June 15, 200916 yr Author Welcome Hardiho! Glad to see you posting here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 200915 yr Author I hope they can get the money, but $550 million is a lot of dough for 2,800 daily trips. This is why it is much better to preserve a railway (in this case the Lackawanna Cutoff) than rip it out with the thought of restoring it in the future. Even putting a trail on it may not be a good way to preserve a rail corridor. Anyway, restoring this line to Scranton could also open up a rail corridor for use by Amtrak from NYC to Scranton, Binghamton and possibly to Syracuse.... http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature7-6-16 June 15, 2009 Money remains obstacle for Scranton-NYC railway Now that planners have shown the potential environmental damage won’t thwart a Scranton-to-Hoboken passenger railroad, they might be able to concentrate on the real stumbling block: money, according too local newspapers. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 200915 yr Author I found the following, but consider the source. Interesting history about this major engineering project...... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lackawanna_Cutoff It is estimated that a total of $551 million in federal funds would be needed to entirely rebuild service to Scranton, Pennsylvania, a figure that includes the cost to acquire additional trainsets for this service. (The cost to rebuild to Andover is estimated to be $35 million.) Passenger service to Scranton, as currently proposed, would consist of 18 trains a day (nine eastbound and nine westbound) between Scranton and Hoboken (or New York City). By 2030, it is estimated that the service would carry 6,000 passengers a day from northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey to jobs in New Jersey and New York City. Future commuters travelling to Hoboken using this service would board a Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train to travel into lower Manhattan or would switch to a Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train to points along the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. It is proposed that Midtown Direct service will be provided from Andover east, with additional service available from Dover, New Jersey east. A two-hour travel time from northeastern Pennsylvania to New York City has been estimated, which is comparable to the service available in New York's northern suburbs; rides into New York from Poughkeepsie, Brewster, and New Haven each take about two hours. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 200915 yr Author Michigan's state-supported trains have repeatedly been at risk of getting cut due to them being dependent on the state's general fund. Legislators have never provided a dedicated funding stream to support rail as they have with other modes of transportation (a lesson for Ohio!).... http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20090616/NEWS01/906160301/1002/Vote-may-be-end-of-line June 16, 2009 Vote may be end of line for Amtrak Proposed cuts are aimed at Amtrak By LIZ SHEPARD Times Herald The daily train trip from Port Huron to Chicago could be threatened as officials work to balance the state's budget. Last week, the Michigan State Senate Appropriations Committee voted to cut the ........ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 16, 200915 yr "the" daily train trip? i take that means one a day? not sure but if so i cant blame them if thats all it is. hardly seems worth it even with a slight increase in ridership recently.
June 18, 200915 yr Author http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/OpEd-Contributor/48253042.html Mark Hemingway on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's flip-flop on LA-to-Las Vegas maglev By: Mark Hemingway, OpEd Contributor - | 6/18/09 8:08 AM In a move virtually unreported by the national press, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., completely abandoned one of his signature legislative projects. This unexpected move is a perfect case study for showing how pork-barrel spending is dictated by transparent political motives. ...... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 18, 200915 yr Author Here's an article I wrote in the summer of 2006 about the DesertXpress. In the last paragraph I wrote, I note the route could be extended west to Lancaster. What wasn't known at the time was the routing for California HSR line. Now we know it would allow the DesertXpress to link with the California HSR route between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Moreso it could allow Las Vegas trains to run through to either city without a transfer at/near Lancaster. That's not possible with a noncompatible technology like maglev.... A fast train from Victorville? The Federal Railroad Administration is preparing a federally required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed, privately financed high-speed rail line linking Las Vegas to the outskirts of Los Angeles. However, the 200-mile, $3-billion rail line would traverse only two-thirds of the distance between the two population centers, say officials from DesertXpress Enterprises Limited Liability Corp. Two stations would be built, one in or near downtown Las Vegas, and the other in Victorville, Ca., a city of nearly 100,000 residents about 90 miles northeast of central Los Angeles. The selection of Victorville as the western terminus was driven by the higher costs of getting over Cajon Pass and slicing through the Los Angeles metropolitan area. East of Victorville and across the Mojave Desert, the rail line would be along 170 miles of Interstate 15 and next to 30 miles of existing freight railroad tracks. Long sections of track could be built on federally owned land and given to DesertXpress for free – a 21st-century version of 19th-century land grants that spurred construction of the transcontinental railroads. “It (going to Los Angeles) drives up the cost dramatically, but it doesn’t increase the ridership enough,” said Tom Stone, DesertXpress president in a July 26 article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “We get close enough to the population base where Victorville actually works.” Round-trip fares would be about $110, with trains departing every 20 to 30 minutes during peak travel times. About four million riders per year are projected, taking about 25 percent of the car traffic off I-15. Diesel locomotive-hauled trains would travel at speeds up to 125 mph and be manufactured by Bombardier Corp., which is operating similar trains on the Midland Mainline in the United Kingdom. The choice of Bombardier is a familiar one to DesertXpress’ parent company, Transmax, which built the Las Vegas monorail. Bombardier manufactured the monorail trains. The Victorville station would feature hotels for Las Vegas visitors and a 10,000-car parking area on 60 acres of land just west of I-15, between two exits for Stoddard Wells Road. A train maintenance, storage and operations facility employing 400 people would be built on 50 acres in the Victor Valley Economic Development Area. As to whether Los Angelinos would drive and hour and a half, just to ride another hour and a half on a train to their final destination, Stone said there is still a large population base living close by. He said that more than 5 million people live within a one-hour’s drive of Victorville — depending on traffic. “You know Angelinos,” he said in the Review-Journal. “They drive an hour to work and think nothing of it.” Stone said he hopes to have the project’s financing in place by the middle of 2007, with construction starting in 2008 and the line opening as early as 2012. Neither he nor Andrew Mack, vice president of DesertXpress, would identify any investors. “We see that there’s really a scarcity of public funding for major infrastructure projects like this, so it’s a really unique opportunity for the private sector to take responsibility for a major need between two thriving economic centers,” Mack said in the July 10 Victorville Daily Press. DesertXpress officials see their plan as a substitute to a proposed $10 billion maglev line that could link Anaheim with Las Vegas, attract 10 times as many riders as the conventional high-speed trains and charge $84 round trip. But the maglev, sought by American Maglev Group, has been able to attract only $45 million in private investment despite its partners wishing to start construction in 2010 and start operating in 2015. Federally mandated public meetings for the DesertXpress were held in late July, where most people in attendance spoke favorably about the project, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Public comments noted the potential for the rail service to reduce traffic on I-15 and increase jobs in Victorville, which had been hurt by the closing of George Air Force Base. “(Customers) would pull up to the station and you would essentially be able to check into your hotel at Victorville, have valet service, check your bags to your room, get your train ticket, get your room key and your Las Vegas experience has started,” said Mack in the Daily Press. He also commented that a future route extension into the Los Angeles basin hasn’t been ruled out. Another possibility is that the route could be extended 40 miles west of Victorville to Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, north of Los Angeles. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 18, 200915 yr Phoenix’s Brand New Light Rail Has 60% More Users than Expected http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/phoenix-light-rail-metro-tempe-mesa-map-video.php The sprawling city of Phoenix, of all places, is showing us how light rail should be done. They just opened a 20 mile line with 28 stops last December, and ridership statistics are beating all forecasts (evidence that the same might be true in other cities where they are afraid to invest because their forecasts are too low) with 40,000 weekly riders instead of the 25,000 expected. As you can see in the video below, the trains also have bike racks, which is a must to encourage multi-modal transportation. Read on for more details, and make sure to check out the video below.
June 21, 200915 yr This would be so kickass... the RJ Corman train would roll by the under-construction Distillery District, and on new trackage in DT Lexington! Dinner train possible at Lexington Center By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, June 18, 2009 A dinner train with boarding at Lexington Center and an excursion train between Lexington and Louisville could be in operation as early as next year, with the potential for passenger service between the two cities later.
June 21, 200915 yr New South Shore Bi-Level Gallery Cars South Shore has placed in service fourteen new gallery cars from Sumitomo Corporation of America. Initial fabrication was in Japan, and final assembly was by Sumitomo in Milwaukee. Negotiated bid price for the fourteen cars in February, 2007, was $47,572,000 ($3,398,000/car) Funding comes from a $17.5 million grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, $4.5 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Plan Commission, $3 million in CMAQ funding from INDOT, and up to $33 million in 17-year, 4.028% bonds placed sith JP Morgan Chase Bank. The cars differ from the Metra cars in the following ways: - End doors with traps and steps to allow either high-level or low-level boarding, - Microphor toilets vs. Metra's holding-tank design, - Walk-over seating to allow seats to face either direction. Each car has a control cab on the upper level at one end, with pantograph at the "blind" end. The cars are coupled in married pairs for bi-directional operation, but a single car can operate individually The first two cars arrived on NICTD property last November, and I believe the order was complete around March. There was extensive testing before the cars entered regular service. Modifications had to be made to the auxiliary power systems to ensure reliability. South Shore's web site is http://www.nictd.com/. Look under info > board meeting minutes starting in January 2007 for discussion regarding the purchase of these cars. Photos are here
June 22, 200915 yr Cost of rail line linking Greensburg, Arnold with Pittsburgh lower than expected By Rich Cholodofsky TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, June 20, 2009 Westmoreland County transit officials are poised to begin planning for two commuter rail lines that would link Greensburg and Arnold with Pittsburgh. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_630373.html
June 22, 200915 yr Author These commuter rail routes and the Ohio Hub corridors into Pittsburgh will be discussed at a meeting Monday in Pittsburgh. Hopefully an advocacy effort will emerge to help advance these projects. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 200915 yr Monday, Jun. 22, 2009 U.S. Stimulus Puts Bullet Trains On the Fast Track Time Magazine By Tim Padgett / Miami Florida, like many of America's biggest states, can be frustrating to traverse. Driving between such major cities as Miami and Tampa is a back-numbing haul; flying between them, especially at the exorbitant fares many airlines charge, often seems impractical. And as the peninsula state's population has exploded in recent years — it's set to pass New York as the nation's third-largest — its road and air corridors have become more gridlocked and eco-unfriendly. Which is why Floridians voted in 2000 to build high-speed bullet train service between Miami, Tampa and Orlando. By 2004, however, then Governor Jeb Bush, who had insisted the $6 billion estimated cost would in reality top $20 billion, convinced Florida voters to drop the idea. Find this article at: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1906025,00.html
June 22, 200915 yr A very well-done video on the new light rail line in Phoenix, Arizona: http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/19/a-bright-beginning-for-light-rail-in-phoenix/ Friday, June 19, 2009 13 Comments A Bright Beginning for Light Rail in Phoenix by Clarence Eckerson Jr. on June 19, 2009 Everyone knows that Phoenix has a huge sprawl problem. But now transit-oriented development is on the upswing in this Sun Belt metropolis. In December, the Phoenix region opened one of the most ambitious transit projects in recent U.S. history: a 20-mile light rail line with 28 stops serving three cities (Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa). Future plans include an extension within three years, with several new corridors being studied. The Valley Metro vehicles are handsome and comfortable, and thus far ridership has far exceeded initial projections -- with as many as 40,000 riders per day, compared to the expected 25,000. Each station features amenities and art installations. In addition, with many folks using the light rail as an intermodal step in their commutes, bicycles are welcome aboard.
June 23, 200915 yr Author www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mo-high-speedrail,0,5950074.story chicagotribune.com Nixon, Quinn pledge high-speed rail cooperation By BETSY TAYLOR Associated Press Writer 7:09 PM CDT, June 22, 2009 ST. LOUIS Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday pledged to share resources, expertise and information to make a planned high-speed rail corridor between St. Louis and Chicago a reality. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 25, 200915 yr I know we often think that Cleveland is the only city that experiences delays and cancelled projects. But this economy is killing everyone, even the sun belt. Light-rail extension planned for 19th Ave. delayed until 2014 Phoenix can't afford to open 3-mile leg yet 8 comments by Sean Holstege - Jun. 25, 2009 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Phoenix officials have put the brakes on the new light-rail system's first expansion, saying it cannot afford to build tracks or operate trains along another 3 miles of 19th Avenue. The delay of at least 16 months means the soonest the light-rail extension can open is 2014, about six years after the starter line opened. Deputy City Manager Ed Zuercher said he decided against asking the Phoenix City Council to award a construction contract on the Northwest Extension because local sales-tax receipts, the sole funding source, have nose-dived in the past three months. Read the rest of the story + maps + vid: http://www.azcentral.com/news/traffic/lightrail/articles/2009/06/25/20090625metro-extensions0625.html
June 26, 200915 yr Author States aren't the only ones who can make federal funding requests for passenger rail.... ____________ http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/press-releases/233 DOT Digest: FRA Awards Contract Portland, Maine area Rail Infrastructure Improvements Contact: Rob Kulat Telephone: 202-493-6024 Friday, June 26, 2009 (Washington, DC) FRA Awards a contract for Portland, Maine area Rail Infrastructure Improvements. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded a grant totaling $500,000 to the city of Portland, Maine for the rehabilitation and improvement of track infrastructure including the replacement of crossties and rail, surfacing of track, replacement of bridge ties, ballast replacement, and renewal of turnouts. This work is intended to add capacity and eliminate slow orders that are currently in place, resulting in improved ride quality and an increase in the speed of passenger rail operations through the area from 10 to 25 mph. It is anticipated that this increase in speed will reduce trip times by an average of 3-5 minutes per trip. In addition, the project will once again permit the use of wye tracks to turn passenger cars and switch locomotives among train sets in the event of mechanical difficulties thus minimizing operational disruptions. The period of performance for the above work extends to March 31, 2010. Contact: Rob Kulat (202) 493-6024. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 1, 200915 yr Author http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature5-7-1 June 30, 2009 Amtrak Lancaster, Pa., train station renovation begins Amtrak Keystone Corridor passengers who use the Lancaster, Pa., train station will find it much improved and more accessible and comfortable as a result of a major $12-million renovation project now getting under way. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 1, 200915 yr Author More Pennsylvania.... http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature5-7-1 June 30, 2009 Westmoreland to Pittsburgh rail transit outlook strong, study finds A consultant hired by the Westmoreland County Transit Authority said during a public hearing that train service could potentially start tomorrow between Latrobe and Greensburg to Pittsburgh, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Officials during the first of two public sessions presented the results of a $500,000 study that found enough potential riders for rail service on two lines: Latrobe to Pittsburgh and from Arnold to Pittsburgh. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 1, 200915 yr Midwest high-speed rail association proposes 220 mph Chicago-to-St. Louis trains Operating 220 mph trains between Chicago and St. Louis is feasible and economically viable, according to a study issued yesterday by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=20770
July 1, 200915 yr Author Haha, already posted it at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1414.msg406475.html#new Actually the one I posted was from the Chicago Tribune. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature5-7-1 June 30, 2009 Amtrak Lancaster, Pa., train station renovation begins Amtrak Keystone Corridor passengers who use the Lancaster, Pa., train station will find it much improved and more accessible and comfortable as a result of a major $12-million renovation project now getting under way. [...] The Lancaster station is a classic/classy space that will benefit from being spiffed up and de-cluttered. It has potential to be an impressive facility in an impressive city. As of last fall a privately-supported effort was under way to put in a streetcar line from the Amtrak station through downtown to Franklin and Marshall College. I don't know if that's still on track.
July 2, 200915 yr Acquiring additional rolling stock capacity has allowed South Shore to implement skip-stop service on selected rush-hour trains, to reduce overcrowding and station delays. I rode #11, now a limited-stop trains, on Tuesday (6/29) from Chicago to South Bend, and it looked as though the only standees were a few people who chose to stand to be close to the exit doors. The train was on time at all stops. My previous experience with that train was that if I boarded any place after Randolph/Millennium, I wouldn't get a seat until Hammond or East Chicago, 40-45 minutes later. Track, catenary, and signal upgrades continue to improve performance, and it feels to me like running speeds along much of the route are faster than they were a year ago and more. Now, if they'd just put up and enforce signs admonishing riders to "Use Your Indoor Voice, Please!" Commuters don't bother anybody; they just want to read their newspapers, work with their laptops, drink their coffee, put on makeup, or nap. Invariably though, there are a bunch of shoppers excited to be on their first train trip ever, and usually they're accompanied by a passel of overwound little kids. Noise is to be expected with kids, but the moms usually make more noise than the kids. All the way there, they chatter about the fun they expect to have, and all the way home they chatter about all the fun they had. Tuesday morning several mothers and daughters were off to visit the American Girl Place. Use your imagination.
July 2, 200915 yr Speaking of new rolling stock.... I had to run out to the corner store this evening to pick up some cat food, and I saw something pretty cool: Two brand-new NYC subway cars being delivered to the 207th Street Yard a few blocks away. Car 9508 Car 9511
July 2, 200915 yr Author Interesting new transit vehicle! But I don't think it meets ADA requirements... :-P "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr I probably shouldn't give Cincinnati any ideas... I might go back there and find a Skoda streetcar being hauled around OTR on a flatbed truck: the new "compromise" streetcar system. :roll:
July 2, 200915 yr Author Noozer. That was a joke. See the emoticon with the tongue sticking out? (Subway looks like a bus with lots and lots of tires) Get it ? ? ? ? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr Author Thank you Living in Gin for getting it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr Author Actually, a bigger clue is that I know the NYC subway system uses high-level platforms (or at least I hope you would expect I would have some basic awareness like that!). No big deal. See ya tomorrow. "At least that rail car has rubber tires," says the Buckeye Institute. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr Author http://www.railwayage.com//content/view/981/121/ Portland’s TriMet tests Green Line light rail Portland, Ore., continues preparing for a Sept. 12 opening of its latest light rail transit expansion, the $575.7 million Green Line that extends east of the city to Clackamas County. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 2, 200915 yr mta is rolling out new hybrid buses 06/30/2009 03:28 PM Hybrid Buses To Hit City Streets By August By: NY1 News The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said some new hybrid buses will be on city roads by August. The EcoSaver 4, seen above, is touted as being quieter and is said to have fewer emissions that regular buses. Currently the agency is rolling out eight hybrids, but it has the option to order as many as 80. The bus has an electric motor powered by a battery pack that's charged by a turbine engine. One transit executive calls the new model "the smiley bus," since it curvy blue area below the front windshield resembles a smile. video: http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/101556/hybrids-buses-to-hit-city-streets-by-august/Default.aspx more: http://mobile.gothamist.com/2009/06/30/new_nyc_transit_buses_will_save_env.php?gallery0Pic=1#gallery http://nyctransitforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11177
July 3, 200915 yr Author http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=9033 Wisconsin Legislature Panel Kills Rail Transit Study Stacy Forster and Steve Schultze Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin) WISCONSIN - Stung by Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of a potential Milwaukee sales tax increase to fund transit programs, members of the Legislature's budget-writing committee on Tuesday killed a study of a commuter rail plan for southeastern Wisconsin. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 3, 200915 yr Author In happier news..... http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=9028 Work on Denton County Commuter Line Begins Wendy Hundley The Dallas Morning News TEXAS - Preparations for the A-train rail line - Denton County's long-awaited foray into commuter rail - finally began this week. Workers began unloading 20-ton lengths of steel track in Lewisville and Lake Dallas along the route of the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. The 1,600-foot lengths of steel will form the backbone for the new 21-mile railway that is expected to be completed by December 2010. ........ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 5, 200915 yr ^ oh good -- very timely. im going down to the big d in a couple weeks. something to check out.
July 6, 200915 yr Author http://www.joc.com/node/412181 Colorado Agency Buys Union Pacific Tracks In first of four transfer deals, freight carrier sells 33 track miles for $118 million John D. Boyd | Jul 1, 2009 8:24PM GMT The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story Union Pacific Railroad sold 33 track miles north of Denver to Colorado’s Regional Transportation District for $118 million, in the first and largest of four land transfer deals to develop commuter rail in that area. . http://www.joc.com/node/412181 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 8, 200915 yr Author http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature3-7-7 July 7, 2009 Oregon DOT looks at extending WES commuter rail line to Salem Getting Oregon’s first commuter rail line built wasn’t easy, according to the Daily Journal of Commerce.30 in Portland. Extending that line would present a whole new series of challenges. As the Westside Express Service struggles to attract riders, a study is looking at what it would take to stretch the line from the Portland suburbs to Salem. House Bill 2408, signed into law last month, directs the Oregon Department of Transportation to consider what that stretch would entail. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 8, 200915 yr Author A busy day in the world of rail transit! http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature3-7-7 July 7, 2009 South Side hopes Olympics bring a CTA 'Gold Line' Transit riders already have a choice of Red, Green, Blue, Brown, Orange, Yellow, Pink and Purple Lines, but a coalition of South Side activists also would like commuters to go for the Gold, the Chicago Tribune reports. Underserved by rapid transit, residents there would benefit from a proposed "Gold Line," an innovative hybrid of both Metra and the CTA, according to Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation, or SOUL. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 9, 200915 yr Author http://www.railwayage.com//content/view/1004/121/ July 9, 2009 Giants Stadium rail link readied by NJ Transit New Jersey Transit Wednesday said it will debut rail service between Hoboken Terminal and Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., via Secaucus Junction, beginning Sunday, July 26, when the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final title soccer match is scheduled. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 14, 200915 yr Author http://www.railwayage.com//content/view/1014/121/ July 14, 2009 Houston hosts trio of LRT ceremonies for two new lines The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, which operates Houston’s METRORail light rail, marked groundbreaking for two new light rail lines Monday with three distinct ceremonies. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 15, 200915 yr New England states want stimulus for trains The project would cut travel time by 20 to 25 minutes on the Amtrak Downeaster to Boston. The Associated Press July 14, 2009 PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rail service across New England would be faster, include more stops and attract twice as many riders by 2030 under an improvement plan that regional governors have backed while seeking federal stimulus funding for the project. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=268050&ac=PHnws
July 15, 200915 yr http://www.railwayage.com//content/view/1025/121/ DMU favored for Sonoma/Marin rail plan Planners in California’s Sonoma and Marin counties, north of San Francisco, are set to recommend diesel multiple-unit (DMU) equipment for a proposed 71-mile rail line serving the northern Bay Area. The Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Board of Directors was ready to approve the recommendation Wednesday.
July 15, 200915 yr Author Look like US Railcar got into the biz at just the right time. That's why Barry is wealthy and I'm not. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 16, 200915 yr He still has a long way to go. I would guess he is at least 2 years away from producing a railcar or DMU. He still has to pick a site for fabrication and assembly. But you are right.... his timing is very good.
July 16, 200915 yr He also faces the challenge of being an upstart company. When transit agencies or railroads are looking to specify new rolling stock, they generally want somebody with a proven track record who they know will be in business long enough to provide warranty service. Perhaps US Railcar will need to form a joint venture with one of the big players (Alstom, Kawasaki, Bombardier, Siemens) for their first couple orders so that they can get themselves established. That wouldn't necessarily stop them from doing the bulk of their manufacturing and/or assembly in Ohio, though. Either way, I wish them luck.
July 16, 200915 yr Here's a German DMU with a bike storage area in front...so you can use your bike after getting to your station: pix Would these be "street legal" in the US? (meet US crash standard?). I could easily see these being used for commuter or "local" service in Ohio
July 16, 200915 yr 2 July 2009 NYC: New transport chief pushes more livable city, but anti-rail "BRT" campaign could be "booby trap" New York City — For at least three-quarters of a century, this and other great American cities have catered to private automobile transportation at the expense of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. Now, in New York at least, this may be changing. Light Rail Now! NewsLog URL: http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_newslog2009q3.htm#NYC_20090702 Updated 2009/07/02
July 16, 200915 yr BRT is clearly a sham, but it's the latest tool being used by anti-rail fanatics. At some point in the late 70's or early 80's, it was decided that cities could no longer afford to build subways. Light rail was touted as the compromise solution. Now they're saying cities can't afford to build light rail, and BRT is being touted as the compromise solution. What will be the "compromise" solution when they decide that BRT is too much hassle? For the past 50 years, transit advocates are the ones that have been doing all the compromising, and many of our cities have been compromised away to the point where there's nothing left but highways and strip malls. Transit agencies and the civic leadership need to realize that you don't compromise with people who have a vested interest in seeing you fail.
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