Boardman has announced today that Amtrak is forming a new department dedicated to exploring and promoting HSR including the NEC with a top speed of 220 MPH plans.
1. First thought - why has Amtrak waited so long?
2. Is this going to be just another bereaucratic sinkhole?
3. Could this be a way of getting involved with the California HSR construction and operation? (speeds listed are similar)
Announcement is a 2 page item that can be found on Amtrak's web site under News releases.
Wait so long? Amtrak led the way with US HSR bringing in the Acela, specially designed to run in the NEC at speeds up to 150 MPH. Further projects stalled because Amtrak is controlled more by politics that public need. "Bureaucratic sinkhole?" You'd have to define that. As I see it, if it happens in your district or you benefit from it, then it's a necessary federal program. If it happens in someone elses district or doesn't benefit you in any way, it's a "bureaucratic sinkhole."
blue streak 1Boardman has announced today that Amtrak is forming a new department dedicated to exploring and promoting HSR including the NEC with a top speed of 220 MPH plans. 1. First thought - why has Amtrak waited so long? 2. Is this going to be just another bereaucratic sinkhole?
Does seem a bit late...
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
The press release is worded badly IMHO --- partial phrase "pursue opportunity to develop" . That phrase has the implication that Amtrak has not in the past pursued opportunity. This would have been better worded to say that they were elevating their HSR items to an office of vice president ( which they are doing) reporting to Boardman. The waiting so long can be put to many differerent reasons not the least the desire of past administrations to strangle Amtrak. Next was a partial statement " major improvements on the NEC" . This statement omitted the fact that 220 MPH is going to be very difficult.
The sinkhole I am worried out is a department that really does not proffer any new routes or proposals and stays with the status quo. Reports to congress need to be frequent and very specific. I don't expect all things be done for all areas at once nor can any of us expect such.
blue streak 1 1. First thought - why has Amtrak waited so long? The press release is worded badly IMHO --- partial phrase "pursue opportunity to develop" . That phrase has the implication that Amtrak has not in the past pursued opportunity. This would have been better worded to say that they were elevating their HSR items to an office of vice president ( which they are doing) reporting to Boardman. The waiting so long can be put to many differerent reasons not the least the desire of past administrations to strangle Amtrak. Next was a partial statement " major improvements on the NEC" . This statement omitted the fact that 220 MPH is going to be very difficult. 2. Is this going to be just another bereaucratic sinkhole? The sinkhole I am worried out is a department that really does not proffer any new routes or proposals and stays with the status quo. Reports to congress need to be frequent and very specific. I don't expect all things be done for all areas at once nor can any of us expect such.
In the past, Amtrak put the most effort to "pursue the effort to survive." Pursing opportunity requires money, and in the heavily political climate that Amtrak has existed since day one, money for anything but what was required just didn't exist. Your "better wording" comment is confusing, you claim it would be better to say something, then go on to say it's what they said. The difficulty of doing something like the 220 MPH factor is what would be discovered when they "determine the fesability," as in the first paragraph.
An announcement at this stage would not propose specific routes, that would be the job of the new VP position.
You're looking for a detailed plan when they're just getting the department together.
The NEC "Acela Program" qualified 20 train sets at 165mph for 150mph service between Boston and Washington (aprox 470 miles).
The projected life was 20 years as they entered service in 2000. Now, halfway through the projected life, they are being overhauled for service to 2020.
This IS the proper time to start planning for the next step in High Speed Rail. Taking more land for a more direct High Speed Route is not a viable option. Cost and political opposition!
Can the planners get another 70mph out of a "Right of Way" built 180 years ago?
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Why wait so long? First, as noted, Amtrak inherited all it got at the beginning including a "we've always done it this way" mentality in management and labor practice. Second, it actually did get a high speed program in the NE Corridor with Metroliner mentality if not service. Third, Amtrak is governed not by the President and the appointed Board but by politics at the behest of each member of Congress: it is "I don't want it, it's Socialism" married to "I want this train blind politics" without regard to business models, capital funding, and smartly defined "service" needs. Joe B. has done a lot of talk, and I believe he is sincere in his statements and policies. I hope for his sake, for Amtrak's sake, and the public's sake, that even half of what he wants and needs comes to fruition.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Amtrak no longer has an exclusive right to be the operator of all intercity trains. Circumstances vary and I think under the law they still are the only entity that the freight railroads must work with on any Amtrak routes. That doesn't preclude the freight railroads from voluntarily working with states, other entities, or for that matter, running passenger trains themselves. I don't think there is anything in the applicable statues saying that Calfornia's proposed HSR has to be built and operated by Amtrak.
Amtrak does have staff people working with the states on various aspects of regional services, including those looking to high speed or higher speed services. Given the Fed's general approach to let states come forward with plans and the granting of federal funds to states to advance those plans, it seems to me that Amtrak needs to have well organized effort, with staffing, if they want to get a good piece of the new HSR action.
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.