Metro north- Conn DOT -comittee needs info

[kitbasher]

Gosh I hope this isn't classified as politics, but I attended a meeting this evening concerning the Metro north/ CTDOT joint line, 'to where' is the issue. The money was spent, the work is being done- as far as the Mass. state line. It seems there are many questions about the authority and ownership of the old New Haven's 'Springfield line'. In 2003, $125 million US funding was granted to rebuild the historic Union Station. So far, nothing has been done. In the mean time, nearly all the track work is progressing, including Amtrak's line in Mass. 1st question- who OWNS this line? Amtrak has taken it over since early Conrail days, I 'presume' they OWN it? 2nd, if federal funds were set aside for a transport hub, is there a 'misappropreation' if  state/and or city governments choose to delay the project? 3rd, is this project considered an 'interstate commerce' issue? Any corporate or governmental leads you know of will be very helpfull aswell. Please, no threads of political rants, as the moderator asked, just replies we all can learn from. This is not for my personal quams, there is a group called Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commutor Rail now forming to take on these issues, and we need informed people to lead us in a direction ASAP. Sorry to say, I am the only railfan there, so this job fell on me. Thanks, and thank you Trains magazine-Tony     

[daveklepper]

Amtrak owns the Springfield line, from the junction with the Shore Line all the way to Springfield Union Station.  I don't know who owns the station, but I suspect Amtrak.  The line was bought from Penn Central or Conrail at the time the main NE corridor (with the exception of just east of New Haven Station to Shell interlocking junction, owned by Metro North and Connecticut Dept. of Transportation, divided at the State Line) was purchased by Amtrak.

 

If you can get rolled-rubber diaphragms applied to the A-ends of the new electric commuter cars you will do the trainmen a big favor and there is absolutely no excuse for their not being applied.

[kitbasher]

Thank you David. that is exactly what I thought- what I remember! When Conrail was freeing itself of unwanted penn central properties. When I mentioned this, several jaws from Boson dropped, and the meeting ended shortly afterwards. Not a good sign of what's to come. I am looking for the best email addresses on a Federal level, to make them aware of this issue, as well as perhaps 'clear the air' at this end. Free free to tell your freinds at your end about this confusion up here. BTW, this whole matter came up because the city of Springfield now owns he station, and was paid in advance to turn it into a tranportation hub, 4 1/2 years later, nothing at all has been done, yet the line improvements seem to be ahead of sched. Amtrack has the rail laid out and the bales of ties offloaded, and now MBTA thinks they have a say in this 'interstate project', we'll see. Thanks again.