The front page of Milwaukee's paper has a positive story about Amtrak that'll probably boost ridership on a few select trains:

 

 

Amtrak attendant sells with dash of merriment

 

 

By Mike De Sisti

Posted: July 4, 2010 |(25) COMMENTS

 

Some use it as a time to sleep. Others use it as a time to read the paper, catch up on e-mail or gaze out the window reflecting on a rather mundane day at the office.

 

Passengers of the Hiawatha Amtrak train service from Milwaukee to Chicago expect little entertainment. A conductor alerting them to the next stop opens the show. A crying baby is the headliner of the 90-mile commute. A loud cell phone talker tees it up for the forgettable encore.

 

But don't plan on zoning out if Marty Schall is on board. The popular lounge service attendant from Milwaukee quickly turns the hour and 40-minute commute into a lollapalooza of laughter.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/97779339.html

What a great story !!  Ya gotta love people who have a passion for their job. :clap: :clap: :clap:

I don't know why but I read the comments after the article about "Marty The One-Man Party" and noted this one.....

 

After I read the article and played the video I checked the comments to see if there was anyone who's optical nerve was connected to their rectum giving them that crappy outlook on life.

 

Sure enough.

USDOT, Maine finalize grant agreement for Downeaster extension

 

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it finalized a grant agreement with the state of Maine regarding $35 million in stimulus funds awarded to the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) in January. The agreement will enable work to begin on the rehabilitation and expansion of state-supported Amtrak Downeaster service, which is managed by NNEPRA and includes five daily roundtrips between Portland, Maine, and Boston.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23752

7 train extension construction pics:

 

11th ave at 26th st -- working away in the 100+ degree heat!  8-)

 

 

 

                       

 

 

 

these are further uptown in front of the javits

 

 

 

                               

 

 

This new train will cover the 109-mile route in 2.5 hours, making the start-to-stop average speed a blistering 43.6 mph.

 

Thelma Drake, director of Virginia DOT's Department of Rail & Public Transportation, a former Republican Congresswoman from the Norfolk area, and a native of Elyria, Ohio, ought to help her GOP counterparts in Ohio understand why a 43-mph train will attract ridership and why the train begun last October from the megacity of Lynchburg is already attracting twice the ridership originally projected for it. I think she would be listened to here.

________

 

Virginia pilot program adds Amtrak train to link Richmond and the District

By Jennifer Buske

Washington Post Staff Writer

Friday, July 9, 2010

 

A second state-funded intercity passenger train will launch this month, providing Virginia residents with another transportation option between Richmond and Washington.

 

Operated by Amtrak and funded by the commonwealth, the train will start July 20, leaving Richmond at 7 a.m. and stopping at Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge and Alexandria before arriving in Washington at 9:30 a.m., Amtrak officials said. The train will continue to Boston. The new southbound intercity train will leave Union Station at 3:55 p.m.

 

The train is part of a three-year, $17.2 million pilot project that includes a similar train between Lynchburg and Washington that started in October. The pilot was launched to increase the number of mass-transit options and to determine whether enhanced rail service could be viable in Virginia, state transportation officials said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070804538.html

Allegheny Valley Railroad commuter train project steams ahead

By Matthew Santoni

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Sunday, July 11, 2010

 

Shadyside resident Richard Goldman welcomes Allegheny Valley Railroad's plan to run commuter trains from Downtown Pittsburgh to Verona, Oakmont, New Kensington and Arnold.

 

"If they could figure out a rail commute to take cars off of Allegheny River Boulevard or Route 28, that would be wonderful," said Goldman, 61, who co-owns Mystery Lover's Bookshop in Oakmont. "From the store's perspective, a train that would deliver people to our doorstep couldn't be a bad thing."

 

AVR officials are working on a $228 million plan that would run diesel-powered trains along their freight tracks between Arnold and the Strip District. The trains would travel along tracks embedded in 26th Street in the Strip to the East Busway, then connect to the unused section of Port Authority's light-rail and go directly to an empty platform at Steel Plaza subway station, said railroad CEO Russell Peterson.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_689893.html

This is what starts to happen after you offer a medium-speed introductory rail service like 3C Quick Start...

 

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/press-releases/209.shtml

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces Initial $20.3 Million For North Carolina High-Speed Rail

 

FRA 10-10

Contact: Robert Kulat

Tel: 202-493-6024

 

Monday, July 12, 2010

 

Amount Represents First Installment on $545 Million from Recovery Act

 

In January, President Obama announced that North Carolina was awarded $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to continue its development of high-speed intercity rail. Today, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of North Carolina have finalized a grant agreement for $20.3 million, the first installment of the $545 million awarded to the state.

 

“President Obama’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer for U.S. transportation,” said Secretary LaHood. “We’re improving North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure while putting people back to work. That’s a win for everyone.”

 

“North Carolina has planned well and is set to build a world-class transportation network that will link the Tar Heel State to Washington, D.C. and the Northeast through high-speed rail,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo.

 

“North Carolina has been a leader nationally in restoring passenger rail as a viable transportation alternative and we look forward to pursuing that goal in partnership with the federal government, beginning right now with this grant,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.

 

"Today’s announcement means North Carolina can begin work on developing a first-class, high-speed passenger rail that will make traveling across our great state easier and more efficient,” Senator Kay Hagan said. “High-speed rail will help ease congestion on our roads and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Most importantly, this project will create jobs—my number one priority.”

 

“North Carolina is part of an elite group as one of only seven states receiving high-speed rail corridor development funding,” Rep. David Price said. “As part of more than $500 million in Recovery Act investments being made to modernize North Carolina’s rail system and increase rail speeds, this funding will further what must be our highest priority: putting North Carolinians to work”

 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will use the $20.3 million to refurbish passenger coaches and locomotives to expand rail service across North Carolina. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration is actively working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on additional grant agreements for the remaining $525 million to further develop the state’s high-speed rail corridor.

 

Nationally, ARRA provided an $8 billion down payment for high speed rail.

 

####

But no one wil ride trains....not in this economy....

 

Think again.

 

California's Capitol Corridor gains riders in June despite government furloughs

 

Yesterday, California’s Capitol Corridor reported that June ridership of 140,941 trips increased 7 percent compared with June 2009 and exceeded business plan projections by 13 percent. In addition, June revenue rose 11.5 percent.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23816

 

July 16, 2010

 

Michigan By Rail forum stops in B.C.

 

Justin A. Hinkley

The Enquirer (Battle Creek, Michigan)

 

A traveling forum to discuss the future of Michigan's railways made a stop in Battle Creek on Thursday.

 

The Michigan Environmental Council and the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers held a Michigan by Rail forum at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Fifteen people from across the region participated in a talk about what they'd like to see from extended passenger train lines and about how a high-speed inter-city railway might be funded.

 

Fourteen forums across the state are scheduled through the end of the year, meant to gather public input that will later be shared with state lawmakers and the Michigan Department of Transportation, said Tim Fischer, deputy policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council.

 

Full story at: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100716/NEWS01/7160312/Michigan+By+Rail+forum+stops+in+B.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2010 ATK-10-097

Contacts:

Jennifer Pickett

DRPT

804 786.7432

[email protected]

 

Karina Romero

Amtrak

202 906.3860

[email protected]

 

NEW AMTRAK VIRGINIA SERVICE BEGINS TODAY

Richmond to the Northeast Corridor

 

            RICHMOND – Amtrak Virginia today launches a new train with daily round-trip service between Richmond and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, providing hourly morning northbound departures and more flexible southbound return trips to and from Amtrak’s Staples Mill Station.

 

            Virginia stops along the route include Staples Mill, Ashland, Fredericksburg, Quantico, Woodbridge and Alexandria stations, with direct service as far north as Boston.

 

            “This new train provides more transportation choices in the I-95 corridor,” said Thelma Drake, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). “It’s easier than ever to take the train for your business, college and vacation trips.”

 

            Amtrak allows travelers to make the most of their travel time while someone else does the driving. On the train, passengers can catch up with work, friends, family or just take a break and relax.

 

            The Richmond train also offers a great opportunity for travel to Virginia from places as far north as Boston. Amtrak Virginia and the Virginia Tourism Corporation have developed Amtrak Virginia vacation packages and discounts to destinations throughout Virginia. See www.amtrakvirginia.com/hotdeals for more information.

 

            "This new service has great potential to bring more visitors to Richmond and destinations throughout Virginia," said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism

 

Corporation.  "Train travel to Virginia is especially appealing for visitors in our top East Coast markets including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, who are looking for fun, relaxation and value."

 

            The new Richmond train is the second service launched under the Amtrak Virginia partnership, which introduced a new Lynchburg train last fall. Virginia is the 15th state to partner with Amtrak for intercity passenger rail service, and the successful launch of these new services is made possible through the partnership between DRPT, Amtrak, and the host railroads along the routes.

 

            “Through our partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are able to further expand the rail travel options available to Virginians,” said Jay McArthur, principal officer in Amtrak’s Policy & Development Department. “We’re hopeful this additional service from Richmond will mirror the strong ridership we’ve seen on the Lynchburg service we launched last fall.”

 

            “This new service is evidence of how well the Commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, the Virginia Railway Express and CSX Transportation have worked to enhance passenger, commuter and freight rail service in the I-95 corridor,” said Quintin Kendall, resident vice president for CSX Transportation, the host railroad for the Richmond train. “The partnership resulted in new infrastructure- including seven miles of new, third main track and the replacement of a 105-year old single track railroad bridge. This additional rail capacity allows the new Amtrak Virginia service to begin, and improves the reliability of existing service while ensuring that the economically vital and environmentally beneficial rail freight service can meet the demands of the Commonwealth today and in the future.”

 

            Booking travel on the new train supports Amtrak Virginia service, which is provided as part of a three-year pilot program. The service must meet annual ridership and revenue goals to continue past the three-year mark.  Passengers may book travel on the new Richmond train at any station along the route between Staples Mill Station and Boston using the train numbers below:

 

Northbound Train Number Southbound Train Number

Mon-Fri Train 174 Mon-Fri Train 125

Sat-Sun Train 164 Sat Train 87

Sun Train 157

 

            Passengers should look for these train numbers to ensure that travel supports Amtrak Virginia. The complete train schedule between Richmond and Boston is available at www.amtrakvirginia.com.

   

            Passengers who book travel on the new Richmond train before August 31, 2010 for travel by September 30, 2010 will save 15 percent if they book at least three days in advance of travel.  Travelers who book more than 14 days in advance can take advantage of the lowest published fare for all Amtrak service. More information on travel offers is available at www.amtrakvirginia.com/hotdeals.

 

Sample one-way fares include $23 between Richmond’s Staples Mill Station and Washington, D.C. and $57 between Staples Mill and Philadelphia.

there it is -- they did it!  :clap:

 

 

 

W. Side tunnel vision now reality

 

By BILL SANDERSON

Last Updated: 10:06 AM, July 16, 2010

Posted: 3:57 AM, July 16, 2010

 

 

Breakthrough!

 

A giant spinning drill bit smashed through a bedrock wall 40 feet beneath the Port Authority Bus Terminal yesterday, completing a new tunnel for the extension of the No. 7 line to the West Side rail yards.

At 4:14 p.m., what had been a loud, rumbling roar quickly changed to the sound of metal scraping rock as the last inches of Manhattan granite crumbled away.

 

"It was really amazing!" said Mayor Bloomberg, who was among the crowd assembled on the tunnel floor to watch as the job was finished.

 

Sandhogs and other construction workers let out a loud cheer upon the tunnel's completion.

NY Post: Chad Rachman

 

'BORING' IS EXCITING: Sandhogs celebrate their dramatic breakthrough on the No. 7 train tunnel yesterday.

Some celebrated by crawling from the boring machine's cockpit through an opening on the front of its flat-faced drill bit -- becoming the first to travel through the tunnel's full length.

 

Twin boring machines began digging out the double-tube tunnel in February 2009 below 11th Avenue near 26th Street.

 

Surveyors pinpointed the machines' depth so closely, the machine that made the final breakthrough yesterday in the tunnel's western tube broke exactly through a target workers had painted on granite.

 

The $2.1 billion project, which will connect the current line to a station on 11th Avenue and West 34th Street near the Javits Center and the planned Hudson Yards development, is on track for opening in December 2013, officials say.

 

more + video:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/side_tunnel_vision_now_reality_uVdva40dJTVmPQSE50CceN?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=#ixzz0trqW4fiZ

 

This new service is evidence of how well the Commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, the Virginia Railway Express and CSX Transportation have worked to enhance passenger, commuter and freight rail service in the I-95 corridor, said Quintin Kendall, resident vice president for CSX Transportation, the host railroad for the Richmond train. The partnership resulted in new infrastructure- including seven miles of new, third main track and the replacement of a 105-year old single track railroad bridge. This additional rail capacity allows the new Amtrak Virginia service to begin, and improves the reliability of existing service while ensuring that the economically vital and environmentally beneficial rail freight service can meet the demands of the Commonwealth today and in the future.

 

 

Photos of that construction work are available at:

 

http://fullertography.blogspot.com/

 

with past photos at

http://fullertography.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html

http://fullertography.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

http://fullertography.blogspot.com/2009/12/update-december-3-2009-on-csx-rf-third.html

http://fullertography.blogspot.com/2009/08/csx-rf-third-track-extension-at.html

Moline to buy property for Amtrak terminal

Thomas Geyer | Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:45 pm

 

Moline is one step closer to being a hub in the return of passenger rail service to the Quad-Cities.

 

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the city council approved spending $993,000 to purchase property near existing railroad tracks for conversion to an Amtrak terminal.

 

The property is at 1201 4th Ave., the site of the O’Rourke Building, and an adjacent vacant parcel at 323 13th St. The property is owned by High Rent LLC.

 

In January, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn promised $45 million to create the Chicago to Quad-Cities route. That money is to be used for track and equipment upgrades.

 

Full story at: http://qctimes.com/news/local/article_fd8a8c3e-9482-11df-ad2e-001cc4c03286.html

Ann Arbor City Council approves resolution of support for passenger rail in Michigan

Posted: Jul 21, 2010 at 6:01 AM [Today]

 

The Ann Arbor City Council went on record Monday night to unanimously support the state of Michigan's efforts to develop and fund a comprehensive system of high-speed rail and intercity passenger rail services.

 

Mayor John Hieftje, who sponsored the resolution, said the Michigan Municipal League is asking Ann Arbor and other communities to demonstrate support for the Michigan Department of Transportation's new application for funding from a $2.5 billion second round of federal high-speed rail grants.

 

"A tremendous amount of money has been put into high-speed rail," Hieftje said. "I think up to $4 billion has already been handed out. This next round is $2.5 billion. And as we've said before, the improvements that would take place for the high-speed corridor are exactly the same improvements that we need for commuter rail to work."

 

More at: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-city-council-approves-resolution-of-support-for-intercity-passenger-rail-programs-in-michi/

Denver receives $300 million from USDOT for Union Station project

 

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that the Denver Union Station redevelopment project will receive more than $300 million in federal loans through a financing arrangement involving the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act programs.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23912

 

 

Sound Transit inks BNSF pact to add Sounder trains, picks preferred East Link route alternative

 

Last week, Sound Transit’s board authorized a $185 million purchase agreement with BNSF Railway Co. that will enable the Seattle agency to expand Sounder commuter-rail service by offering four additional daily round trips.

 

The BNSF deal provides the agency easement rights in perpetuity for four additional trains. The expansion from nine to 13 round trips per day might begin in July 2012 with a first new round trip added to the Seattle-to-Tacoma, Wash., Sounder schedule, according to Sound Transit. Other additional trains then would be launched in fall 2014, summer 2015 and sometime in 2016.

 

Full story at:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23907

Rails to link Downeaster to Brunswick

Work begins Monday on the project to extend Amtrak service to Freeport and Brunswick by the fall of 2012.

By Tom Bell [email protected]

Staff Writer

 

Crews Monday will begin replacing 28 miles of rails between Portland and Brunswick, the first phase of a two-year construction project that will allow Amtrak to extend its Downeaster service to Brunswick.

 

A 32-car rail train will arrive with 50 rails, each one 1,650 feet long and weighing 63,250 pounds.

 

The arrival of the rail is a big deal for Brunswick because it's evidence that something that has been discussed in the abstract for years is really going to happen, said David Markovchick, director of economic and community development for the town of Brunswick.

 

Full story at: http://www.pressherald.com/news/rails-to-link-downeaster-to-brunswick-_2010-08-01.html

 

New England states pursue joint plan to revamp rail system

By CHRIS GAROFOLO / Reformer Staff

Brattleboro Reformer Saturday July 31, 2010

 

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A 20-year transportation proposal to renovate more than 500 miles of passenger rail throughout New England is anticipated to increase speed between stations while unclogging some of the region’s congested highways.

 

The ambitious project, running through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, is designed to improve connection times and spark economic growth throughout the Northeast.

 

Transportation officials from the three states have coordinated a regional vision to connect major cities and airports, including Bradley International in Windsor Locks in the hopes of doubling passenger rail ridership by 2030.

 

 

Full story at: http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_15645431

 

 

A 200 percent increase!! Gee, I'm sorry to hear state-supported trains with top speeds of only 79 mph don't attract riders...

 

Train ridership up in NC thanks to new train

Associated Press - August 2, 2010 3:35 PM ET

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The addition of a midday train between North Carolina's two largest cities has increased ridership on the state-sponsored passenger rail service.

 

The state Department of Transportation announced on Monday that the Piedmont midday service between Raleigh and Charlotte helped increase ridership by nearly 200% over last June from 5,258 to 15,426.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12911753

 

N.C. seeks grants for fast trains

Charlotte News Observer

 

The state Department of Transportation is applying for $290 million in federal railroad money for projects that include new passenger stations in Hillsborough andLexington and a bridge to separate cars from trains at the rail crossing on Blue Ridge Road near the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

 

The request is for North Carolina's share of $2.3 billion in high-speed rail grants to be awarded nationwide in September. The state recently began spending some of the $545 million it won earlier this year as part of $8 billion in federal stimulus funds for fast trains.

 

"We could get all of this $290 million, or some of it, or we could get none of it," Pat Simmons, the state DOT rail director, said Wednesday.

 

Full story at: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/08/05/614909/nc-seeks-grants-for-fast-trains.html

 

And a very positive editorial from a New Hampshire paper...a state that has not been historically friendly toward supporting passenger rail....

 

Passenger trains and the future of N.H., region

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

 

Work is under way to improve the rail line between Portland, Maine, and Brunswick in order to accommodate passenger trains.

 

The plan to reintroduce daily passenger rail service to that part of Maine for the first time in 50-plus years in one sense has little relevance to those who live in the Lakes Region.

 

But this project shows that seriously examining what place passenger trains will play in the overall transportation plan for other areas of Northern New England is a subject to be taken seriously.

 

Full editorial at: http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100804/GJOPINION02/708049999/-1/CITNEWS

 

 

Club car pampers NJT riders    

Wednesday, August 04, 2010 

 

Amtrak may advertise its speedy Acela trains as the "civilized commute," but NJ Transit has a comfy ride that isn't as pricey and is more historic, the Asbury Park Press reports. 

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/club-car-pampers-njt-riders.html

Denver RTD, UP pen deal to advance FasTracks project

 

Officials from the Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) and Union Pacific Railroad recently finalized agreements for RTD’s purchase of railroad property and the construction and relocation of UP facilities needed for the FasTracks transit expansion program.

 

Specifically, the $78 million agreements provide the property needed to build the East Corridor from Denver Union Station to Airport Boulevard, the Gold Line from Pecos Junction to Ralston Road, and the West Corridor, which requires the relocation of UP's Burnham Yard.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=24035

Europe's High-Speed Rail Revolution May Spread to US

Link to article in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100808_Europe_s_high-speed_rail_revolution_may_spread_to_U_S_.html

 

 

High-Speed Rail Factions on Display at California Meeting

Link to column in The San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/05/BUV51EP5HU.DTL

 

 

Congressional Lawmakers from Three New England States Seek Faster, More Frequent Rail Service

Link to AP article:

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9HE6M2O0

 

 

Texas DOT on Statewide Tour Talking Rail

Link to story on WOAI Radio:

http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=119078&article=7444926

 

 

Delaware, Maryland Study Examines North-South Passenger Rail

Link to article in The News Journal:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100806/NEWS02/8060335/1007/Delaware-study-examines-north-south-passenger-rail

Amtrak: Ridership on Chicago-St. Louis line is up

Posted: Monday, August 9, 2010 3:00 am

 

Amtrak says ridership on its rail line between Chicago and St. Louis is up 11 percent over the last fiscal year.

 

Amtrak says that from October 2009 through July, more than a half-million passengers have taken the route.

 

The Chicago-St. Louis route is one of the rail line's most popular, and ridership has been steadily increasing.

 

Full story at: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/article_978d500d-2fe7-56bb-8298-c9825e169d38.html

Of course, the bigger story is how much the ridership on the Chicago-St. Louis line has grown over the past decade or so. If I recall correctly, this corridor regularly attracted about 300,000 riders per year until the number of trains was increased from three daily round trips to five. The travel times weren't improved much, however. They've remained at an average speed of about 50 mph yet the on-time reliability has increased.

 

So the ridership has more than tripled in a decade without a change in speed. Let that be a lesson to you Ohio boys and girls....

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/pdNews.nsf/8c5bc4e349ab4db6852576c800678468/c4bb9e1a86fea8af8525777a0063c2d2?OpenDocument

 

PennDOT: Keystone Service Sees Record 1.27 Million Trips

  08/09/2010

 

Harrisburg – Amtrak's Keystone Service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia saw a new ridership record of 1.27 million trips last fiscal year, state Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., said today.

 

Ridership from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 totaled 1.277 million, which was a 3.9 percent increase from the previous fiscal year's record of 1.229 million trips.

 

"The Keystone Service is an excellent transportation option for commuters and leisure travelers alike, and these numbers prove that people are taking notice," Biehler said. "As highway congestion worsens and fuel prices increase, people are looking for alternative transportation options. This service is easy to use and also provides access to communities along the route."

 

"Since we re-launched the Keystone Service in 2006, we have seen ridership steadily increase – a testament to the strong partnership we have with the commonwealth to provide increased rail service that works for Pennsylvanians," said Joe McHugh, vice president of government affairs and corporate communications for Amtrak.

 

In 2006, Pennsylvania completed a $145-million joint effort with Amtrak and the Federal Transit Administration to upgrade service on the 104-mile line. With the electrification of the route and signal improvements, the line now offers 110-mph, 90-minute express service between Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. The service also provides a direct connection to New York City.

 

To learn more about the Keystone Service, visit www.CatchtheKeystone.com. Tickets may be purchased at Amtrak.com. For information on alternative transportation modes and how you can integrate them into your commuting habits, visit www.PACommutes.com.

Coastal Business Commuters Hop on the Rail Lines in Droves

MARKETING: Train Operators Toot Their Horns About Services

By Mark Larson

Monday, August 9, 2010

 

Business people in San Diego are increasingly using intercity and commuter rail to get to and from their jobs in Orange County and Los Angeles.

 

And vintage railcar excursions are even being used as a way to reward company employees and clients.

 

National Railroad Passenger Corp.’s Amtrak, which operates train service between the San Diego area and Los Angeles, Anaheim and Santa Barbara, had 45,824 business-class riders on those routes from October of last year through June, up slightly from the 45,328 business commuters of a year earlier.

 

And commuter rail service Metrolink, which is run by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority and provides service between Oceanside and Irvine, has been serving a steady flow of passengers. In June, the route sold 132 corporate passes and 146 ten-trip tickets. For fiscal 2010 ended June 30, the route sold 1,099 passes and 725 ten-trip tickets totaling about 48,000 trips for the year.

 

Full story at: http://sdbj.com/news/2010/aug/09/coastal-business-commuters-hop-rail-lines-droves/

Yet another passenger rail success story, this time from a Midwest state that has less population than Ohio's 3C Corridor but consistently provides operating support for passenger rail and now is tapping federal funds to speed up its trains.......

 

http://www.modot.gov/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=58720

 

MoDOT News Release

For more information, contact Kristi Jamison, 573-526-2482 or Rod Massman at 573-751-7476.

 

August 11, 2010

Growth of Amtrak Missouri River Runner is on the Fast Track

 

JEFFERSON CITY - Ridership for Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains grew by 25.7 percent for the month of July over the same period last year. The 22,039 customers riding in July came close to setting a record high for the passenger rail service between St. Louis and Kansas City, since numbers had not reached that level in one month since July 2001.

 

"The significant improvement of the Missouri River Runner's on-time performance in the last year is making it a more reliable mode of travel," said Rod Massman, Missouri Department of Transportation rail administrator. "Growing dependability and better efforts to communicate the benefits of riding the train are drawing more customers to the service."

 

Missouri River Runner trains reported an 88 percent on-time performance rate in the month of June, but achieved an even better 92 percent on-time performance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.   The Missouri service has also been noted for its overall customer satisfaction, receiving a 91 percent satisfaction rate in June and ranking third best of all Amtrak routes for the year.

 

Amtrak trains have been supported by the state financially since 1979. An increase in riders means an increase in ticket revenues, which helps reduce the amount of state financial support. In addition, Missouri has received $31 million for high-speed rail projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year and applied for six more projects on Aug. 6. These funds will be used on additional capacity-building projects that will build an even better and more reliable passenger train service across Missouri.

 

Amtrak service connecting St. Louis and Chicago was also up, by 12 percent. Nationwide, state supported or short distance corridors saw nearly a 7 percent increase in riders.

 

###

Pennsylvania slashes transportation funding

Thursday, August 12, 2010 

 

Pennsylvania's Transportation Commission has approved a 24% cut in planned improvements to highways, rail freight, bridges, and aviation over the next 12 years.

 

This means that starting Oct. 1, the state plans to spend $51.6 billion to improve transportation infrastructure, down from $67.9 billion anticipated in 2009. The cut amounts to $16.3 billion.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/pennsylvania-slashes-transportation-funding.html

Originally appeared on News-Journal Online at

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/08/13/state-applies-for-amtrak-project-funds.html | Print This Page

 

 

State applies for Amtrak project funds

By CECIL G. BRUMLEY, Business editor 

  August 13, 2010 12:05 AM

 

The state Department of Transportation has submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration seeking approval of the Amtrak/Florida East Coast Corridor project.

 

The project is now in the running for a requested $250 million to complete the project in three years. Grant awards are expected to be announced in late September. The state also is seeking $1.1 billion in additional funding for high-speed rail express service in the Tampa-Orlando corridor.

 

Getting on board

What America’s train stations are

saying about their cities & states

 

Check out the presentation at:

http://freepdfhosting.com/8b1369c85e.pdf

Anyone know if Ohio applied for any funds?

Funds approved for New Haven-Springfield line, not for new Metro-North cars

Martin B. Cassidy, Staff Writer

Published: 10:59 p.m., Tuesday, August 17, 2010

 

HARTFORD -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell's administration withdrew a request Tuesday to the State Bond Commission to authorize $86 million toward buying 80 additional M-8 rail cars for Metro-North Railroad's New Haven and Shoreline East lines amid questions from legislators about bond funding.

 

The 11-member commission pushed along two other major rail-related requests, authorizing bonding of $260 million toward double tracking the 62-mile New Haven to Springfield line, and $140 million toward the New Haven Railyard, drawing the money from more than $2 billion in transportation funding approved by the General Assembly in 2006 and 2007.

 

Michael Cicchetti, deputy secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, said he would address questions raised by commission members about the financing of the cars and wants to renew the request at the next commission meeting.

 

Full story at: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Funds-approved-for-New-Haven-Springfield-line-619771.php

Anyone know if Ohio applied for any funds?

 

No....not in this round.

However...... Didn't Wisconsin DOT, as the sponsor of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, seek funding for environmental documentation for several routes including Chicago - Ft Wayne - Toledo - Cleveland? I heard they were going to but don't know if they actually did.

California's Capitol Corridor posts fiscal-year ridership record in July

 

California’s Capitol Corridor posted a fiscal-year-best ridership of 141,479 trips for the month of July. Ridership rose 5 percent and revenue jumped 14.7 percent vs. July 2009 levels.

 

Ridership received a boost, in part, from Friday furloughs for state employees that were suspended in July, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority officials said in a prepared statement. However, the furloughs have been reinstated in August.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24150

North Carolina DOT solicits public feedback on choosing mobility fund-worthy projects

 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is seeking public input on how transportation projects should be selected to receive funding from the state’s new mobility fund, which will provide dollars for projects deemed to have statewide or regional significance.

 

Signed into law by North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue, the mobility fund will provide $173 million from fiscal-year 2011 to fiscal-year 2014. The monies will come from unused gap funds and reductions in dollars transferred from the highway trust fund to the general fund.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=24158

Tennessee wants aboard high-speed rail

Aug. 20, 2010, Editorial

 

When the idea of an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville high-speed train route was talked about pub­licly two years ago, pro­po­nents con­tended it should be given seri­ous consideration.

 

A $1 mil­lion fea­si­bil­ity study that had recently been con­ducted on the Nashville-to-Chattanooga leg showed the project to be doable, but that it would cost an esti­mated $5.4 bil­lion in pub­lic and pri­vate dollars.

 

Now comes word that Ten­nessee and Georgia’s depart­ments of trans­porta­tion have jointly applied for $34 mil­lion in fed­eral stim­u­lus fund­ing to develop high-speed rail ser­vice from Atlanta to Chat­tanooga, Nashville and even­tu­ally Louisville, Ky. The Fed­eral Rail­road Admin­is­tra­tion grants would allow the two states to con­tinue envi­ron­men­tal plan­ning and engi­neer­ing for a high-speed link between Atlanta and Chat­tanooga, Geor­gia Trans­porta­tion Com­mis­sioner Vance C. Smith Jr. announced recently.

 

While crit­ics prob­a­bly will say this is a waste of time and tax­payer money, offi­cials work­ing on the project should con­tinue mov­ing for­ward with an idea that still is in its early plan­ning and eval­u­a­tion stages.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/opinion/2010/08/19/tennessee-wants-aboard-high-speed-rail/

Thursday, August 26,2010

 

Group wants local rail jobs

Green spaces, safety, economic development on list of goals

By Patrick Yeagle

 

A Springfield-based community group is hoping to make the contentious arrival of high-speed rail into a blessing by making sure 30 percent of the jobs from the project go to local disadvantaged workers.

 

The Faith Coalition for the Common Good hosted a public meeting Aug. 19 at Union Baptist Church to discuss the coming project’s effects on Springfield. The high-speed rail project will be accompanied by an increase in freight traffic through the city, and a plan by the Illinois Department of Transportation to expand the Third Street rail corridor to handle the increased traffic generated considerable controversy.  FCCG formed several task forces comprised of concerned citizens to address issues such as noise, safety and economic development related to the project. Formed in February 2009, FCCG is a multi-congregational faith-based organization focusing on issues affecting communities in central Illinois.

 

FCCG members have developed a platform of goals to ensure that the high-speed rail project benefits the whole community. The goals include green spaces, local jobs and training, noise and safety mitigation and support for small business growth. FCCG would like to see 30 percent of the jobs created by the rail project go to local low-income, minority and women workers, as well as one percent of the project budget being used for job training.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.illinoistimes.com/Springfield/article-7691-group-wants-local-rail-jobs.html

Denver airport breaks ground on new rail line to downtown

 

Updated 2h 28m ago

 

By Roger Yu, USA TODAY

 

Denver transportation officials broke ground last

week on a new rail line that will link the city's

downtown to Denver International Airport.

 

The East Corridor line, which is estimated to be

completed in 2016, is the first of four lines that will

be built for a new commuter (heavy) rail system in

the region. Denver has light rail service, but it stops

far short of the airport.

 

Full story at: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-08-30-airportcheckin30_ST_N.htm

Arizona plan calls for new, improved rail services

 

Paul Davenport, Associated Press Writer, On Tuesday August 31, 2010, 8:18 am EDT

 

PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona transportation planners say the state should bolster its current rail network's freight-carrying capacity while adding new passenger services for both local and long-distance travelers.

 

A draft rail plan obtained by The Associated Press cites a need to provide mobility for the state's growing population and says investments in rail pay economic and environmental benefits.

 

Full story at: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Arizona-plan-calls-for-new-apf-836184383.html?x=0

thats awesome news for denver. i have heard about that plan for such a long time and wondered what was happening.

WisDOT offers Madison station plan

Wednesday, September 01, 2010 

 

Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation Tuesday unveiled a $12 million plan for a passenger rail station in the state capital, Madison, to be used by future regional and presumed higher-speed passenger rail services.

 

The state and Madison officials are negotiating a cost-sharing agreement for the station’s construction. WisDOT spokesman Paul Trombino says the state would own and operate the station.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/wisconsin-dot-offers-madison-station-plan.html

Kansas DOT considers alternatives for expanded passenger-rail service

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) continues to pursue a fact-finding process that could increase passenger-rail availability in the state.

 

After conducting seven public meetings, KDOT has selected two alternatives for further consideration.

 

The first option calls for establishing nighttime service between Newton and Forth Worth; the other, a daytime service between Kansas City and Fort Worth.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=24268

This is the same approach that ODOT/ORDC are taking with NS & CSX regarding the 3C project, something the Dispatch doesn't understand because they haven't sought a national context for it and haven't interviewed the freight railroads or the FRA to understand this is the logical outcome.....

 

 

Agreement expected to lead to improved Amtrak Cascades service

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

 

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and BNSF signed an agreement that ultimately will result in more frequent and more reliable Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland.

 

The "Memorandum of Agreement" between WSDOT and BNSF clears the way for the state to begin initial work this fall using some of the $590 million in federal grants awarded to Washington in January. This money is part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) high-speed rail grants, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.

 

The agreement sets the framework for the two organizations to deliver rail-improvement projects that achieve reliability and on-time performance goals for both passenger and freight rail service. This is important on rail lines shared by these two types of rail services.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/agreement-expected-to-lead-to-improved-amtrak-cascades-service.html

This is over a route that started with one state-sponsored train that had an average speed of just 43 mph. Today it is part of an interconnected system with multiple-daily trains but the core is the Piedmont corridor between Charlotte and Raleigh which has six daily trains...

 

 

Raleigh, N.C., mulls HrSR options

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 

 

The Raleigh, N.C., City Council Tuesday failed to endorse either of two alternatives envisioned to serve the North Carolina capital with higher speed rail (HrSR), asking the state Department of Transportation for additional information on two proposed route options.

 

....The segment in question is part of an ongoing joint effort by North Carolina and Virginia to establish HrSR linking Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C. The route is part of a longer plan identified as the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, which eyes a reach as far south as Jacksonville, Fla., and also Atlanta.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/raleigh-n.c.-mulls-hrsr-options.html

 

Another advantage of rail travel..... fewer DUI's.... :wink: :clap:

 

Rail council study finds riders want more bar cars

Martin B. Cassidy, Staff Writer

Published: 07:01 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2010

 

The majority of Metro-North New Haven Line riders would approve of more bar cars to help relax on their way home, but are split on whether to add more seating and other amenities, according to a new survey by the state's commuter watchdog group.

 

According to a survey with more than 700 respondents released by the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council at its monthly meeting last week, 90 percent of commuters who completed the survey want expanded bar car service on the line, and 80 percent said that they preferred the additional level of seating proposed in an early design of an M-8 bar car over the current M-2 and M-4 cars.

 

Conversely, many of the 303 commuters who left additional comments asked for fewer furnishings and a simpler design than proposed, a sentiment commuter council Vice Chairwoman Terri Cronin feels is more in line with that of die-hard customers.

 

Full story at: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Rail-council-study-finds-riders-want-more-bar-cars-636709.php

Portland or bust: Maine looks at train link to Montreal

By Andy Riga Fri, Sep 10 2010 COMMENTS(1) Metropolitan News 

 

Quebecers love to drive to Maine in the summer to enjoy the state's great beaches.

 

What if we could take the train instead?

 

There's a move afoot (OK, not really a move, but a lot of talk and some study) to create a passenger train route that would connect Portland and Montreal, possibly using tracks owned by the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad.

 

Reader Avrom Shtern sent me a link to the Sun Journal of Lewiston, Maine, which this week reported on a public meeting about the Maine Department of Transportation's Lewiston/Auburn/Montreal Passenger Feasibility Study. The study is to be completed by December. The PowerPoint presentation from the meeting is here.

 

 

Full story at: http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/metropolitannews/archive/2010/09/10/montreal-maine-train-lewiston-auburn-john-a-poor-grand-trunk-railway.aspx

Some good responses to "think-tanker" Randall O'Toole in this article from Denver...

 

Is rail the solution to I-70 mountain traffic?

Newest CDOT study advocated an ‘advanced guideway system’Gene Davis, DDN Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 

 

The newest study on proposed improvements to the Interstate 70 mountain corridor argues that an advanced guideway system such as an elevated, high-speed rail line should play a central part in relieving traffic congestion for the area in the future.

 

Meanwhile, anti-rail advocates maintain that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is on the wrong track by recommending an advanced guideway system.

 

Full story at: http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=9936

California courts China; Japan courts California

 

 

California looks to China for HSR funding

Monday, September 13, 2010

 

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Shanghai Monday that California will seek China's help in building its estimated $44 billion high speed rail system.

 

So far, the federal government has pledged $2.25 billion of the funding through the high speed rail stimulus plan; state voters in 2008 approved another $9.95 billion in debt financing to launch the project. To help fill the huge remaining gap, Schwarzenegger said California would seek funding from China as well as construction bids from Chinese companies.

 

“We look to China to build our high speed rail, to be part of the bidding process that we are going to go through,” Schwarzenegger told a U.S. trade mission. Noting that “many countries will be bidding to build our high speed rail,” he said California would also seek Chinese funding.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/california-looks-to-china-for-hsr-funding.html

 

 

Japan offers California loan to help pay for $40-billion high-speed train

Monday, September 13, 2010 

 

Japan said it's ready to loan California money to help pay for a planned high-speed railroad as trainmakers compete to work on a project that will cost at least $40 billion, according to Bloomberg. The state-owned Japan Bank for International Cooperation is prepared to lend funds, Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara told reporters in Tokyo after meeting with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He declined to comment on the size of the possible loan.

 

Schwarzenegger is set to ride on a Japanese bullet train able to hit speeds of 275 kmph (171 mph) as part of an Asia tour that includes looking for contractors and funds to help with the 432 miles Los Angeles-San Francisco railway. Japan is offering a loan to California, which is wrestling with a $19.1-billion deficit, to help exporters compete with Chinese, Korean and European trainmakers.

 

"They have to get money from some place," said Edwin Merner, president of Atlantis Investment Research Corp. in Tokyo, which manages about $3 billion in assets. "Japanese trains are going to cost more but they're going to last."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/japan-offers-california-loan-to-help-pay-for-40-billion-high-speed-train.html

Siemens Velaro mockup heads for Florida   

Monday, September 13, 2010 

 

Siemens announced Monday that it is bringing a full-sized mockup of the Siemens Velaro high speed trainet to Florida to show Americans what the future may hold for them. After its Oct. 8 debut in Tampa, th eSiemens "Future of Florida High-Speed Rail Tour" will continue to Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee, and other cities.

 

“Visitors to the exhibit in each city will not only hav ethe chance to see the Velaro, the fastest passenger train in the world, but also the opportunity to have their questions answered by high-speed rail experts,” Siemens claimed.

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/coming-to-florida-full-sized-siemens-velaro-model.html