January 6, 20232 yr more hudson bergen light rail news regarding the 3 station west side extension and taking it home to a final bayfront station: https://hblr440.com
January 14, 20232 yr Second daily Seattle to Vancouver Cascades restarting March 7: When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
January 14, 20232 yr Author Adirondack (NYC-Albany-Montreal) is also finally restarting this spring. I don't think they have a hard date yet. NYSDOT has been using the operating subsidy for two additional NYC-ALB round trips. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 16, 20232 yr Another interesting rail proposal out of Massachusetts. This is separate from the East-West project that is moving along. One big problem with state level planning is readily apparent - much like the E-W project, it appears they did not evaluate extending it it Albany, which would make it WAY more useful and drive lots of ridership. (At least the E-W has had discussions on that extension.) It’s also frustrating to see projects like this be more likely to happen than 3C&D when the latter would have significantly more ridership. I’m genuinely curious - how good would 3C&D be with a $2B investment? This proposal is the yellow highlight. E-W proposal is southern route via Worcester and Springfield, same as the Boston branch of the Lakeshore Limited. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
January 17, 20232 yr Here's a good article on the Rio Grande Plan that's gaining some grassroots steam in Salt Lake City. https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/two-salt-lakers-have-a-next-generation-plan-for-transit-that-just-maybe-could-save-downtown/Content?oid=19429923 The creators of the plan have made some YouTube videos about it too.
January 18, 20232 yr mta goes for heavy usa trains vs lighter euro trains: MTA set to pay nearly $3 billion for old, overweight LIRR, Metro-North cars By Nolan Hicks January 17, 2023 *** The MTA still wants to move ahead with another purchase of the steel dinosaurs even though federal authorities approved a massive regulatory overhaul in 2018 that now allows the agency to buy high-tech trains — common in Europe — that are dramatically faster, lighter and cheaper. more: https://nypost.com/2023/01/17/mta-opting-for-overweight-trains-that-will-cost-millions-more-analysis/
January 25, 20232 yr finally its open as of today !!!!! FINALLY! Grand Central Madison station opens after decades of planning and construction By Ben BrachfeldPosted on January 24, 2023 The new Grand Central Madison train terminal is finally set to open to passengers Wednesday, bringing Long Island Rail Road service to the east side of Manhattan and putting the cherry on top of one of the largest, longest, and most expensive megaprojects in the city’s history. The 750,000-square-foot terminal, situated 17 stories underneath Grand Central, is poised to boost train capacity on the LIRR by 40%. more: https://www.amny.com/transit/grand-central-madison-finally-open-jan-25/
January 25, 20232 yr why are people walking down the escalator? this place cost $11B dollars!! http://www.mainstreetpainesville.org/
January 25, 20232 yr ^ because of course it broke down! 😆 more grand central madison opening day news: Grand Central Madison brings LIRR service to the East Side, realizing decades-old dream By Stephen Nessen Published Jan 25, 2023 at 1:21 p.m. Modified Jan 25, 2023 at 2:06 p.m. New York’s long-delayed plan to bring Long Island Rail Road trains to Grand Central Terminal was finally realized on Wednesday, capping a project that’s as old as the MTA itself. Just after 11 a.m., Gov. Kathy Hochul and hundreds of riders arrived aboard the first passenger train into Grand Central Madison, a terminal located 150 feet beneath the rail hub. more: https://gothamist.com/news/grand-central-madison-brings-lirr-service-to-the-east-side-realizing-decades-old-dream
January 26, 20232 yr Extensive photo tour of the new Grand Central Madison / East Side Access When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
January 26, 20232 yr Funding to reroute a couple Amtrak Northeast Regionals a day inland via Hartford, Springfield, and Worcester to Boston. In addition to a good ridership route, this also adds resiliency to the system in case of big storms affecting southeast Connecticut. I’m assuming the MA part is the same as the East-West corridor, meaning more service will share that investment. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
January 28, 20232 yr yesterday i only did a very quick walk through of grand central madison via the food court entrance, missed some stuff and couldn't ride the jamaica shuttle, but anyway i did try to snap away ...
January 28, 20232 yr Author Will they increase the frequency of service? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 30, 20232 yr On 1/28/2023 at 11:45 AM, KJP said: Will they increase the frequency of service? yes of course -- as of now there is no service yet other than a jamaica shuttle. so its kind of a stunt to just get it opened up and people used to it. i dk if they aren't ready to go full tilt, likely they are not, but its probably not the worst idea to roll service out slowly as there is no turning back.
January 30, 20232 yr The Rio Grande Plan in Salt Lake City is gaining momentum with the mayor applying for grant money to explore the plan. I love seeing grassroots urban activism. Here's a good video https://ksltv.com/519267/new-plan-aims-to-re-establish-rio-grande-as-transportation-hub/
January 30, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, mrnyc said: yes of course -- as of now there is no service yet other than a jamaica shuttle. so its kind of a stunt to just get it opened up and people used to it. i dk if they aren't ready to go full tilt, likely they are not, but its probably not the worst idea to roll service out slowly as there is no turning back. It might as well be a Penn Station shuttle, too, for lots of riders. I think I have been on a through train to Garden City about twice in ten years. Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
January 30, 20232 yr 56 minutes ago, Dougal said: It might as well be a Penn Station shuttle, too, for lots of riders. I think I have been on a through train to Garden City about twice in ten years. yeah i dk how they are going to divvy up lirr penn and grand central trains. i hope mta is lol!
February 1, 20232 yr full list of biden mega projects — National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program FY2023 Fact Sheets Watsonville-Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program ......................................................................................... 2 Metra UP North Rebuild: Fullerton to Addison............................................................................................ 3 Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project .......................................................................................................... 4 I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Replacement Project........................................................................................ 5 Improvements to the I-10 Freight Corridor................................................................................................... 6 Strengthening Transportation Evacuation Resilient Lifeline by Improving the Network’s Grid (STERLING)................................................................................................................................................. 7 Hudson Yards Concrete Casing – Section 3 (HYCC-3) ............................................................................... 8 I-44 & US-75 Corridor Improvements Project ............................................................................................. 9 Roosevelt Boulevard Multimodal Project................................................................................................... 10 more: https://www.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MEGA-FY-2023-Combined-Fact-Sheet.pdf
February 5, 20232 yr Author This project needs to go away. I just don't see it generating much ridership. Duluth-Superior metro population is less than 300,000. And the towns in which this train would stop are one-traffic-light villages. 3C, by comparison, is one of the most heavily traveled intercity corridors in the United States. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 5, 20232 yr 2 hours ago, KJP said: This project needs to go away. I just don't see it generating much ridership. Duluth-Superior metro population is less than 300,000. And the towns in which this train would stop are one-traffic-light villages. 3C, by comparison, is one of the most heavily traveled intercity corridors in the United States. Sure there is the potential for more ridership in Ohio, but Ohio Republicans don't want rail. Minnesota wants rail to get cars off the roads, Ohio wants roads not rails. If money is available for only one, the one that wants it is going to get it before the one that doesn't, even if the one that doesn't want it needs it.
February 5, 20232 yr Author Minnesota's service may not be used by Minnesotans, but it will be "used" by Ohio's rail-phobics. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 6, 20232 yr 16 hours ago, KJP said: Minnesota's service may not be used by Minnesotans, but it will be "used" by Ohio's rail-phobics. Maybe. But it seems more likely that Ohio's rail-phobics are not very aware of rail's use elsewhere.
February 6, 20232 yr Author 1 hour ago, Foraker said: Maybe. But it seems more likely that Ohio's rail-phobics are not very aware of rail's use elsewhere. Because it doesn't fit their paradigm. Whenever a rail service fails, they hear about it and advertise it as if it is common. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 6, 20232 yr ^ impressive the minnesota state dot did that. its a lot of money, effort & upkeep to lay out for only 4 lightly used trips a day, but they are well aware of the ridership. it would be nice if ne ohio had a modern cle-akron-canton rail plan or similar sorta ready to go like that. at least ready to move along to the next steps. does odot have to do it or can someone else like noaca develop another one? cause we know odot wont do anything … and if and when they ever would it will be for metro columbus.
February 9, 20232 yr full lirr service at grand central madison starts feb 27: https://www.amny.com/transit/full-lirr-service-at-grand-central-madison-to-commence-feb-27/
February 12, 20232 yr In the 3C+D thread, Cuyahoga County Exec Chris Ronayne was quoted as saying what a great chance the Cleveland Union Terminal has to become like Washington's Union Station. I'd like to point out the opinion in Washington is not so rosy. A lot of this reflects a business decline because of WFH, which government workers have adopted en masse; but that's not all. "De facto homeless shelter" are frightening words for many travelers. Various recent WaPo headlines: Union Station has Fallen on Hard Times. Can It Be Saved? https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/13/union-station-dc-rail-renovation/ Union Station in line for $10 billion facelift, but Questions Remain https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/13/dc-union-station-redevelopment/ Union Station’s refresh is just lipstick on a pig https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/14/union-station-de-facto-homeless-shelter/ Remember: It's the Year of the Snake
February 12, 20232 yr 38 minutes ago, Dougal said: In the 3C+D thread, Cuyahoga County Exec Chris Ronayne was quoted as saying what a great chance the Cleveland Union Terminal has to become like Washington's Union Station. I'd like to point out the opinion in Washington is not so rosy. A lot of this reflects a business decline because of WFH, which government workers have adopted en masse; but that's not all. "De facto homeless shelter" are frightening words for many travelers. Various recent WaPo headlines: Union Station has Fallen on Hard Times. Can It Be Saved? https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/13/union-station-dc-rail-renovation/ Union Station in line for $10 billion facelift, but Questions Remain https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/11/13/dc-union-station-redevelopment/ Union Station’s refresh is just lipstick on a pig https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/14/union-station-de-facto-homeless-shelter/ I don't think Ronayne has suggested that Cleveland Union Terminal could be like Union Station. All of his recent comments have focused the Burnham plan's proposal for a lakefront passenger rail station where the Amshack currently is. And the critiques of DC's Union Station are noted, but I'll point out that rail projects are a magnet for pundits who want to dunk on government projects. They nearly always complain about the wrong things. Let's discuss the real issues: - DC's homeless issue is because of bad zoning policies that result in nearly all of the city being zoned for single family homes, thus making housing costs astronomical. Fix the zoning to allow multi-family everywhere walking distance of high-frequency transit and homelessness will be decreased by 90% within 5 years due to more reasonable housing costs. And once you have dramatically lower homelessness, you have fewer homeless people using Union Station as a shelter. Added benefit - increased transit usage decreases the transit subsidy costs! This does not require changing the height limitation, but allowing for taller builds even further amplifies the positive impacts of building more housing. - The big fail of the Union Station proposals is there isn't any effort to make a few tracks through running. This would enable a proper regional rail system like Paris or Germany. Through running is a significant part of upgrading "commuter rail" to frequent regional rail. Trains run with high frequency around the clock. Implementing regional rail would dramatically increase ridership. Getting more passengers in Union Station makes retail more successful, and the whole facility then becomes more what we see in Europe in Asia. (Electrification is also important for regional rail because it has better acceleration and deceleration, meaning adding stations doesn't have as much of a travel time penalty compared to diesel.) When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
February 14, 20232 yr re the essex-hudson greenway fka the nj transit boonton line: On celebrated Essex-Hudson Greenway, some feeling buyers’ remorse N.J. spent $65M to buy rail line and turn it into a state park BY: DANA DIFILIPPO Almost since the start, when train service stopped on the old Boonton rail line in 2002 and the weeds and wildlife began taking over, plans formed for what the narrow 9-mile tract snaking through Essex and Hudson counties could be. Everyone from environmentalists to politicians envisioned a park that would serve as a sanctuary for residents of New Jersey’s most crowded region. more: https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/02/13/on-celebrated-essex-hudson-greenway-some-feeling-buyers-remorse/
February 15, 20232 yr Brightline service to Orlando starting in Q2! When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
February 21, 20232 yr New Brightline train set has arrived in Orlando When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
February 25, 20232 yr interesting! north american abandoned rail lines map: via Suzy Sholar/Pinterest
February 27, 20232 yr grand central madison is supposed to be fully open as of today: Grand Central Madison finally opens for full LIRR service on Monday By Ben Brachfeld Posted on February 26, 2023 Full Long Island Rail Road service into Grand Central Terminal is finally set to begin on Monday, significantly increasing service capacity on the railroad and bringing a new, augmented schedule for riders. Grand Central Madison, the brand-new 714,000-square-foot terminal situated deep underneath Manhattan’s east side, will host 296 LIRR trains per day starting Feb. 27, out of a new total of 936 LIRR trains going in-and-out of Grand Central and Penn Station. more: https://www.amny.com/transit/grand-central-madison-opens-full-lirr-service-monday/
March 6, 20232 yr Brightline in Florida hit 130mph in testing. I’m not sure where in the video it hits 130 and quite a bit is at lower speeds, but I do like how a good chunk is along highways so that drivers will be able to see how slow they are compared to the train. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 6, 20232 yr Author Looks like it hasn't rained in a while in that part of Florida. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 12, 20232 yr Here’s a bit more on the proposed NYC to Atlanta to Dallas / Fort Worth long distance Amtrak service. Same route as the first part of the Crescent Service (NYC-ATL- New Orleans). Not yet clear if it will be separate from Crescent, or if a single train will be split at Meridian Mississippi like the Lake Shore Express. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 12, 20232 yr Author A Dallas section of the Crescent was proposed back in the 1980s. But the Lake Shore Limited in 1975 was the last new Amtrak long-distance service to still be running today. Although the Capitol Limited sort-of is, even though it was a section of the Broadway Limited that became a separate train in 1986. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 14, 20232 yr Brightline West (LA to Vegas) update: https://cal.streetsblog.org/2023/03/09/high-speed-rail-to-vegas-clears-another-hurdle/ The dream of high-speed rail from the major cities of California to Las Vegas took a step forward today with the announcement of a labor agreement to construct the 260-mile Brightline West project. From a statement: …the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC), Southern Nevada Building Trades Union, and Brightline West announced a historic memorandum of understanding to construct America’s first true high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. The agreement will ensure that Brightline West will be built with unionized labor in California and Nevada, creating nearly 10,000 construction jobs and career opportunities. Construction on the $10 billion project is expected to start later this year, with a potential starter segment to open in time for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. There are stations planned for Rancho Cucamonga, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Las Vegas. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 21, 20232 yr I like transit maps and this one is particularly cool. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 21, 20232 yr Author Nice presentation concept but there's a few errors. And why no VRE or Amtrak into Virgina or Keystone/Empire Amtrak shown? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 21, 20232 yr 14 hours ago, KJP said: Nice presentation concept but there's a few errors. And why no VRE or Amtrak into Virgina or Keystone/Empire Amtrak shown? VRE should be probably there, but I don’t think the other Amtrak services would be characterized as regional/commuter rail. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 22, 20232 yr Author 10 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said: VRE should be probably there, but I don’t think the other Amtrak services would be characterized as regional/commuter rail. No they aren't. Yet the Downeaster is shown. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 28, 20232 yr The success of passenger rail in North Carolina is a reminder that service doesn’t need to be perfect, or even particularly good, to generate solid ridership and be worth the investment. It just needs reliability and decent frequency. None of the connected NC cities has great public transit and the population served is somewhat less than what would be served by 3C&D. They are closing in on 50k passengers per month, and are 32% above pre-pandemic numbers. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
March 28, 20232 yr Author More... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 28, 20232 yr On 3/6/2023 at 9:54 AM, Boomerang_Brian said: Brightline in Florida hit 130mph in testing. I’m not sure where in the video it hits 130 and quite a bit is at lower speeds, but I do like how a good chunk is along highways so that drivers will be able to see how slow they are compared to the train. Brightline wins again! (So sorry, Hyperloop.)
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