 40 of their largest cities with fast, frequent, and reliable rail service.”

 

The Illinois DOT has received more than $1.4 billion in federal funds to develop high-speed rail service between Chicago and St. Louis and build the next generation of American-made trains. Included in these investments are track, equipment, and signaling improvements for 110 mph passenger rail service, as well as station enhancements.

 

A new multi-modal train station in Normal and promise of 110-mph service has already attracted more than $200 million in private investments to the downtown Normal area, an example of how rail investment attracts economic growth. Future rail investments along the Chicago to St. Louis corridor will spur additional economic activity across Illinois in towns where new or newly-renovated stations are under development or in the planning stages.

 

It's all part of President Obama's vision for high-speed rail in America. It's a vision we share here at DOT, and I'm happy to see the FRA's latest action helping push that vision ever closer to reality.

 

###

Ridership also rose 33 percent since 2000 on the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland-East Coast train service....

 

Rising Midwest train travelers stoke high-speed rail

By Matt Mikus [email protected]

Updated: January 8, 2013 2:37AM

 

More travelers are considering trains to travel between cities in the Midwest, spurring new efforts to upgrade to higher-speed travel along Amtrak rails.

 

Ridership of inter-city rail on Amtrak routes in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan grew 35 percent from 2007-2012, according to Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission calculations.

 

In February, the rail service installed new safety systems that allow trains to reach up to 110 mph between the town of Porter in Northwest Indiana and Kalamazoo, Mich. The Chicago-to-St. Louis route began operating at 111 mph in October.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/17388936-418/rising-midwest-train-travelers-stoke-high-speed-rail.html

This should help keep freight trains out of the way of Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited, Empire Service trains, and any added passenger trains linking Chicago - Ohio - New York City....

____________

 

From: "Phil Dutcher"

To: "CSX_Albany_GreatLakesDivision Copy"

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:05:11

Subject: [CSX_Albany_GreatLakesDivision] CSX Expansion Announcement

 

From CSX….

 

Capacity Project Announced on Premier River Line

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – January 21, 2013 – CSX today announced a major track capacity expansion on its premier River Line between northern New Jersey and the Albany, N.Y., region. The $26 million project, with plans for additional River Line capacity expansion in future years, will enable CSX to handle more trains and support the growth of crude oil moving by rail, intermodal shipments, automobiles and other businesses while maintaining strong service performance.

 

A total of 18 miles of second track will be constructed over the next two to three years that will create additional capacity on the Hudson River’s west shore. Preliminary work to prepare the sites in New York State at Ravena-Coxsackie, Catskill and Haverstraw is already complete with construction to beg in early this year.

 

In addition, CSX continues to invest in terminals, clearance projects and other initiatives to prepare for near- and long-term growth in the Northeast Region, including Philadelphia’s Trenton Line where clearance projects are under way. These projects complement other network capacity improvements including ongoing construction of the National Gateway to clear a route from Mid-Atlantic ports to the Midwest for double-stacked containers.

 

“It’s critically important that we be prepared to meet our customer’s needs as they grow,” said Clarence Gooden, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “The River Line is a key lane for growth and will further contribute to economic development as well as environmental benefits through CSX’s terrific fuel efficiency.”

 

Capacity on the River Line was last expanded in 2005. Consistent growth in rail traffic on the line over the last several years, along with growth projections, now warrant additional investment to further increase the corridor’s capacity. The River Line is part of CSX’s premier I-90 corridor that connects Chicago with New York, northern New Jersey, and the Philadelphia areas, and supports some of the network’s highest velocity and volumes – much like when it existed as the centerpiece of the predecessor New York Central System.

 

“We continually model our growth projections to ensure that we are fully leveraging our network capacity,” said Oscar Munoz, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Today, we have sufficient capacity for our near-term growth projections, and the capacity expansion initiatives will ensure we’re prepared for additional demand for our services. Demand for crude oil, for example, in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area may be as much as five trains per day, or over 400,000 barrels, o ver the next couple of years. Our capacity initiatives give us the capability to handle this growth along with business opportunities in our merchandise, automotive and intermodal sectors.”

 

CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation’s leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company’s transportation network spans approximately 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX’s network connects more than 240 short line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

 

Contact:

 

Gary Sease

1 (877) TELL-CSX

(1-877-835-5279)

 

Amtrak Train Hits Record 111 mph in Test Run

Saturday, 20 Oct 2012 11:13 AM

 

For the first time on a key Midwestern route between Chicago and St. Louis, an Amtrak passenger train topped 110 mph Friday, ripping through fog-shrouded farm fields and blowing past cars on a parallel highway.

 

The test run on a special train packed with journalists, politicians and transportation officials was a milestone in President Barack Obama's vision of bringing high-speed rail to the United States and transforming the way Americans travel.

 

It also was a welcome morale booster for high-speed rail advocates who have watched conservatives in Congress put the brakes on spending for fast train projects they view as expensive boondoggles.

 

 

Read More at: http://www.newsmax.com/SciTech/Amtrak-111-high-speed/2012/10/20/id/460753#ixzz2ItUtGK00

 

Just catching up on your October articles?

Just catching up on your October articles?

 

Yup....but worth reminding people what's going on just two states say, I guess.

Note that Ohio manufacturers, more than those in any other Midwest state, would benefit from investment in high speed rail. The reason? More legacy rail industry suppliers are here in Ohio. But Ohio travelers still cannot benefit, based on continuing disinterest by many state officials as noted in the latest Ohio Department of Transportation budget proposal.

 

"So Ohioans will build 'em, we just can't ride 'em" is my reaction. KJP

_________

 

ELPC Releases Midwest High-Speed Rail Supply Chain Report

Friday, February 8, 2013

 

A new report released today by the Environmental Law & Policy Center shows investment in the next generation of rail would increase rail manufacturing and jobs throughout the industrial Midwest.

 

“Manufacturers across the heartland stand ready to build a 21st century transportation system for America. By investing in high-speed rail, we can revitalize manufacturing, increase mobility, create jobs and reduce pollution.”

 

The study profiles manufacturers and supply chain companies in the Midwest that are ready to begin making parts and putting people to work improving existing rail systems in the US. This includes 122 in Ohio, 99 in Indiana, 49 in Michigan, 84 in Illinois, 73 in Wisconsin, 26 in Minnesota and 7 in Iowa.

 

The complete report is online at and can be accessed here: http://elpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/HSR-Supply-Chain-Report-ELPC1.pdf

 

Manufacturers in the Midwest and beyond are ready and waiting to produce the components and materials needed to usher in America’s next generation of rail, and long-term federal and state government investment is the catalyst for a manufacturing renaissance in the industrial Midwest.

 

In addition to jobs and economic benefits for the region, a modernized Chicago-hubbed Midwest Network would provide passengers with fast affordable rail service to cities across the Midwest. Travel times between major cities will fall from 30 to 50 percent.

 

 

Kevin Brubaker

Deputy Director

Environmental Law & Policy Center (www.elpc.org) (www.highspeedrailworks.org)

35 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1600

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 673-6500

 

High-Speed Rail Infrastructure Investing

 

Friday, February 8th, 2013

It's not often I agree with the folks in Washington... but in the case of a recent comment made by soon-to-be former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, I will make an exception.

 

In a recent interview, LaHood told a reporter, “For the first time since people have been looking at infrastructure, America is behind. We are behind other countries because other countries are making the investments that we used to make.”

 

Although I often rail against excessive taxation and an overbearing government, I do agree that some basic necessities must be collectively paid for — such as the military, road construction, and basic infrastructure needs.

 

Unfortunately, due to mountains of waste and mismanagement, when it comes time to pony up for these basic necessities, the government starts frantically looking under couch cushions and digging in our pockets for spare change.

 

Read more at:

http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/high-speed-rail-infrastructure-investing/3047

There hasn't been a post on this thread since Jul 6, 2012. "The darkest hour is that before dawn."

There hasn't been a post on this thread since Jul 6, 2012. "The darkest hour is that before dawn."

 

But on this subject I don't believe the sunrise is coming anytime soon.

There hasn't been a post on this thread since Jul 6, 2012. "The darkest hour is that before dawn."

 

But on this subject I don't believe the sunrise is coming anytime soon.

 

Nope. Just trying to put a good face on a bad situation.

A good place have a good face for passenger rail expansion in Ohio is here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6637.msg645748.html#msg645748

A good place have a good face for passenger rail expansion in Ohio is here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6637.msg645748.html#msg645748

 

Indeed. We don't give up. We adapt.

A lot of good things are happening with the New York-Buffalo-Cleveland-Toledo-Chicago corridor and the beauty is that we don't have to deal with Kasich.

http://www.idothsr.org/

http://www.idothsr.org/pdf/amtrak-illinois-2013-construction-phase%201-atk-13-078.pdf

 

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad are performing another phase of upgrades

to Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future 110 mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains.

 

The construction work includes the installation of new premium rail with concrete ties

and stone ballast; upgrades to bridges, culverts and drainage; signal and wayside equipment

installations and upgrades; and roadway-rail grade crossing improvements.

 

For eight days starting August 16, bridge and culvert upgrades north of Bloomington-

Normal will lead Amtrak to charter buses for Lincoln Service (Trains 300-307) passengers at

St.Louis, Alton, Carlinville, Springfield, Lincoln, Normal, Pontiac, Dwight, Joliet and Summit, Ill.

Amtrak Texas Eagle(Trains 21/321/421 & 22/322/422) will detour between Chicago and St.

Louis for the same period, with alternate transportation in both directions

between Joliet and St.Louis.

 

Two more phases of planned 2013 construction will also require substitute transportation.

In order to expedite travel between Chicago and downstate, many of the buses will connect to and from

Amtrak Illini and Saluki trains in Champaign-Urbana to avoid Chicago suburban highway congestion and downtown

Chicago traffic. Schedules and a notice about this disruption are available at stations and displayed as

part of the booking process on Amtrak.com.

 

These infrastructure improvements will allow Union Pacific crews to enable Amtrak to operate service at speeds up to 110 mph, an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph in effect over most of the route. Starting last Thanksgiving, the Dwight to Pontiac segment

became the first part of the corridor to regularly experience trains traveling at speeds up to 110 mph

You may wish to share this, especially in light of growing interest in Chicago-Fort Wayne-Lima-Columbus passenger rail service......

 

The future of rail in Ohio - WOSU 89.7FM

All Sides with Ann Fisher:

 

DATE: Tuesday, July 30

TIME: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT

TOPIC: The future of rail in Ohio

 

Guests are:

Ken Prendergast, Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio;

David Berger, the mayor of Lima, Ohio;

Terry Casey, a republican strategist;

Ross Capon, the president and CEO of the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

 

Listen live, get podcasts, call in, or e-mail comments/questions at http://wosu.org/2012/allsides/

Big jump from the last article to this one as much as gone on, but lost to the server crash. So here is some very good news.....

 

Amtrak on board with station relocation

Filed on August 1, 2013 by Lisa Roberson

 

ELYRIA — Amtrak has made an offer of $2.9 million toward further rehabilitation of the renovated Lorain County Transportation Center so passenger rail service may return to the structure.

 

Of course, this is all contingent on Norfolk Southern Railway allowing such work to be done on the rail lines it owns, but county officials are hopeful a financial commitment from Amtrak — something the commissioners have been working on for years — will sweeten negotiations.

 

“This is a good project, just something I would describe as very tenuous at best,” Commissioner Ted Kalo said. “But any step forward, and that is exactly what this is, is a good step.”

 

The money will be used to help fund much-needed improvements at the facility that have impeded use of the building as the county’s transportation hub with Amtrak as the anchor. They include low-level platform and station improvements on both the south and the north tracks, and possibly an elevator at each platform from the passenger tunnels to permit safe passenger access to the platforms.

 

See more at: http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/08/01/amtrak-on-board-with-station-relocation/#sthash.NXAdSaJy.dpuf

And now the Lorain Morning Journal chimes in....

 

Amtrak to give $2.9 million to improve Lorain County Transportation Center

Published: Friday, August 02, 2013

By Kaylee Remington

[email protected]

@MJ_KRemington

 

ELYRIA — Amtrak has agreed to give Lorain County $2.9 million for improvements to the Lorain County Transportation Center so the center can become a passenger train stop.

 

Joe McHugh, vice president of government affairs and corporate communications for Amtrak, wrote a letter to Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo asking Lorain County to work with Amtrak to create an agreement to transfer the existing River Road train station in Elyria to the Lorain County Transportation Center.

 

McHugh wrote Amtrak is aware of the investment that Lorain County has made at the transportation center. The company has worked to find a way to use the facility for passenger rail at a reasonable cost.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2013/08/02/news/doc51fa75878c0f3470470314.txt?viewmode=2

Megabus starting CLE-Columbus-Cincy service 2x daily.  Given that Greyhound already serves this market, this is growing evidence of market demand for non-aviation service between the 3C's. What may not be clear is that they are different services, though. One may take the train, but never the bus, so if the Megabus routes do well, the rail line would definitely do well (priced accordingly).

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2013/08/megabus_adds_routes_from_cleve.html

 

Interesting:  Megabus is also offering new service between Cleveland and Atlanta. But this trip isn't for those in a hurry, taking 151/2 hours, with stops in Lexington, Ky.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Chattanooga, Tenn....Other new cities served by Megabus: Erie, Pa.; and Buffalo, N.Y...The additions transform Cleveland into one of the company's 10 hubs, with 15 cities now accessible..."

Megabus-only posts were moved to:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4658.0.html

Ohioans are encouraged to attend this meeting to make our case for extending service to Cincinnati! Ohio's case is made here:

http://allaboardohio.org/2013/05/18/extend-the-hoosier-train-to-cincy/

___________

 

News.......

 

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=60810

Lafayette Chamber Plans Amtrak Summit

August 12, 2013

News Release

 

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A statewide "all aboard" call is going out to draw attendance at a free Amtrak Summit, Wednesday, August 21, in Lafayette, Ind., where implications of the pending loss of some Indiana passenger rail service will be discussed and ideas formulated on what concerned individuals, businesses and organizations can do to preserve it.

 

Registration begins with a train whistle at 8 a.m., with opening summit remarks by Indiana State Senator Brandt Hershman at 8:30 a.m., at Faith Community Center, 5526 State Road 26 East, Lafayette, Ind. The center is just east of the Interstate 65/State Road 26 interchange. Reservations are not required for the free event, but appreciated, by calling (765) 742-4044 or responding at http://tinyurl.com/ktdsc5t.

 

The primary focus will be the Amtrak Hoosier State Indianapolis/Chicago passenger route, which could cease October 1, 2013, if state funding is not secured to preserve the service. The pending cessation comes under the Federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, passed by Congress and requiring state assistance rather than federal funding for passenger train routes of less than 750 miles.

 

While the Indiana General Assembly's current budget approved the Indiana Department of Transportation's use of discretionary funds to support the Hoosier State, the department has not committed the monies.

 

"Time is running short," said Joseph Seaman, president and chief executive officer of Greater Lafayette Commerce, an area economic development group that is spearheading a group of numerous communities and organizations involved in hosting the summit.

 

"This summit will bring together interested parties so the best course of action for Indiana can be determined and actions taken," Seaman said.

 

Speakers and panelists include government, community and industry representatives. Among them are Ray Lang, Amtrak's senior director of state and local government affairs; keynote speaker Tim Hoeffner, director of the Office of Rail, Michigan Department of Transportation, and vice chair, Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission; and Randy Truitt, 26th District State Representative.

 

Among the industry representatives participating in a panel discussion are Eric Angermeier, Nanshan America general manager, and Fred Lanahan, Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association. Government speakers include mayors Todd Baron, Crawfordsville; John Dennis, West Lafayette; Tony Roswarski, Lafayette; and Stephen Wood, Rensselaer. Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh and others also will present.

 

The Indianapolis/Chicago route, one of the busiest in the Midwest, carried 37,000 passengers in 2012. Currently both the Hoosier State and the Cardinal cover the route, together providing service seven days a week, with stops in Crawfordsville, Dyer, Lafayette and Rensselaer, Ind..

 

If the Hoosier State is dropped, the Cardinal will be the only train on the route, running from Indianapolis to Chicago on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and from Chicago to Indianapolis on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

"We encourage attendance from all over the state," Seaman said. "What happens on October 1 could impact the future of high-speed rail service, quality-of-life enhancement efforts in the state, business and employee recruitment, the tax base, and state and local economies. Whatever happens, we want it to be a proactive decision, not simply an expiration of a deadline that went unaddressed."

 

More information is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/savethehoosierstate. Groups wishing to obtain more information may contact Greater Lafayette Commerce,

(765) 742-4044.

 

About Greater Lafayette Commerce

 

Headquartered at 337 Columbia St. in Lafayette, Greater Lafayette Commerce (www.greaterlafayettecommerce.com), whose roots go back more than 85 years, is a nonprofit membership organization supported by local businesses, industries and governments. Its mission is to advance economic and community prosperity for a superior quality of life.

 

Source: Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=60810

The Chicago-Ohio-NYC Lake Shore is real sold-out issue. It carried a record 40,061 passengers in July, or 1,300 per day. Think about how many sold-out flights or buses it would take to carry the same number of passengers as this one train per day in each direction (hint: a 737 jet has up to 145 seats and a double-deck Megabus has 81 seats). More trains are desperately needed between Chicago-Ohio-New York City!

 

http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Albany-New-York-City-Amtrak-run-carries-99-801-in-4732824.php?utm_source=Gridlock+Sam+e-News+081613&utm_campaign=GS+e-Newsletter&utm_medium=email