Just now, Boomerang_Brian said:

Not a single place to sit in that rendering. Our country is so bad at transportation projects. 

 

 

nah, there is plenty of seating -- seating is in waiting areas for ticketed customers -- and in restaurants and the like.

 

you are aware that in penn loitering is huge issue, so it won't be going back to the current penn or old wide open pennsylvania train hall days.

 

it seems to me that like with the moynihan train hall they have found a way out of that issue, especially as more retail and restaurants open.

 

otoh, its in the future, so it remains to be seen how it works out.

 

also, keeping in mind seating is horrible all over nyc in general, not just in transit stations. the big picture of the lack of benches along the streets is outrageously inhuman. you usually have to find a freakin park to sit down. hopefully they close more of lower broadway in manhattan for more pedestrian seating, because that has been the one bright spot in the city for dealing with this issue.

The photos show people prefer to sit near their train's gate/stairwell. I think they like to physically see when their train starts boarding. Same deal with planes at the airport. So why not oblige them and provide them with seating in the hall?

1 hour ago, KJP said:

The photos show people prefer to sit near their train's gate/stairwell. I think they like to physically see when their train starts boarding. Same deal with planes at the airport. So why not oblige them and provide them with seating in the hall?

 

 

you mean via that render? i dk penn south just went out for rfp's for designs, so we will see.

 

i imagine there will be comfortable ticketed waiting areas nearby and retail places to sit and watch, just like moynihan hall has.

 

they will also continue have the big boards and clocks hopefully.

 

otherwise, no afaik there will be no seating directly right next to the entryways.

 

for one thing, i think security wants a clear, long look at passengers heading to trains at that final point and doesn't want the view cluttered up with distractive seating and inevitable homeless havens.

 

also, keep in mind it's not the same an airport at all, you dont go through any security, train stations are wide open to the public.

Based on photos

Well, it’s something …

“Top speed on the Acela trains has been increased to 150 mph on the 16-mile section of track, nicknamed the raceway, on the Northeast Corridor line between New Brunswick and South Brunswick, Amtrak officials announced Tuesday. Acela speed limits on that section had been roughly 135 mph up to now.”

 

 

More info - and maps! - on the Chicago passenger rail infrastructure improvement proposals. 
 

https://hsrail.org/blog/amtraks-plans-chicago-will-vastly-improve-train-travel-across-america

 

…

There is a mismatch between the best route options into Chicago and the routes Amtrak uses. Better, less congested options are largely inaccessible because they don’t connect with the tracks running into and out of CUS.

Fortunately, the St. Charles Air Line offers a relatively simple solution. It’s a half-mile stretch of track not far south of the station.

Amtrak has proposed the following group of projects to make use of this asset:

A) A new ramp up to the St. Charles Airline.

B) A faster connection to the Rock Island, combined with a new platform at Joliet.

C) Purchasing and upgrading the CN-owned Lakefront Line to Kensington, in the Pullman neighborhood.
…

 

 

13 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Well, it’s something …

“Top speed on the Acela trains has been increased to 150 mph on the 16-mile section of track, nicknamed the raceway, on the Northeast Corridor line between New Brunswick and South Brunswick, Amtrak officials announced Tuesday. Acela speed limits on that section had been roughly 135 mph up to now.”

 

 

 

 

that's great news if it happens -- i'll believe it when i see it lol

When I was a young man learning about passenger rail, I heard about the Northeast Corridor raceway and tried looking it up on a map. I saw Rahway, NJ and thought they misspelled it...

On 6/15/2022 at 7:56 AM, mrnyc said:

 

 

that's great news if it happens -- i'll believe it when i see it lol

Here you go…

 

Bad news out of Texas. This reinforces what the long term passenger rail advocates have been saying - start with good-enough and then improve speeds. Brightline model has been more successful so far. 

 

http://dlvr.it/SSGC9s
 

The death of Texas high-speed rail

Texas Central high-speed rail looks pretty much dead based on recent news of the CEO's departure(Chronicle). Some key items from the articles:

A Spanish news site in Madrid, “La Informacion,” reported that the entire management team of Texas Central has departed, and the project has entered “a hibernation phase in search for financing.” ...

“The unorthodox LinkedIn announcement speaks to the company’s lack of staff, lack of resources, and lack of leadership, with no successful path forward. No money, no permits, no progress…. It is abundantly clear that this project is more than dead in the water, especially when the captain jumps ship,” he added. ...

Their press release included hints that the agreement between Japan and Texas Central may not be as solid as once accepted. 

The District of Columbia would like $6 billion of the fed's rail money for a buffed up Union Station.  Here's a longitudinal plan.

 

 

More renderings at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/06/16/union-station-dc-redevelopment-photos/

More DC Union Station details:

 

Maine Loves Its Train. Can Other States Follow in Its Tracks?

The state knew something special had to happen if it wanted to revive intercity passenger rail service. A coalition of political and private support created the highly successful Downeaster.

 

https://www.governing.com/now/maine-loves-its-train-can-other-states-follow-in-its-tracks

On 6/16/2022 at 2:36 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

Bad news out of Texas. This reinforces what the long term passenger rail advocates have been saying - start with good-enough and then improve speeds. Brightline model has been more successful so far. 

 

http://dlvr.it/SSGC9s
 

The death of Texas high-speed rail

Texas Central high-speed rail looks pretty much dead based on recent news of the CEO's departure(Chronicle). Some key items from the articles:

A Spanish news site in Madrid, “La Informacion,” reported that the entire management team of Texas Central has departed, and the project has entered “a hibernation phase in search for financing.” ...

“The unorthodox LinkedIn announcement speaks to the company’s lack of staff, lack of resources, and lack of leadership, with no successful path forward. No money, no permits, no progress…. It is abundantly clear that this project is more than dead in the water, especially when the captain jumps ship,” he added. ...

Their press release included hints that the agreement between Japan and Texas Central may not be as solid as once accepted. 

 

They made the classic mistake of going the very high speed/very high cost route, without (AFAIK) a real estate development component. No doubt FTW-DAL-HOU would be a heavily used corridor but it would not pay back enough to service tens of billions in debt. I am absolutely convinced that the Brightline model is the most workable alternative for most US corridors. The greatest exception to that might be California, where the amount of traffic and the greater distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco make VHSR more viable and necessary.

Edited June 19, 20222 yr by neony

So this is what a pro-rail governor and state looks like, in case you were wondering. And they worked with NS to get their buy-in.....

 

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-commonwealth-norfolk-southern-operating-agreement-to-expand-western-pa-passenger-rail-access/

 

Governor Wolf Announces Commonwealth, Norfolk Southern Operating Agreement to Expand Western Pa. Passenger-Rail Access

June 27, 2022

 

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) have reached an agreement to expand passenger rail access in western Pennsylvania. The milestone follows a February 2022 announcement that the parties would jointly examine opportunities to eliminate chokepoints and improve Pennsylvania's rail system to better permit freight and passenger trains to operate together.

 

"Rail is critical in Pennsylvania and I'm pleased that we're moving quickly to deliver these long-needed improvements," Gov. Wolf said. "This is another example of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and our strong state-funding position ensuring we can bring more mobility and economic benefits to these communities."

 

Currently, the Pennsylvanian Amtrak service travels roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg once daily. The agreement that Norfolk Southern and PennDOT developed anticipates increasing those Pennsylvanian passenger services to twice a day. Eastbound service would depart Pittsburgh at 7:00 AM and 12:30 PM and westbound service would depart Harrisburg at 9:41 AM and 4:40 PM.

 

To support these expanded passenger operations, the commonwealth will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern. The future improvements and construction will stem from a previously released Norfolk Southern operational feasibility study (PDF) and includes upgraded rail lines, passenger platforms, sidings, and necessary communications signals infrastructure.

 

PennDOT will redirect state Multimodal Transportation Fund dollars to fund the project, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's (BIL) funding is intended to replace train sets on the Amtrak passenger-rail network. PennDOT had been setting aside funding to meet requirements from a 2008 federal law for Pennsylvania's contribution toward train set costs. Additionally, PennDOT anticipates applying for additional BIL funds to support station and platform improvements along the route.

 

Over the past four months, PennDOT and Norfolk Southern collaborated to develop the operating agreement framework and finalized the improvements necessary to increase passenger-rail service on the Norfolk Southern-owned corridor between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. The parties anticipate a final definitive agreement to be developed by the end of 2022. Construction can begin after the definitive agreement is executed, with the new service anticipated to start within three years of the definitive agreement's execution.

 

"This is an excellent example of the positive solutions that government and business can engineer by working side-by-side toward the same goal. Together, we are able to expand passenger rail access, while preserving a critical artery of our nation's supply chain. This truly is a model for future public-private rail agreements," said Norfolk Southern Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan.

 

The Pennsylvanian is a key passenger rail route connecting the citizens of the Keystone State from east to west, and, in conjunction with the Capitol Limited, with Cleveland, Chicago and beyond. The Pennsylvanian travels Norfolk Southern's Pittsburgh Line, which is part of the Premier Corridor, a main artery for double-stack intermodal traffic moving between Chicago and metropolitan New York. It is one of the busiest and fastest links on Norfolk Southern's network, connecting with major terminals in Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley. In a typical year, more than half of Norfolk Southern's time-sensitive parcel and less-than-truckload shipments use the route at some point. The company's trains deliver or pick up freight at 140-plus stations along the corridor, serving more than 800 customers.

 

Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads – the most of any state in the country – and ranks fifth in total track mileage with more than 5,600 miles. The 2020 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan (PDF) reported that in 2017, 193.5 million tons of freight in 4.9 million railcars moved over the state's rail transportation system.

 

More information on PennDOT's efforts to improve intercity passenger rail in Pennsylvania is available on the Plan the Keystone website.

 

https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-commonwealth-norfolk-southern-operating-agreement-to-expand-western-pa-passenger-rail-access/

 

On 6/16/2022 at 2:36 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

Bad news out of Texas. This reinforces what the long term passenger rail advocates have been saying - start with good-enough and then improve speeds. Brightline model has been more successful so far. 

 

http://dlvr.it/SSGC9s
 

The death of Texas high-speed rail

Texas Central high-speed rail looks pretty much dead based on recent news of the CEO's departure(Chronicle). Some key items from the articles:

A Spanish news site in Madrid, “La Informacion,” reported that the entire management team of Texas Central has departed, and the project has entered “a hibernation phase in search for financing.” ...

“The unorthodox LinkedIn announcement speaks to the company’s lack of staff, lack of resources, and lack of leadership, with no successful path forward. No money, no permits, no progress…. It is abundantly clear that this project is more than dead in the water, especially when the captain jumps ship,” he added. ...

Their press release included hints that the agreement between Japan and Texas Central may not be as solid as once accepted. 

 

But today the Texas Supreme Court gave Texas Central a big win -- the right to use eminent domain to obtain the right-of-way. 

https://hsrail.org/blog/houston-dallas-bullet-train-project-scores-big-court-win

 

Too little, too late?

3 hours ago, Foraker said:

 

But today the Texas Supreme Court gave Texas Central a big win -- the right to use eminent domain to obtain the right-of-way. 

https://hsrail.org/blog/houston-dallas-bullet-train-project-scores-big-court-win

 

Too little, too late?

If it meant they could drastically reduce reliance on viaducts, that would help bring the cost down a lot. I’m not informed enough to know if it’s still actually moving ahead. 

The previous Brightline Disney station was going to be a stub-end, which is negative for operations compared to a through running station. Perhaps Disney backing out will result in a better alignment. 
 

 

 

nyc to dc in an hour —

a maglev push:

 

https://northeastmaglev.com/lp/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=ga&utm_campaign=summer-nec-ny&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6cWJx9Dd-AIVRbKfCh3mVgFXEAEYASAAEgJto_D_BwE

After 69 years, tiny little Vermont got trains restored to Burlington proper (they had service on The Vermonter route through nearby Essex Junction for years) thanks to the state of Vermont sponsoring it. Something Ohio cannot seem to do.... 

BTW why do Ethan Allen and the Vermonter head south and return north to/from the Burlington area at roughly the same time?? Why not offer a wider variety of departure/arrival choices??

 

 

CAHSR keeps moving along:

 

now ne florida commuter rail:

 

 

 

Commuter rail gains steam from Jax to St. Augustine

 

WJCT News | By Dan Scanlan - Florida Times-Union

 

Published July 27, 2022 at 11:27 AM EDT

 

 

Here's what you face now if you commute to a job from Jacksonville to St. Johns County or vice-versa: about 54,000 people driving daily to either growing community and thousands more estimated in years to come.

That's about a 45-minute to an hour drive — if there's no crash or holiday traffic.

 

Or how about a 48-minute ride on the First Coast Commuter Rail with two stops in between and no traffic jams?

 

As the Florida Department of Transportation embarks on a project to add a new northbound and southbound lane to Interstate 95 in Duval and St. Johns counties, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority says a dedicated commuter rail line between them is needed as well.

 

 

more:

https://news.wjct.org/first-coast/2022-07-27/commuter-rail-studied-from-jax-to-st-augustine

milwaulkee-kenosha-racine commuter services move forward:

 

 

 

Long-stalled Kenosha-Milwaukee commuter rail proposal gets new, if limited, state support

 

By | August 23, 2022 

 

Wisconsin DOT provides federal sponsorship for private company’s plan

 

 

MILWAUKEE — The state of Wisconsin has filed a brief document with the Federal Transit Administration in support of a private corporation’s plan to provide commuter rail service between Milwaukee and Kenosha, Wis. — a long-discussed but moribund project dating to 1998.

 

The two-page “Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Project Development Profile” was filed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Wisconsin Transit & Realty Group. It proposes a 33-mile operation from the Kenosha station served by Metra’s Union Pacific-North line to the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station, with seven intermediate stops.

 

 

more:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/long-stalled-kenosha-milwaukee-commuter-rail-proposal-gets-new-if-limited-state-support/

4 hours ago, mrnyc said:

milwaulkee-kenosha-racine commuter services move forward:

 

 

 

Long-stalled Kenosha-Milwaukee commuter rail proposal gets new, if limited, state support

 

By | August 23, 2022 

 

Wisconsin DOT provides federal sponsorship for private company’s plan

 

 

MILWAUKEE — The state of Wisconsin has filed a brief document with the Federal Transit Administration in support of a private corporation’s plan to provide commuter rail service between Milwaukee and Kenosha, Wis. — a long-discussed but moribund project dating to 1998.

 

The two-page “Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail Project Development Profile” was filed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Wisconsin Transit & Realty Group. It proposes a 33-mile operation from the Kenosha station served by Metra’s Union Pacific-North line to the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station, with seven intermediate stops.

 

 

more:

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/long-stalled-kenosha-milwaukee-commuter-rail-proposal-gets-new-if-limited-state-support/

While I hope this happens, it would be so much better if the project was increasing the speed and frequency of the Amtrak Hiawatha MKE-Chicago service, perhaps introducing a new local / express model. Hourly, clockface service would drive huge ridership, especially if MKE-Chicago travel time was 45 mins instead of 1.5 hours.
 

Also, never forget that Scott Walker paid the federal government $100s of millions, and passed on $100s of millions more Fed funding, to kill a good rail project in southeastern WI.

Except that the Amtrak line bypasses the populous, more walkable towns along the lake. A local service makes a lot of sense there, with express Amtrak service on the former Milwaukee Road line.

5 hours ago, KJP said:

Except that the Amtrak line bypasses the populous, more walkable towns along the lake. A local service makes a lot of sense there, with express Amtrak service on the former Milwaukee Road line.

I don’t know which tracks are which. My preference is for passenger-service owning the right of way, and frequent service between Milwaukee and Chicago with express and locals. Probably could lease some overnight slots to freight to help pay the bills. Whatever can improve the passenger service. 

10 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

I don’t know which tracks are which. My preference is for passenger-service owning the right of way, and frequent service between Milwaukee and Chicago with express and locals. Probably could lease some overnight slots to freight to help pay the bills. Whatever can improve the passenger service. 

 

Amtrak uses the former Milwaukee Road tracks, now owned by Canadian Pacific. CP is not a friendly passenger railroad but may be softening up a bit. Metra uses this inland line as far north as Rondout for its Fox Lake service. The proposed commuter rail service would use the former Chicago & North Western tracks, now owned by Union Pacific. Metra uses these tracks along the lakefront as far north as Kenosha, WI: https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N

 

Both lines are actively used by competing freight railroad companies. Neither is likely to give up using them. However.... Union Pacific owns a parallel Chicago-Milwaukee line between the Amtrak and the commuter routes. It might be possible to get UP to move its through trains from the lakefront line to its inland line, though I suspect they do this already -- at least during rush hours.

Want to take the train to the beach?

 

Wilmington NC is looking to be that next great rail stop. Amtrak/ NCDOT have plans to introduce a new passenger rail service to Wilmington via Goldsboro or Fayetteville. This new route would connect the isolated eastern section of North Carolina to the economically prosperous Piedmont region.  At the reasonable speed of 125 mph the time between Raleigh and Wilmington would be reduced to a single hour. From there travelers can connect to Amtrak's Piedmont (Raleigh to Charlotte), Carolinian (Charlotte to New York) and Silver Services (New York to Miami) as well as the future Triangle Commuter rail service and future HSR service to Richmond.

 

In addition to intercity rail, New Hanover County is planning on building a new multimodal terminal which may include: a new commuter rail service that will extend deep into Brunswick County and Pender County, light rail service, a intercity bus terminal and a local bus terminal. Currently the local bus terminal has already been constructed and the future train station has been designed.

 

https://www.facebook.com/100082521465683/posts/pfbid0KoMkPk3XQXBWFE7tjNoL8rp6PDa1L4QE6RNLeBLDoXyHf6PTKhydEZpsQgG7kR3ml/

 

I've often thought about moving to Springfield, MA or Albany, NY. Another reason why.....

 

MA: Amtrak's planned Albany connection could be stepping stone to Springfield's east-west passenger rail service goal
Aug. 24, 2022
New York state is backing Massachusetts' request for Amtrak to add two more trains from Boston through Springfield and on to Albany in what could be a transitional step toward increased east-west passenger rail service.

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/21278477/ma-amtraks-planned-albany-connection-could-be-stepping-stone-to-springfields-eastwest-passenger-rail-service-goal

 

 

good news for long islanders:

 

 

MTA Announces Opening of Second Section of LIRR Main Line Third Track

 

Long Island Rail Road
Updated August 30, 2022 5:00 p.m.

 

LIRR Main Line Expansion Project Is on Schedule and $100 Million Below Budget 

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the opening of the 2.5-mile second section of the Long Island Rail Road’s new Main Line third track between the Merillon Avenue and Mineola stations. 

 

“Just two weeks after opening the first section of the Third Track, we’re celebrating the next step in the MTA’s historic, multi-billion dollar investment into the Long Island Rail Road,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Third Track, along with Grand Central Madison opening later this year, will allow the LIRR to increase its service by 40%, boosting Long Island’s economy for generations to come.” 

 

more:
https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-opening-of-second-section-of-lirr-main-line-third-track

 

good grief!

 

outerbridge tunnel?

 

with no accommodation for rail even mentioned?

 

and using canceled lga rail funds?

 

wat?

😂

 

Outerbridge Tunnel? Port Authority urged to evaluate underwater connection from Staten Island to New Jersey.

 

Updated: Sep. 16, 2022

By Erik Bascome | [email protected]

 

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For nearly 100 years, Staten Islanders have driven over the Outerbridge Crossing, but if the borough’s elected officials get their way, residents could be driving under it in the years to come.

 

more:
https://www.silive.com/news/2022/09/outerbridge-tunnel-port-authority-urged-to-evaluate-underwater-connection-from-staten-island-to-new-jersey.html

On 8/30/2022 at 4:45 PM, KJP said:

I've often thought about moving to Springfield, MA or Albany, NY. Another reason why.....

 

MA: Amtrak's planned Albany connection could be stepping stone to Springfield's east-west passenger rail service goal
Aug. 24, 2022
New York state is backing Massachusetts' request for Amtrak to add two more trains from Boston through Springfield and on to Albany in what could be a transitional step toward increased east-west passenger rail service.

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/21278477/ma-amtraks-planned-albany-connection-could-be-stepping-stone-to-springfields-eastwest-passenger-rail-service-goal

 

This could---or will--- make Albany-Rennselaer, already the ninth busiest station in the country, a real hub, with services in every direction. It's already pretty good, but the addition of two Boston-Springfield-Albany trains (in addition to the current Lake Shore Limited) would provide a connectivity not possible now. These new trains could connect directly with Empire Corridor trains to the west. Other services may expand as well, including direct morning service to New York from Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Albany, added Empire Corridor service and Amtrak's Connect US proposal for a New York-Albany-Buffalo-Cleveland train. None of this is guaranteed, but is very possible. This also opens the possibility of rail oriented development around the station, whose site contains a large amount of developable land and air rights. If that happens, a TIF zone should be established to create a funding stream for more improvements.

Edited September 18, 20222 yr by neony

Look how cool these ZEMU (zero-emission hydrogen-powered multiple-unit) trains are. 

…

The two-car trainset was ordered by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority in 2019 for use on the 9-mile “Arrow” rail line between the University of Redlands and the San Bernardino Transit Center. The new zero-emission hydrogen-powered multiple-unit (ZEMU) trains will undergo extensive testing in Europe this year and in 2023 before being shipped to the U.S. to enter service in 2024. The Arrow line, currently in testing and projected to open this October, will also use low-emission “Flirt” diesel multiple-unit trainsets supplied by Stadler; the first of these was delivered in March 2022.
…

The new trains are designed with a 500-mile operating range between refueling. Assuming the option is exercised, the equipment will replace existing diesel-powered, push-pull equipment used for Amtrak California services.

 

 

Scott Walker is the worst

 

lirr gets all the gravy —

 

Third’ time’s the charm: MTA finishes $2.5 billion LIRR Third Track project

 

By Kevin Duggan
Posted on October 3, 2022

The MTA finished its $2.5 billion Third Track project to add another set of rails along nearly 10 miles of the Long Island Rail Road, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday.

 

The nearly four-year scheme will free up congestion along the LIRR’s busy Main Line between Floral Park and Hicksville on Long Island and cut delays and disruptions on the railroad, according to officials.

 

The added capacity also allows for more so-called reverse peak trips east from the city in the morning and west in the evening, once the MTA opens a new LIRR terminal below Grand Central on the East Side of Manhattan at the end of the year.

 

more:
https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-finishes-lirr-third-track/
 

$2.5 billion to add 10 miles of third main track? I realize this line is mostly elevated, but c'mon. We've gotta get infrastructure costs under control in this country.

 

 

 

i saw this lirr news:

 

 

Q: When will I be able to take the LIRR directly to Grand Central? – Linda L.

 

A: We’re so excited to be opening Grand Central Madison service by the end of this year. There’s going to be a huge benefit for riders – some will be able to save up to 40 minutes on their commutes and systemwide, the LIRR is going to be increasing service by 41%. That means more trains running in peak hours, and not just to Manhattan; reverse commuting to Long Island is finally going to be a more realistic option. The new GCM terminal is world-class, with the best retail, restaurants and amenities East Midtown has to offer. Stay tuned for more precise timing on opening day. – Catherine Rinaldi, Interim President, Long Island Rail Road

Did anybody read the, generally negative, article about California high speed rail in the Sunday New York Times?  Is it me or did the article just seem to end abruptly?  I kept looking for a link to an upcoming Part 2.

Here...

 

 

6 hours ago, KJP said:

Here...

 

 

Fantastic takedown of the bad NY Times article on CA High Speed Rail. If you want to properly critique American rail projects, you should get actual rail experts to write it, rather than anti-rail hitmen with no clue. 
 

 

I just saw that. Didn't realize the NYT writer was that jacka$$ Vartabedian from LA.

3 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Fantastic takedown of the bad NY Times article on CA High Speed Rail. If you want to properly critique American rail projects, you should get actual rail experts to write it, rather than anti-rail hitmen with no clue. 
 

 

But the point was that the voters were sold a project that was going to cost $33 billion and open in 2018. Now the projected costs are almost 4 times that and no realistic date it will open. This is the epitome of a fleecing of the taxpayer. So bad that even Newsom is pushing toward killing the project as a waste of taxpayer money. 
 

FYI California currently has a budget surplus of almost $100 Billion. Even with all the headache this thing is gonna get built. 

Interesting.  As a railroad layperson with no clue who this reporter is, I did think the article was incredibly slanted as I was reading it and this confused me.  In a long NYT piece you would usually expect counter viewpoints to balance the article.  This was not the case.  And again, it strangely just ended, like somebody  cut off huge portions due to space constraints.

9 hours ago, surfohio said:

FYI California currently has a budget surplus of almost $100 Billion. Even with all the headache this thing is gonna get built. 

Budget surplus does not mean that it will be directed toward this project. I think there would be a ton of political outcry from all Californians if they spent the majority of their surplus to fund the high speed rail. 

 

Not sure if that could happen to begin with, but even if it could, it would be too politically toxic, even for California.

20 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Budget surplus does not mean that it will be directed toward this project. I think there would be a ton of political outcry from all Californians if they spent the majority of their surplus to fund the high speed rail. 

 

Not sure if that could happen to begin with, but even if it could, it would be too politically toxic, even for California.

 

Overreaction Monday is here! I'm pretty sure what @surfohiois saying is that when planning has progressed far enough for the next HSR segment, California will be financially ready to apply for federal funds to build it because it will have the non-federal funding match to leverage it. How much money? Probably a couple billion dollars in state money, a few millions of which can also come from the annual cap-and-trade auctions. The next one is next month.