May 4, 20232 yr Author Let's take a look around and see how our neighbors are doing.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 5, 20232 yr Oh I just can’t get enough of passenger rail blasting past cars on the highway. This is the newly upgraded St Louis to Chicago line When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
May 6, 20232 yr On 5/4/2023 at 12:31 PM, KJP said: Let's take a look around and see how our neighbors are doing.... Nary a train on the move in Ohio at any speed. Oh I forgot. They only come out at night!
May 6, 20232 yr Author Why yes, at 4 am, Ohio is in the midst of its Amtrak "rush hour!" "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 6, 20232 yr Costs of recent 110-125 mph service. Key takeaway: public ownership of rail infrastructure dramatically lowers costs. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
May 6, 20232 yr This explainer thread on what’s required for higher speeds (ie 110/125) is quite informative, plus some thoughts on which Amtrak services should get this upgrade next. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
May 7, 20232 yr On 5/4/2023 at 9:05 PM, Boomerang_Brian said: Oh I just can’t get enough of passenger rail blasting past cars on the highway. This is the newly upgraded St Louis to Chicago line It also happens just south of Philly when Amtrak parallels I-495 for a while. Not on Acela either; even the regional trains beat the cars. 🙂 Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
May 8, 20232 yr Author Michigan rocks. I love Ohio State but the state's politics aren't helpful... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 11, 20232 yr Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 19, 20232 yr trying to figure out what is currently going on with this — i hadnt seen renders — the four new bx mnrr stations to be completed by 2027 — Metro-North Penn Station Access project breaks ground in the Bronx more: https://nyc.urbanize.city/post/metro-north-penn-station-access-project-breaks-ground-bronx Parkchester/Van Nest Station MTA
May 21, 20232 yr Author Good news from Minnesota, even though I doubt Duluth-Minneapolis will get much ridership. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 22, 20232 yr Author Amtrak, NC by Train to expand Piedmont service in July https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Amtrak-NC-by-Train-to-expand-Piedmont-service-in-July--69304 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 24, 20232 yr Author Anyone in Ohio paying attention to this? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 24, 20232 yr Unfortunately I have a feeling DeSantis' platform for Making America Florida won't focus on encouraging private rail operations across the country... we've got other more "pressing" matters to focus on. “To an Ohio resident - wherever he lives - some other part of his state seems unreal.”
June 7, 20232 yr 9 minutes ago, neony said: Why this looks positively European and modern!!! The cars have two sets of doors to accommodate different platform heights. Also, this electrification was built to the same specs as high speed rail. The California HSR trains will share these tracks for 45~ miles between San Jose and San Francisco.
June 7, 20232 yr These are built at the Stadler plant in Salt Lake City. When I lived out there it was cool to see these trainsets sitting outside the plant. Stadler also makes DMUs for a few transit agencies around the country.
June 14, 20232 yr Utah Front Runner rail is doing a big double track expansion and buying more train sets in order to go to 15 minute headways. The Provo to Ogden service is 82 miles! I’m so jealous of this system - imagine a Cleveland-Akron-Canton regional rail with 15 minute headways. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has selected a team led by HDR and including WSP USA to provide program management services for its $966.2 million FrontRunner Strategic Double Track Project, which will add at least nine new segments of double track along the 82-mile, 16-station Ogden-Provo regional/commuter rail system and update signaling systems. When complete, the project is expected to double FrontRunner’s peak-hour service frequency to trains every 15 minutes, increase overall capacity by 55% and enhance reliability. … The current FrontRunner system has 61 miles of single track and 22 miles of double track. “Northbound and southbound trains share the same track along most of the corridor, so any disruption can cause cascading delays,“ HDR noted. ”The Strategic Double Track Project will roughly double the amount of double track, allowing for more frequent trains and more reliable service. As part of the project, UTA will also purchase 10 more trainsets to accommodate the expanded capacity.” … Project funding is 69.5% federal through a $671.1 million Federal Transit Administration Section 5309 Capital Investment Grant (CIG); 22.8% state through a $220.1 million Utah Transit Transportation Investment Fund grant; and 7.7% local through $75 million from the Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
June 14, 20232 yr Hopefully they'll buy Stadler trainsets. Here's a video from one of the founders of the Rio Grande Plan talking about it
July 3, 20231 yr On 5/6/2023 at 4:05 AM, KJP said: Why yes, at 4 am, Ohio is in the midst of its Amtrak "rush hour!" As always. Would you be so kind as to do a 4 pm equivalent? I'd like to do a cut n paste of both side by side. Thanks!
July 13, 20231 yr Author Norfolk Southern issues ESG report, welcomes Piedmont service expansion 7/13/2023 Meanwhile, NS, Amtrak, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Railroad Co. this week “welcomed” the start of a fourth daily frequency of the Amtrak Piedmont service, according to a press release issued by NS. Coupled with existing Carolinian service, the expanded Piedmont now offers riders five daily round trips between Charlotte and Raleigh, with intermediate stops serving seven cities in between. The launch marks the second such expansion of passenger service in the state in the past five years, railroad and state officials said. The expansion results in 10 daily options for intercity travel across North Carolina and beyond via connections to other Amtrak services, they said. Plans for the service expansion date to 2012, when the railroads and public partners reached agreement on the Piedmont Improvement Program (PIP), a nearly $500 million public-private partnership aimed at eliminating chokepoints, increasing speeds and improving other infrastructure that supports more efficient and coordinated operations across the state. MORE: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/norfolk_southern/news/Norfolk-Southern-issues-ESG-report-welcomes-Piedmont-service-expansion--69656 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 17, 20231 yr Author Charlotte to Raleigh now has five round trips per day thanks to state investment. Only one of those trains goes through to WDC, PHL and NYC. Are you going to tell me that Charlotte-Raleigh can support good train service but Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati cannot? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 22, 20231 yr Author East Coast - West Coast, but little rail investment activity in between "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 22, 20231 yr Author So do spiderweb-like networks with lots of connectivity among multiple routes linking mid- and large-size cities. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 29, 20231 yr Rail electrification projects are great! I’d really love to see this in Chicago and Boston on commuter rail lines (along with a dramatic increase in frequency) When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
July 30, 20231 yr 19 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said: Rail electrification projects are great! I’d really love to see this in Chicago and Boston on commuter rail lines (along with a dramatic increase in frequency) We If we want to address climate change, we should be calling for large scale electrification projects. Really, the entire Lake Shore route should be electrified for passenger and freight, along with other routes such as the 3CD Corridor.
July 30, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, neony said: If we want to address climate change, we should be calling for large scale electrification projects. Really, the entire Lake Shore route should be electrified for passenger and freight, along with other routes such as the 3CD Corridor. Electrifying the rails is great, but if you don't have a green grid first, you could just end up with a (indirectly) coal powered train. Maybe there are other efficiencies associated with electrifying routes, but there are also inefficiencies from converting to and transporting electricity. I have a hard time imagining it being better than a wash (with respect to carbon) anywhere the grid isn't already powered by carbon neutral sources.
July 30, 20231 yr I believe all of the electric power used by trains in the Netherlands is generated by non-carbon means.
July 30, 20231 yr 1 hour ago, Ethan said: Electrifying the rails is great, but if you don't have a green grid first, you could just end up with a (indirectly) coal powered train. Maybe there are other efficiencies associated with electrifying routes, but there are also inefficiencies from converting to and transporting electricity. I have a hard time imagining it being better than a wash (with respect to carbon) anywhere the grid isn't already powered by carbon neutral sources. Coal is dramatically in decline as a source of electricity. Even with coal power, there’s no way the diesel generator of a locomotive is as efficient as a larger electricity plant. (All modern locomotives use an electric power train; in a diesel locomotive the diesel engine is simply a generator.) That said, the electricity is much more likely to come from natural gas at an even lower carbon cost. While it would be better if the electric source was carbon neutral, it definitely is not a wash. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
July 30, 20231 yr 1 minute ago, Boomerang_Brian said: Coal is dramatically in decline as a source of electricity. Even with coal power, there’s no way the diesel generator of a locomotive is as efficient as a larger electricity plant. (All modern locomotives use an electric power train; in a diesel locomotive the diesel engine is simply a generator.) That said, the electricity is much more likely to come from natural gas at an even lower carbon cost. While it would be better if the electric source was carbon neutral, it definitely is not a wash. Okay, interesting, do you have any estimates about how much of a carbon saving this would be relative to diesel engine trains? Assuming all trains transitioned, but the grid stays the same as today (or additional capacity is added to account for the trains, but with the same mix as today).
July 30, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, Ethan said: Okay, interesting, do you have any estimates about how much of a carbon saving this would be relative to diesel engine trains? Assuming all trains transitioned, but the grid stays the same as today (or additional capacity is added to account for the trains, but with the same mix as today). I don’t have the bandwidth for too much digging right now, but here’s the first relevant thing I came across https://rail.nridigital.com/future_rail_sep22/ail_electrification_benefits “Benefits of electrification Typically, an electric train emits between 20%-35% less carbon per passenger mile than a diesel train – a figure that will increase as the power generation industry continues to decarbonise.…. Another huge advantage is that electric trains also have zero emissions at the point of use. This eliminates harmful diesel engine emissions and particulates, an important consideration for air quality in pollution hot spots, such as city centres and mainline stations. They also reduce noise and vibration pollution, of particular benefit to local residents and biodiversity.” Passenger rail also benefits from electric trains having faster acceleration and deceleration. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
August 1, 20231 yr I've posted some about the Rio Grande Plan in Salt Lake City. One of the organizers of the group trying to get this plan implemented has put out some great videos on the subject. Here's one of his latest ones. We need more community activists using social media to promote their ideas and answer questions.
August 3, 20231 yr On 7/30/2023 at 2:13 PM, Boomerang_Brian said: I don’t have the bandwidth for too much digging right now, but here’s the first relevant thing I came across https://rail.nridigital.com/future_rail_sep22/ail_electrification_benefits “Benefits of electrification Typically, an electric train emits between 20%-35% less carbon per passenger mile than a diesel train – a figure that will increase as the power generation industry continues to decarbonise.…. Another huge advantage is that electric trains also have zero emissions at the point of use. This eliminates harmful diesel engine emissions and particulates, an important consideration for air quality in pollution hot spots, such as city centres and mainline stations. They also reduce noise and vibration pollution, of particular benefit to local residents and biodiversity.” Passenger rail also benefits from electric trains having faster acceleration and deceleration. Also, there is also something called regenerative braking, which has been around for decades, where the train's traction motors are used to assist braking by generating power, which is dissipated in a diesel, but can be pumped back into the grid by an electric locomotive.
August 3, 20231 yr It’s great to have someone who actually knows what he’s doing in a (relatively) powerful position at Amtrak: The article: https://gothamist.com/news/months-into-new-job-at-amtrak-andy-byford-blasts-bosss-penn-station-plans When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
August 4, 20231 yr Extended feature on Brightline from CNBC When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
August 10, 20231 yr Surprise - Texas Central isn’t dead. Amtrak is trying to save it. And Train Daddy Andy Byford is the right guy to do it. Texas Central, Amtrak exploring partnership to advance high-speed rail project https://communityimpact.com/houston/tomball-magnolia/transportation/2023/08/09/texas-central-amtrak-exploring-partnership-to-advance-high-speed-rail-project/ Aug 9, 2023 Texas Central and Amtrak officials are exploring a partnership to potentially advance the 240-mile high-speed rail project proposed to connect Houston and Dallas, Amtrak officials announced in an Aug. 9 news release. The high-speed rail project connecting Dallas to Houston, which was announced in 2014 by Texas Central, was set to be operational in 2023, by 2025 and in 2026, according to prior reporting. However, construction has not yet begun on the route. … “We believe many of the country’s biggest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas, like Houston and Dallas, deserve more high-quality high-speed, intercity rail service, and we are proud to bring our experience to evaluate this potential project and explore opportunities with Texas Central so the state can meet its full transportation needs,” said Andy Byford, Amtrak senior vice president of high-speed rail development programs, in the release. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
August 14, 20231 yr Author This would have direct benefits to all of Ohio's existing passenger rail services, plus many of its potential services.... Officials seek nearly $900 million for Union Station, Amtrak projects in Chicago. An ambitious plan to improve and add rail service at Chicago’s Union Station is getting another shot in the arm, with federal and state officials pushing for nearly $900 million in grants for the project….Pritzker praised the application’s broad support within the corporate and labor worlds, with more than $200 million in matching funds provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation, Cook County, Metra, and the Michigan Department of Transportation, among others. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/officials-seek-nearly-900-million-for-union-station-amtrak-projects-in-chicago/3200478/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 19, 20231 yr Reece / RM Transit video on Amtrak taking over Texas high speed rail dropped: When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
September 1, 20231 yr Author Go Johnny Utah! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 14, 20231 yr European Rail Giants Fight for Slice of U.S. High-Speed Train Line Siemens and Alstom vie to supply planned Los Angeles to Las Vegas link By Ted Mann Updated Sept. 6, 2023 12:02 am ET WASHINGTON—In the halls of Congress and the expense-account lunch haunts nearby, two European conglomerates are waging rival campaigns for a $12 billion train to Las Vegas, hoping to finally make a big business out of high-speed rail in America. Siemens and Alstom are lobbying lawmakers and the Biden administration as they vie to supply high-speed power cars and passenger coaches for the trains of Brightline West, a privately owned venture that aims to connect the Los Angeles exurbs with Las Vegas. The companies are relying on powerful allies to boost their chances, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), a public champion of Alstom, which has a factory in his home state’s Southern Tier. Brightline in turn is counting on nearly $4 billion in funding from the $1 trillion infrastructure law to wrap up its financing plan and begin construction of the route by the end of this year—in time for completion by the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A... https://www.wsj.com/business/european-rail-giants-fight-for-slice-of-u-s-high-speed-train-line-e2b788a2?fbclid=IwAR2F5_v2eVnJ3YOX8r97x5Tr42wM6oc0FOOMNZjnedveSTCVU-fJgifIfHM Paywall, but anyone with a Cuyahoga County Library card can access it via their digital news/magazine offerings (that's what I did). I would assume Cleveland Public Library too.
September 14, 20231 yr Are they just trying to be the provider of the trainsets or are they asking to remove the Buy American requirement, which could lower prices?
September 14, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, Dev said: Are they just trying to be the provider of the trainsets or are they asking to remove the Buy American requirement, which could lower prices? Unfortunately that ship has sailed. Definitely the more expensive “Buy American” requirements on this round of federal investment. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
September 15, 20231 yr 17 hours ago, Dev said: Are they just trying to be the provider of the trainsets or are they asking to remove the Buy American requirement, which could lower prices? They want to be the provider of trainsets, and Alstom thinks their trains will have enough American content to meet the Buy American requirements. Siemens isn't as sure that they can meet the requirements. Note that Alstom is supplying the new Acela trainsets. Edited September 15, 20231 yr by gildone
September 15, 20231 yr 2 minutes ago, gildone said: They want to be the provider of trainsets, and Alstom thinks their trains will have enough American content to meet the Buy American requirements. Siemens isn't as sure that they can meet the requirements. Note that Alstom is supplying the new Acela trainsets. This sounds concerning to me because I would think that the procurement process already is using a scoring rubric to make the recommendations, not what elected officials want/think.
September 20, 20231 yr excellent newark, nj news — Newark celebrates start to Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge (slideshow) Walkway will connect Newark Penn Station to Prudential Center over McCarter Highway Jessica Perry//September 20, 2023 Work has begun to bridge the space between Newark Penn Station and Mulberry Commons in the state’s largest city, offering a direct route for pedestrians to Prudential Center and the Ironbound. On Sept. 19, Mayor Ras Baraka, Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, D-29th District, Newark Municipal Council members and others gathered in the park as “one of the most important redevelopment projects ever undertaken in Newark” enters its next phase, with the groundbreaking of the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge. more: https://njbiz.com/newark-celebrates-start-to-mulberry-commons-pedestrian-bridge-slideshow/
September 22, 20231 yr Author I should've bought a house in Worcester or Springfield. Now the real estate prices are going to go up. I predict with climate change, the Inland Route will become the Northeast Corridor mainline between New York and Boston. It's certainly more populous than the coastal route which, in some places, is only a few feet above the Atlantic Ocean. US gives $108 million for track work between Springfield, Worcester; project will spur passenger service https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/09/us-gives-108-million-for-track-work-between-springfield-worcester-project-will-spur-passenger-service.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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