Michigan Coast-to-Coast Rail Study

[schlimm]

http://environmentalcouncil.org/mecReports/Coast-to-CoastRailStudy-ExecutiveSummary.pdf

[MidlandMike]

I knew that Michigan was studying Grand Rapids-Detroit passenger service, but I am concerned how the study is progressing.  When alternative routes are consicered, the route that includes the most population centers may skew the stats, if longer distances are not considered.  The larger population sampling may all want new service, however, I doubt the most critical cities, GR and Lansing, will want to endure the diversion to Jackson, just to pick up a handful of additional passengers.  The Lansing-Jackson and Howell-Ann Arbor segments are shortlines, and the higher cost of upgrading those segments is shown in the report.  It is suprising that the AA-Jackson segment (an existing Amtrak corridor) will cost more to upgrade than the Lansing-Howell CSX freight line.

[schlimm]

MidlandMike

The Lansing-Jackson and Howell-Ann Arbor segments are shortlines, and the higher cost of upgrading those segments is shown in the report.  It is suprising that the AA-Jackson segment (an existing Amtrak corridor) will cost more to upgrade than the Lansing-Howell CSX freight line.

That aspect made no sense to me either.

[MidlandMike]

IIRC, Amtrak wants to re-install double track on the Wolverine Corridor, so a new service on the AA-Jackson segment might have to contribute.

[dakotafred]

I'm puzzled by the "coast to coast" moniker. Is this a pretentious way of saying "border to border" or "shore to shore"?

[Wizlish]

schlimm

MidlandMike

The Lansing-Jackson and Howell-Ann Arbor segments are shortlines, and the higher cost of upgrading those segments is shown in the report.  It is suprising that the AA-Jackson segment (an existing Amtrak corridor) will cost more to upgrade than the Lansing-Howell CSX freight line.

That aspect made no sense to me either.

Some of the specific details are said to be in section 1.4.1 and Chapter 4 of the full report, a .pdf download. 

Note also the very important NS principles in the link at the bottom of page 1-6.  (My version of Acrobat made it impossible to copy the link, but just clicking on it automatically downloads a copy whether I want one or not.  Not sure I comprehend why people design software this way sometimes...)

 

[daveklepper]

The ''''coasts" are obviously those of Great Lakes, not the two major oceans.

[Electroliner 1935]

I note this line from the study:

"At present the passenger proposals laid out here are still un-negotiated, un-funded and at a pre-feasibility level." 

This is as it should be but one can hope that this bears fruit. As a potential passenger, this would be nice. As a shareholder of NS stock, the principles stated are valid in protecting the Railroads property. 

[dakotafred]

daveklepper

The ''''coasts" are obviously those of Great Lakes, not the two major oceans.

 

Yeah, and who that you know would say he lives on the "coast" of Lake Huron or the "coast" of Lake Michigan?

Grandiose flapdoodle by post-literate bureaucrats with a tin ear!

[schlimm]

Should have been "Shore to Shore."   But what about the plans, routes and service levels and speed?

 

[MidlandMike]

Wizlish

...

Note also the very important NS principles in the link at the bottom of page 1-6.  ...

 

NS now only owns a short segment of the route in the Detroit area.  I'm sure Amtrak could live with 79 mph limit east of Dearborn.

[bill613a]

This is an interesting proposal with much potential. Since the state of Michigan owns the two Wisconsin Talgos why not run tests over the proposed routes to see what condition the tracks are in and get a feel as to what Talgos can do on them.  Why not spend some funds on this and let the public get a look at what is possible?

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Lake Erie coast line in Ohio is known as the north coast.

[dakotafred]

ROBERT WILLISON

Lake Erie coast line in Ohio is known as the north coast.

 

 

To whom, and since when? I was born in Cleveland -- admittedly, a long time ago-- lived there 22 years, try to keep up with the Best Location, and I've never heard 'North Coast' in my life.

[Buslist]

bill613a

Since the state of Michigan owns the two Wisconsin Talgos 

 

. Since when?

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Dakotafred, goggle it and you will be enlighten. Their is a specific north coast area in Cleveland itself and for the the entire region. Their are many references to the coast  and business named the same.

I too grew up in Cleveland left and came back. Low and behold their a north coast.

So times they are a changing, can't assume everything stays the same.

[dakotafred]

Okay, Robert, you got me. I will concede the modern, Chamber-type usage.

But, dagnammit, I'll go down with the ship on Webster's absolute, unequivocal limitation of 'coast' to "land alongside the sea; seashore." No provision for lakeside or stock ponds!  

[ROBERT WILLISON]

Dakota, I can agree with you their.