Track Work At Saint Paul Union Depot....

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Hadn't thought of that. Well, an attendant would be a nice improvement.

The Strib says (as noted in the other thread) that the latest guess for the Empire Builder move is mid-February of 2014, because apparently the freight railroads expect to need three months to debug their signal system. (Why do I think they're not treating this as a priority?) That's only a year and three months late. It's still before the light rail line is scheduled to open (which is a vague "mid-2014"). But who knows what the next holdup will be.
Dang it! We have been waiting for so long and right when it is getting close they say "oops sorry wait another 2 months" these delays are really ticking me off.
 
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I'm not sure if it comes down to bureaucracy, ever-increasing complexity, an ever-expanding list of codes and regulations, or some combination of these, but pretty much every large project these days ends up late, over budget, and plagued by unforeseen problems. The new road to the Oregon coast (now five years delayed and double budget due to some faulty geoengineering), the Boeing Dreamliner, the federal and state health care websites. Not surprising that Amtrak's move to SPUD is no exception. Just a bit disappointed that I'll be arriving at Midway instead of SPUD this Christmas.
 
I'm not sure if it comes down to bureaucracy, ever-increasing complexity, an ever-expanding list of codes and regulations, or some combination of these, but pretty much every large project these days ends up late, over budget, and plagued by unforeseen problems. The new road to the Oregon coast (now five years delayed and double budget due to some faulty geoengineering), the Boeing Dreamliner, the federal and state health care websites. Not surprising that Amtrak's move to SPUD is no exception. Just a bit disappointed that I'll be arriving at Midway instead of SPUD this Christmas.
Midway MSP station aint the bad -- SPUD - whenever Amtrak might stop there is impressive, but like I said to visitors last August giving a tour to Seattleites -- SEA is good, has trains -- SPUD is really impressive - but no trains . Good bus service to the airport - gate A1 - at the Metrotransit stop on the lower level. Several Casino buses already stopping at SPUD. And Jefferson lines connections to Duluth, Rochester, points East and West. - but - no trains. Maybe next year.

For now, there's a decent restaurant in the front hall -- but will not be open when the Empire Builder arrives eastbound or westbound.

Anir -- if you want a local guide - PM me - I'm in walking distance from old MSP Midway.
 
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[SIZE=medium]A Remembrance From Afar[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]When I was just a little kid in the 60’s, my grandparents would arrive for the holidays at the Milwaukee Road Depot. I remember waiting, shivering cold, and then climbing aboard the warm Rock Island train to find my grandparents. About that same time, my third grade class took a field trip on the Empire Builder from the Great Northern Depot to St. Paul Union Depot. My first train ride.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]As I got older, Amtrak took over. I spent many hours at the Great Northern Depot watching the trains come and go, all in almost their original consists. My birthday presents were tickets to ride. I rode on the (almost) original consists of the Super Chief, Empire Builder, Broadway Ltd....[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]In my teens, I watched Amtrak build the new Midway Station. It was, to us youngsters, marvelous. Amtrak was succeeding! Many years later, my heart sank as I saw the Great Northern Depot come down. The abandoned St. Paul Union Depot could not be far behind, and the Milwaukee Road Station was a ghost, also awaiting the wrecking ball.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Today I see the Milwaukee Road Station preserved, light rail lines connecting the cities, and—wonder of wonders—St. Paul Union Depot renovated and beginning a new life as a cultural and transit center. I never would have dared to hope for such things. Now in my 50’s, I live in Los Angeles, where similar miracles are happening.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]All things considered, we have done well, fellow rail fans. As the new year dawns, I am grateful and, miracle of miracles, hopeful.[/SIZE]
 
I'm not sure if it comes down to bureaucracy, ever-increasing complexity, an ever-expanding list of codes and regulations, or some combination of these, but pretty much every large project these days ends up late, over budget, and plagued by unforeseen problems.
Most often, it's "too many cooks". When one agency has total control, things can go pretty quick. Boeing self-sabotaged by outsourcing too much. SPUD had to deal with 3 separate Class I railroads. Often, subcontracting is at fault.
 
Amtrak has a single engine doing testing at the St. Paul Union Depot tonight. It looks like they are testing out the mainline switches as well as the switches within the confines of the depot property. Looked pretty awesome to look down from HWY 52 and see live action down in the depot area! It also appears that all of the signals are now live and functioning. Only wish that I had my camera with me!
 
Curious, but would it be safe to presume that the green grassy area to the right of the train in that photo above is intended as space for potential expansion of rail services into and out of SPUD? Sort of a landscaped placeholder to keep room for additional platforms to be built as-needed?

If so, it is refreshing to have people actually thinking ahead with plans instead of just building for the present.
 
Curious, but would it be safe to presume that the green grassy area to the right of the train in that photo above is intended as space for potential expansion of rail services into and out of SPUD? Sort of a landscaped placeholder to keep room for additional platforms to be built as-needed?
Yep, that's where the proposed future commuter rail platforms, and the proposed light rail platforms, would go. The plans can probably still be found on the web somewhere.
 
Curious, but would it be safe to presume that the green grassy area to the right of the train in that photo above is intended as space for potential expansion of rail services into and out of SPUD? Sort of a landscaped placeholder to keep room for additional platforms to be built as-needed?.
It is the grassy knoll tranported from Dallas so the elusive second assassin can hide.
 
Glad to see them preserving the future tracks and in a way that's also very nice and not just a concrete or gravel nightmare. How many tracks will run through the station as opposed to being stub-ended?
 
#8 was stopped at the station tonight. Portland sleeper was aligned with the headhouse stairs, hopefully post move the positioning is more centered.
 
Glad to see them preserving the future tracks and in a way that's also very nice and not just a concrete or gravel nightmare. How many tracks will run through the station as opposed to being stub-ended?
There's two thru tracks in the station that connect on the west end to the CP track 1, and on the east end to the BNSF at Division, plus a short stub, plus a long stub to the east.

Me waiting and watching the last two years, and wondering *** -- but --

I think they (local station promoters) got it right, not just for "having a classic rail station" but for possible future connections.

I watched the details, the project included a switch improvement a mile south of the station to allow the UP to not block the station tracks - and another switch upgrade two miles to the east in the super busy Hoffman area --

What I'm saying is -- this project, delayed as it has been - has been planned and implemented for more passenger traffic. Hope that comes to pass.

And yeah, the green space near the new (old) station is real pleasant and safe to wander thru -- see the Mississippi -
 
On the image/photo with Boardman on the rear of the biz car, there's a map, and the words "Amtrak America", and a map with a train X it, AND the ORIGINAL Amtrak "pointless arrow" logo. Do I also remember seeing that on some of the Viewliners under construction at CAF?

If so, (i'm obviously out of the loop, per usual) has this new "Amtrak America" logo/brand been officially adopted by Amtrak for the LD services?
 
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So only the two tracks go through the station? So commuter trains from the west will have to back in or just use one of the through tracks?
Only two tracks go through now, but the plan allows for up to six tracks to pass through the station as needed.
Here is the site map for the St. Paul Union Depot (SPUD). There are currently four through tracks in place, two for the Amtrak Platform and two for future Commuter Rail. LRT tracks are not in place yet under the Concourse. LRT now stops in front of the Head House on 4th Street.

FYI; Most likely future Commuter rail would be the Red Rock Line to Hastings MN. and the Rush Line to Rush Lake MN. Both are to the east out of St. Paul. Their existence is likely a decade out.

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On the image/photo with Boardman on the rear of the biz car, there's a map, and the words "Amtrak America", and a map with a train X it, AND the ORIGINAL Amtrak "pointless arrow" logo. Do I also remember seeing that on some of the Viewliners under construction at CAF?

If so, (i'm obviously out of the loop, per usual) has this new "Amtrak America" logo/brand been officially adopted by Amtrak for the LD services?
Dude, you're so out of the loop. That's totally like last year's news.

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/57231-amtrak-america-new-ld-train-branding/
 
The latest news on the commuter lines is that none of them are likely to happen at all, unfortunately (the studies are favoring buses). Intercity lines such as a second frequency to Chicago or the line to Duluth are more likely in the next decade or two.
 
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