Recent content by NES28

It probably makes sense to keep Metra Electric at 1500v DC. It will be much easier to electrify Chicago Union Station using that, rather than high voltage AC, given the tight clearances. Given the number of European HS trains with mixed power capabilities this is, apparently, not difficult.

The state's DC2RVA project, which was cleared with an FRA Record of Decision, is based on shifting all Amtrak trains (except Auto Train) to the S Line, via Main St. Station. Doing the significant upgrades that will be required may not be a top priority for them.

With Amtrak buying the dual mode Ario trains and CT DOT buying dual mode locomotives a mile or so at Hartford could be left without wires initially.

Responding to Anderson, I agree that frequency is essential if passenger rail is to have an impact. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to achieve on shared track owned by a Class 1 freight railroad. The only example is Sacramento-Oakland-Oakland on UP. However, it is my understanding that...

The promoters of this concept have had a lot of success at advancing it. See this recording of this new video presentation that was shown live by the HIgh Speed Rail Alliance on Oct. 20: HSRA presentation on Rio Grande Station.

Apparently, the bottom line is that the vision that Brightine's investors had was very sound and they will do very well. This should send a a very positive message to promoters of HSR around the U.S. Once the ability of HSR to operate without subsidy, rather than the major operating subsidy...

Very interesting analysis. Would having a South Florida commuter operator handling most of that traffic resolve most of the problem? Was this their original assumption?

While, technically, a low-level platform for Chatham would probably be compliant, if FRA funding is involved they likely would fund a station with a high-level platform.

Current US DOT rules require level boarding for the full length of the trains in use on the route. Thus, platform height varies. However, there is a major exception for platforms on tracks owned by private freight railroads (if the specific track is used by freight). In these cases platforms...

I just looked up Peter Pan schedules. I was shocked to see that half of the 6 Springfield-Boston trips require a bus change in Hartford. The others go via Worcester, yielding a 2 hour running time. I remember all service being virtually nonstop between Springfield and Boston. 2 hours on the...

Any rumors as to how soon the additional cars (20?) are expected to arrive from Siemens?

An Inland Route with fast, frequent service would increase the rail market share as well as serve Worcester (rather than Providence).

I think that we can assume that Alstom sees this as a way to get in on the huge (currently monopolistic) market that Siemens has for its Venture cars (for Brightlane-Florida, Midwest corridors, Caltrans, VIA, and Amtrak Airo.

I'm all in favor of passenger trains between Albany, Springfield, Worcester and Boston. But the historic Western RR of Massachusetts route, built 1837-1841, between Worcester and Palmer is extremely circuitous, making trip times on this segment that are vaguely competitive with Peter Pan buses...

I really thought that they'd totally stopped using the cabbages. They are, in reality, very old and, I understand, pretty unreliable, these days.