THe TRAINS NEWSWIRE of this date has the story:WASHINGTON — Amtrak is contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets that will replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service. The contract is part of $2.45 billion that will be invested on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor as part of a multifaceted modernization program to renew and expand the Acela Express service. “Amtrak is taking the necessary actions to keep our customers, the Northeast region and the American economy moving forward,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “These trainsets and the modernization and improvement of infrastructure will provide our customers with the mobility and experience of the future.”
VEEPJoe Biden made the announcement at His Station in Delaware today.
Sounds great, but is this not the same AMTRAK that is currently threatening to cut service on the NEC because it is in a battle with the States along the way over WHO is going to pay for the infrastructure maintenance?
Further from the same Newswire piece: [snip] "...“As more people rely on Amtrak, we need modernized equipment and infrastructure to keep the region moving,” said Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors Anthony Coscia. “These trainsets will build on the popularity and demand of the current Acela Express and move this company into the future as a leader in providing world-class transportation.” The new trainsets will operate along the Washington — New York — Boston Northeast Corridor initially at speeds up to 160 mph and will be capable of speeds up to 186 mph and thus will be able to take advantage of future NEC infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the trainsets use the base design of one of the safest high-speed trainsets. Concentrated power cars, located at each end of the trainset, provide an extra buffer of protection.." [snipped]
Terrific, sounds like these new trainsets will be delivered and in operation 'toot sweet' I am not even sure they have been set up for production, or have the troops that maintain them been trained....There has got to be some time aloted to build them and get them in service... And, OH Yeah, How are they going to be paid for ? It is roughly, twice what was sent to Iran...
Here is alink to a similar story @ http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/biden-announces-2.45b-amtrak-loan-at-biden-station/article/2600303
Where are they goingto get the 2.45 billion dollars??? They are always crying that they are broke to congress???
caldreamer Where are they goingto get the 2.45 billion dollars??? They are always crying that they are broke to congress???
It's a loan from the Department of Transportation.
In my opinion it ought to be a gift or grant, instead.
We can afford this because Mexico will pay for the Wall and quitting NATO will save us tons of money, right?
I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets. Later in the Examiner story is this:
"Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement."
Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time.
RMEfour of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station,
"Moynihan Station"? Where the devil is Moynihan Station? In Dublin? Belfast? Derry? Why would Amtrak have a station on the Emerald Isle? (Seriously, is this a non-starter as a name for Penn Station?)
RME: You're 100% right about where all that money is supposed to go; it's not just for train sets.
RME "I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets..." Later in the Examiner story is this: "Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement." Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time.
"I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets..." Later in the Examiner story is this:
FTL:"...The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services.
The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.
Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing programme, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues.
The loan will also fund improvements at Wahington Union Station and Moynihan station in New York, as well as modernisation of depot facilities in preparation for the arrival of the new trains..."
The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Which sort of plays tricks with the 40% number of increased seat availibility, as a couple of Posters have mentioned,previously. It seems we are being treated to more of those 'pie-in-the-sky' fuzzy mathematics that the Federal Bureaucracy is so fond of throwing out, only to have to later 'adjust' them down.
In a Previous Thread, I wished Mr. Wink Moorman, Success as he is named to take over AMTRAK. There is no point in going over some of the problems he will face in his new capacity...Many of us posters here are well aware of that littany of issues..Most date back to the launch of AMTRAK and its Congressional Funding..AS Joe Boardman prepares his 'exit' he testified before US House in 2013 many of those issues are still unresolved...
abd fro the following pdf linked @www.awpagesociety.com/attachments/.../AWPS+Case+Study+Report-Amtrak.pdf
LIMITED FEDERAL INVESTMENT LIMITSNORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTUREAmtrak: “We are eating our assets alive.”WASHINGTON – The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC)infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss ofasset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuityof passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee today."There is insufficient NEC infrastructure investment to meet both the on-goingnormalized replacement and the backlog capital requirements. And that means we are eating our assets..."
Further from the Pdf "...Boardman noted Amtrak needs $782 million every year for the next 15 years just for the costs of NEC normalized replacement ($386 million) and the backlog of infrastructure work ($396 million). That level of funding will allow Amtrak to run a safe railroad at maximum allowed track speed, maintain an excellent on-time performance and meet the basic needs of those who want to develop real estate along the NEC and fill their development with the people who they expect to come by train. However, it will not address needed capacity improvements, trip-time reductions or other new initiatives..." [snipped]
Hopefully, Mr. Moorman will be able to get AMTRAK onto a course that will keep it viable, and the National Carrier it was supposed to become, when created. He has the railroading ;sense'; lets hope the politicians will work with him. Moorman's position in his new appointment seems remarkably similar to USMC Gen. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller's position at the Battle of the Chosin Resivoir " “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!” [When the Marines were cut off behind enemy lines and the Army had written the 1st Marine Division off as being lost because they were surrounded by 22 enemy divisions. The Marines made it out, inflicting the highest casualty ratio on an enemy in history,and destroying 7 entire enemy divisions in the process. An enemy division is 16500+ men while a Marine division is 12500 men.]
All General L.B. Puller, and his men had to face were Chinese Communists...Mr. Wink Moorman has to face 535 elected politicians... –
RME "Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement."
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/08/26/vice-president-joe-biden-and-deputy-secretary-transportation-victor
samfp1943 RME "I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets..." Later in the Examiner story is this: "Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement." Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time. And you would be correct RME ! Information follows from this linked site @http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/amtrak-orders-alstom-trains-for-northeast-corridor.html?channel=000 FTL:"...The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services. The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat. Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing programme, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues. The loan will also fund improvements at Wahington Union Station and Moynihan station in New York, as well as modernisation of depot facilities in preparation for the arrival of the new trains..." The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Which sort of plays tricks with the 40% number of increased seat availibility, as a couple of Posters have mentioned,previously. It seems we are being treated to more of those 'pie-in-the-sky' fuzzy mathematics that the Federal Bureaucracy is so fond of throwing out, only to have to later 'adjust' them down. In a Previous Thread, I wished Mr. Wink Moorman, Success as he is named to take over AMTRAK. There is no point in going over some of the problems he will face in his new capacity...Many of us posters here are well aware of that littany of issues..Most date back to the launch of AMTRAK and its Congressional Funding..AS Joe Boardman prepares his 'exit' he testified before US House in 2013 many of those issues are still unresolved... abd fro the following pdf linked @www.awpagesociety.com/attachments/.../AWPS+Case+Study+Report-Amtrak.pdf LIMITED FEDERAL INVESTMENT LIMITSNORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTUREAmtrak: “We are eating our assets alive.”WASHINGTON – The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC)infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss ofasset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuityof passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee today."There is insufficient NEC infrastructure investment to meet both the on-goingnormalized replacement and the backlog capital requirements. And that means we are eating our assets..." Further from the Pdf "...Boardman noted Amtrak needs $782 million every year for the next 15 years just for the costs of NEC normalized replacement ($386 million) and the backlog of infrastructure work ($396 million). That level of funding will allow Amtrak to run a safe railroad at maximum allowed track speed, maintain an excellent on-time performance and meet the basic needs of those who want to develop real estate along the NEC and fill their development with the people who they expect to come by train. However, it will not address needed capacity improvements, trip-time reductions or other new initiatives..." [snipped] Hopefully, Mr. Moorman will be able to get AMTRAK onto a course that will keep it viable, and the National Carrier it was supposed to become, when created. He has the railroading ;sense'; lets hope the politicians will work with him. Moorman's position in his new appointment seems remarkably similar to USMC Gen. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller's position at the Battle of the Chosin Resivoir " “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!” [When the Marines were cut off behind enemy lines and the Army had written the 1st Marine Division off as being lost because they were surrounded by 22 enemy divisions. The Marines made it out, inflicting the highest casualty ratio on an enemy in history,and destroying 7 entire enemy divisions in the process. An enemy division is 16500+ men while a Marine division is 12500 men.] All General L.B. Puller, and his men had to face were Chinese Communists...Mr. Wink Moorman has to face 535 elected politicians... –
And you would be correct RME ! Information follows from this linked site @http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/amtrak-orders-alstom-trains-for-northeast-corridor.html?channel=000
The Marines had it easier - they could kill the Chinese, Mr. Moorman has to talk sense into Congress.
Nicely played, samfp1943 and SALfan! Nicely played indeed!
SALfan samfp1943 RME "I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets..." Later in the Examiner story is this: "Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement." Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time. And you would be correct RME ! Information follows from this linked site @http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/amtrak-orders-alstom-trains-for-northeast-corridor.html?channel=000 FTL:"...The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services. The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat. Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing programme, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues. The loan will also fund improvements at Wahington Union Station and Moynihan station in New York, as well as modernisation of depot facilities in preparation for the arrival of the new trains..." The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Which sort of plays tricks with the 40% number of increased seat availibility, as a couple of Posters have mentioned,previously. It seems we are being treated to more of those 'pie-in-the-sky' fuzzy mathematics that the Federal Bureaucracy is so fond of throwing out, only to have to later 'adjust' them down. In a Previous Thread, I wished Mr. Wink Moorman, Success as he is named to take over AMTRAK. There is no point in going over some of the problems he will face in his new capacity...Many of us posters here are well aware of that littany of issues..Most date back to the launch of AMTRAK and its Congressional Funding..AS Joe Boardman prepares his 'exit' he testified before US House in 2013 many of those issues are still unresolved... abd fro the following pdf linked @www.awpagesociety.com/attachments/.../AWPS+Case+Study+Report-Amtrak.pdf LIMITED FEDERAL INVESTMENT LIMITSNORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTUREAmtrak: “We are eating our assets alive.”WASHINGTON – The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC)infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss ofasset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuityof passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee today."There is insufficient NEC infrastructure investment to meet both the on-goingnormalized replacement and the backlog capital requirements. And that means we are eating our assets..." Further from the Pdf "...Boardman noted Amtrak needs $782 million every year for the next 15 years just for the costs of NEC normalized replacement ($386 million) and the backlog of infrastructure work ($396 million). That level of funding will allow Amtrak to run a safe railroad at maximum allowed track speed, maintain an excellent on-time performance and meet the basic needs of those who want to develop real estate along the NEC and fill their development with the people who they expect to come by train. However, it will not address needed capacity improvements, trip-time reductions or other new initiatives..." [snipped] Hopefully, Mr. Moorman will be able to get AMTRAK onto a course that will keep it viable, and the National Carrier it was supposed to become, when created. He has the railroading ;sense'; lets hope the politicians will work with him. Moorman's position in his new appointment seems remarkably similar to USMC Gen. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller's position at the Battle of the Chosin Resivoir " “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!” [When the Marines were cut off behind enemy lines and the Army had written the 1st Marine Division off as being lost because they were surrounded by 22 enemy divisions. The Marines made it out, inflicting the highest casualty ratio on an enemy in history,and destroying 7 entire enemy divisions in the process. An enemy division is 16500+ men while a Marine division is 12500 men.] All General L.B. Puller, and his men had to face were Chinese Communists...Mr. Wink Moorman has to face 535 elected politicians... The Marines had it easier - they could kill the Chinese, Mr. Moorman has to talk sense into Congress.
samfp1943 RME "I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets..." Later in the Examiner story is this: "Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement." Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time. And you would be correct RME ! Information follows from this linked site @http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/amtrak-orders-alstom-trains-for-northeast-corridor.html?channel=000 FTL:"...The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services. The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat. Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing programme, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues. The loan will also fund improvements at Wahington Union Station and Moynihan station in New York, as well as modernisation of depot facilities in preparation for the arrival of the new trains..." The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Which sort of plays tricks with the 40% number of increased seat availibility, as a couple of Posters have mentioned,previously. It seems we are being treated to more of those 'pie-in-the-sky' fuzzy mathematics that the Federal Bureaucracy is so fond of throwing out, only to have to later 'adjust' them down. In a Previous Thread, I wished Mr. Wink Moorman, Success as he is named to take over AMTRAK. There is no point in going over some of the problems he will face in his new capacity...Many of us posters here are well aware of that littany of issues..Most date back to the launch of AMTRAK and its Congressional Funding..AS Joe Boardman prepares his 'exit' he testified before US House in 2013 many of those issues are still unresolved... abd fro the following pdf linked @www.awpagesociety.com/attachments/.../AWPS+Case+Study+Report-Amtrak.pdf LIMITED FEDERAL INVESTMENT LIMITSNORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTUREAmtrak: “We are eating our assets alive.”WASHINGTON – The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC)infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss ofasset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuityof passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee today."There is insufficient NEC infrastructure investment to meet both the on-goingnormalized replacement and the backlog capital requirements. And that means we are eating our assets..." Further from the Pdf "...Boardman noted Amtrak needs $782 million every year for the next 15 years just for the costs of NEC normalized replacement ($386 million) and the backlog of infrastructure work ($396 million). That level of funding will allow Amtrak to run a safe railroad at maximum allowed track speed, maintain an excellent on-time performance and meet the basic needs of those who want to develop real estate along the NEC and fill their development with the people who they expect to come by train. However, it will not address needed capacity improvements, trip-time reductions or other new initiatives..." [snipped] Hopefully, Mr. Moorman will be able to get AMTRAK onto a course that will keep it viable, and the National Carrier it was supposed to become, when created. He has the railroading ;sense'; lets hope the politicians will work with him. Moorman's position in his new appointment seems remarkably similar to USMC Gen. Lewis 'Chesty' Puller's position at the Battle of the Chosin Resivoir " “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!” [When the Marines were cut off behind enemy lines and the Army had written the 1st Marine Division off as being lost because they were surrounded by 22 enemy divisions. The Marines made it out, inflicting the highest casualty ratio on an enemy in history,and destroying 7 entire enemy divisions in the process. An enemy division is 16500+ men while a Marine division is 12500 men.] All General L.B. Puller, and his men had to face were Chinese Communists...Mr. Wink Moorman has to face 535 elected politicians...
All General L.B. Puller, and his men had to face were Chinese Communists...Mr. Wink Moorman has to face 535 elected politicians...
If someone gets elected, Congress might get Fired! What Constitution?
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The way I read it was $2 Billion for the Alstom trainsets and $450 million for NEC infrastructure upgrades for a total of $2.45 Billion. I agree on it being a grant not a loan and lets not kid ourselves here it will be turned into a grant just iike the loan was for the Acela trainsets, revenues might repay part of the loan but Amtrak is going to need help from Congress covering the whole amount and will need to remove $2.5 Billion from it's balance sheet long before 2021, it has other projects to fund and not enough room on the balance sheet to cover them all. Namely the tunnel project between NJ and Manhattan that needs to be completed in the next 5-10 years to avoid massive disruption.
Sam: Not to be nasty but some of your info on the Chosin Reservoir is amiss. Here are a few: Chesty Puller became a General later, but at that time was a full colonel in charge of the 1st Marine Regiment. He organized Operation Drydale using G company of the 1st Marines, but also the 41st Royal Marine Commando and B company of the 31st infantry (US army). Chinese divisions nominally had ~10,000 men. The 1st division (US Marines, commander Maj. General Oliver Smith) had an effective strength of 25,473 + with other forces combined total about 30,000. The Chinese forces (9th Army) were about 120,000. The battle was a textbook example of a highly skillful, successful retreat, fought with great bravery.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimm Sam: Not to be nasty but some of your info on the Chosin Reservoir is amiss. Here are a few: Chesty Puller became a General later, but at that time was a full colonel in charge of the 1st Marine Regiment. He organized Operation Drydale using G company of the 1st Marines, but also the 41st Royal Marine Commando and B company of the 31st infantry (US army). Chinese divisions nominally had ~10,000 men. The 1st division (US Marines, commander Maj. General Oliver Smith) had an effective strength of 25,473 + with other forces combined total about 30,000. The Chinese forces (9th Army) were about 120,000. The battle was a textbook example of a highly skillful, successful retreat, fought with great bravery.
Professor, Absolutely, would not argue with your account of life events of Louis Burwell Puller aka "Chesty". H is almost mithological in the " Halls of Montezuma" his accomplishments are lefgendary. In his career which spanned some 40 years he earned in combat, a Silver Star, a Bronz Star, a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Service Cross, and FIVE Navy Crosses. [ A Distinguished Service Cross ( Gen. Puller's was awarded by the U.S. Army) is the second highest award behind the CMOH, and the Navy Cross is third in line behinf the DSC. ]
Here is some information on part of the time in Korea you had mentioned :[snip]"...In January 1951, Puller was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned duty as assistant division commander (ADC) of the 1st Marine Division. On February 24, however, his immediate superior, Major General O.P. Smith, was hastily transferred to command IX Corps when its Army commander, Major General Bryant Moore, died. Smith's temporary transfer left Puller temporarily in command of the 1st Marine Division until sometime in March. He completed his tour of duty as assistant commander and left for the United States on May 20, 1951..."[snipped] and here is the full link @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesty_Puller
[Like politicians, Former military officers are shown 'respect' by addressing them with a salutation using their highest title achieved in their service to the Country. ]
All true. However, when examining a specific historical period such as a battle, it is more correct to refer to a soldier's rank at that time. Along with his valor and medals, Puller also had a 'darker side' in his combat record, like most great commanders.
http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/images/23/072305.jpg
The New York Times, May 12, 1994
Lewis Puller Jr., Vietnam Hero and Biographer, Is Dead at 48
RICHMOND, May 11—Lewis B. Puller Jr., who won the Pulitzer Prize for chronicling his fight against despair and alcoholism after he lost both legs while serving in Vietnam, died this afternoon. He was 48 years old.
A spokesman for the police in Fairfax County, Va., said Mr. Puller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Mount Vernon, Va., just outside Washington.
His wife, Linda T. Puller, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was in Richmond today for a one-day session of the Legislature. Friends said the couple had recently separated.
Mr. Puller's book, "Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet" (Grove Weidenfeld, 1991), was written as a tribute to his father, the late Gen. Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller, the most decorated marine in the history of the corps. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 1992.
On winning the award, Mr. Puller told interviewers that he planned to write a second book about the life of Senator Bob Kerrey, Democrat of Nebraska, who met Mr. Puller while both men recuperated from their war wounds at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital in 1968.
Mr. Kerrey said tonight: "He was cut in half. He should have died in the hospital. He had to will himself back to life. Tragically, in the end he was not able to give himself the lift he gave to all those who read his book."
William Styron, who reviewed the book for The New York Times, called it "a dark and corrosive autobiography." Mr. Puller described it as an account of his journey from alienation to reconciliation with a nation that had sent him to war.
In the book, he told of stepping on an enemy land mine while he was a Marine combat platoon leader in Vietnam. "I felt as if I had been airborne forever," he wrote. "I had no idea that the pink mist that engulfed me had been caused by the vaporization of most of my right and left legs."
In public speeches and in conversations with friends, he said the physical and emotional wounds never healed. Still, he called his book "an affirmation of life -- there are second chances."
Tonight Mrs. Puller said in a statement: "To the list of names of victims of the Vietnam War, add the name of Lewis Puller. He suffered terrible wounds that never really healed.
"In his struggle to recovery, we faced many troubled and painful times together. But today, I hope his friends and the family he loved so much will remember the wonderful moments he brought to our lives."
Mr. Puller was awarded the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Lewis B. Puller Jr. was born in Camp Lejeune, N.C., in 1945. He graduated in 1967 from the College of William and Mary, where he also earned a law degree. In 1978, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Democrat in Virginia.
Since 1979 Mr. Puller worked as a senior lawyer in the Defense Department. At his death, he was on a leave of absence and working as a writer in residence at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Puller is survived by a son, Lewis 3d, of Arizona; a daughter, Margaret, of Alaska;two sisters, Martha Downs of Alexandria, Va., and Virginia Dabney of Lexington, Va. A family friend said tonight that funeral plans had not been made.
Through the Marine PR Lens you usually get nothing but Marines in action and the impression you always leave with is the Marines did almost everything by themselves with no help or assistance, if the Army is mentioned it's in a much reduced B part role, that gives you the impression the Marines didn't even need the Army. They win over Congress over with the same BS. It's never true and wasn't true at the battle of Okinawa which the Marines worship, or the adventure in regards to Montezuma. It's a big reason there is always tension between Marines and Army. Marines tend to take a little more credit than what actually happened via their PR machine.
Inchon would not have succedeed as well as it did because the Marines were so slow with moving forwards, MacArthur used the 187th Airborne Infantry to drop in deeper to the pennisula and behind enemy lines to ensure panic gripped the troops to the South that they would be cutoff rapidly. The 187th was surrounded as soon as they landed because they were behind enemy lines.
Likewise on the advance to the Chinese border the Army 187th Infantry dropped in South of Pongyang to encircle it and take it (North Korea's Capitol City). Again ground troops were not moving fast enough to achieve sufficient panic so they had to leap frog with Army Airborne troops.
You'll find that with WWII and even up to today that the Marines are used primarily in rural areas because you get them in a city or built up area they are like a bull in a china job and will generally leave the city in absolute ruins because the methods they use are a lot more crude and without finesse compared to the Army.
AS I had said earlier, I did not want toget 'out in the weeds' (or 'off the reservation' on this issue).... NOW, I DO NOT WANT AN Intermural 'Food Fight' on this, either. It seems readily apparent that you have a strong opinion on where issues of U.S. ARMY vs. Marine Corps are concerned....Opinions you are entitled to have.
The Korean War is now some 65 or so years in History.... so you may enjoy reading a couple of linked sites on that subject. Korean War 1950-53 @
https://www.britannica.com/event/Korean-War
and The Inchon Landing (Sept 15=16) 1950 @
https://www.britannica.com/event/Inchon-landing
They seem to arrange the events you have mentioned, somewhat differently (?)
and finally this link might be of some interest, as well @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur
scroll down to the sub-head:Removal from command
And here is a picture of President Truman on a train to bring us back towrds the topic. :)
CMStPnPand without finesse compared to the Army.
Yes, after three years in the army, that was my impression: nothing but finesse.
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
My fellow Americans:
I want to talk to you plainly tonight about what we are doing in Korea and about our policy in the Far East.
In the simplest terms, what we are doing in Korea is this: We are trying to prevent a third world war.
I think most people in this country recognized that fact last June. And they warmly supported the decision of the Government to help the Republic of Korea against the Communist aggressors. Now, many persons, even some who applauded our decision to defend Korea, have forgotten the basic reason for our action.
It is right for us to be in Korea now. It was right last June. It is right today.
I want to remind you why this is true.
The Communists in the Kremlin are engaged in a monstrous conspiracy to stamp out freedom all over the world. If they were to succeed, the United States would be numbered among their principal victims. It must be clear to everyone that the United States cannot—and will not—sit idly by and await foreign conquest. The only question is: What is the best time to meet the threat and how is the best way to meet it?
The best time to meet the threat is in the beginning. It is easier to put out a fire in the beginning when it is small than after it has become a roaring blaze. And the best way to meet the threat of aggression is for the peace-loving nations to act together. If they don't act together, they are likely to be picked off, one by one.
If they had followed the right policies in the 1930's—if the free countries had acted together to crush the aggression of the dictators, and if they had acted in the beginning when the aggression was small—there probably would have been no World War II.
If history has taught us anything, it is that aggression anywhere in the world is a threat to the peace everywhere in the world. When that aggression is supported by the cruel and selfish rulers of a powerful nation who are bent on conquest, it becomes a clear and present danger to the security and independence of every free nation.
This is a lesson that most people in this country have learned thoroughly. This is the basic reason why we have joined in creating the United Nations. And, since the end of World War II, we have been putting that lesson into practice—we have been working with other free nations to check the aggressive designs of the Soviet Union before they can result in a third world war.
That is what we did in Greece, when that nation was threatened by the aggression of international Communism.
The attack against Greece could have led to general war. But this country came to the aid of Greece. The United Nations supported Greek resistance. With our help, the determination and efforts of the Greek people defeated the attack on the spot.
Another big Communist threat to peace was the Berlin blockade. That too could have led to war. But again it was settled because free men would not back down in an emergency.
The aggression against Korea is the boldest and most dangerous move the Communists have yet made.
The attack on Korea was part of a greater plan for conquering all of Asia.
I would like to read to you from a secret intelligence report which came to us after the attack on Korea. It is a report of a speech a Communist army officer in North Korea gave to a group of spies and saboteurs last May, 1 month before South Korea was invaded. The report shows in great detail how this invasion was part of a carefully prepared plot. Here, in part, is what the Communist officer, who had been trained in Moscow, told his men: "Our forces," he said, "are scheduled to attack South Korean forces about the middle of June .... The coming attack on South Korea marks the first step toward the liberation of Asia."
Notice that he used the word "liberation." This is Communist double-talk meaning "conquest."
I have another secret intelligence report here. This one tells what another Communist officer in the Far East told his men several months before the invasion of Korea. Here is what he said: "In order to successfully undertake the long-awaited world revolution, we must first unify Asia .... Java, Indochina, Malaya, India, Tibet, Thailand, Philippines, and Japan are our ultimate targets .... The United States is the only obstacle on our road for the liberation of all the countries in southeast Asia. In other words, we must unify the people of Asia and crush the United States." Again, "liberation" in "commie" language means conquest.
That is what the Communist leaders are telling their people, and that is what they have been trying to do.
They want to control all Asia from the Kremlin.
This plan of conquest is in flat contradiction to what we believe. We believe that Korea belong to the Koreans, we believe that India belongs to the Indians, we believe that all the nations of Asia should be free to work out their affairs in their own way. This is the basis of peace in the Far East, and it is the basis of peace everywhere else.
The whole Communist imperialism is back of the attack on peace in the Far East. It was the Soviet Union that trained and equipped the North Koreans for aggression. The Chinese Communists massed 44 well-trained and well-equipped divisions on the Korean frontier. These were the troops they threw into battle when the North Korean Communists were beaten.
The question we have had to face is whether the Communist plan of conquest can be stopped without a general war. Our Government and other countries associated with us in the United Nations believe that the best chance of stopping it without a general war is to meet the attack in Korea and defeat it there.
That is what we have been doing. It is a difficult and bitter task.
But so far it has been successful.
So far, we have prevented World War III.
So far, by fighting a limited war in Korea, we have prevented aggression from succeeding, and bringing on a general war. And the ability of the whole free world to resist Communist aggression has been greatly improved.
We have taught the enemy a lesson. He has found that aggression is not cheap or easy, Moreover, men all over the world who want to remain free have been given new courage and new hope. They know now that the champions of freedom can stand up and fight, and that they will stand up and fight.
Our resolute stand in Korea is helping the forces of freedom now fighting in Indochina and other countries in that part of the world. It has already slowed down the timetable of conquest.
In Korea itself there are signs that the enemy is building up his ground forces for a new mass offensive. We also know that there have been large increases in the enemy's available air forces.
If a new attack comes, I feel confident it will be turned back. The United Nations fighting forces are tough and able and well equipped. They are fighting for a just cause. They are proving to all the world that the principle of collective security will work. We are proud of all these forces for the magnificent job they have done against heavy odds. We pray that their efforts may succeed, for upon their success may hinge the peace of the world.
The Communist side must now choose its course of action. The Communist rulers may press the attack against us. They may take further action which will spread the conflict. They have that choice, and with it the awful responsibility for what may follow. The Communists also have the choice of a peaceful settlement which could lead to a general relaxation of the tensions in the Far East. The decision is theirs, because the forces of the United Nations will strive to limit the conflict if possible. We do not want to see the conflict in Korea extended. We are trying to prevent a world war—not to start one. And the best way to do that is to make it plain that we and the other free countries will continue to resist the attack.
But you may ask why can't we take other steps to punish the aggressor. Why don't we bomb Manchuria and China itself? Why don't we assist the Chinese Nationalist troops to land on the mainland of China ?
If we were to do these things we would be running a very grave risk of starting a general war. If that were to happen, we would have brought about the exact situation we are trying to prevent.
If we were to do these things, we would become entangled in a vast conflict on the continent of Asia and our task would become immeasurably more difficult all over the world.
What would suit the ambitions of the Kremlin better than for our military forces to be committed to a full-scale war with Red China?
It may well be that, in spite of our best efforts, the Communists may spread the war. But it would be wrong—tragically wrong—for us to take the initiative in extending the war.
The dangers are great. Make no mistake about it. Behind the North Koreans and Chinese Communists in the front lines stand additional millions of Chinese soldiers. And behind the Chinese stand the tanks, the planes, the submarines, the soldiers, and the scheming rulers of the Soviet Union.
Our aim is to avoid the spread of the conflict.
The course we have been following is the one best calculated to avoid an all-out war. It is the course consistent with our obligation to do all we can to maintain international peace and security. Our experience in Greece and Berlin shows that it is the most effective course of action we can follow.
First of all, it is clear that our efforts in Korea can blunt the will of the Chinese Communists to continue the struggle. The United Nations forces have put up a tremendous fight in Korea and have inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. Our forces are stronger now than they have been before. These are plain facts which may discourage the Chinese Communists from continuing their attack.
Second, the free world as a whole is growing in military strength every day. In the United States, in Western Europe, and throughout the world, free men are alert to the Soviet threat and are building their defenses. This may. discourage the Communist rulers from continuing the war in Korea—and from undertaking new acts of aggression elsewhere.
If the Communist authorities realize that they cannot defeat us in Korea, if they realize it would be foolhardy to widen the hostilities beyond Korea, then they may recognize the folly of continuing their aggression. A peaceful settlement may then be possible. The door is always open.
Then we may achieve a settlement in Korea which will not compromise the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
I have thought long and hard about this question of extending the war in Asia. I have discussed it many times with the ablest military advisers in the country. I believe with all my heart that the course we are following is the best course.
I believe that we must try to limit the war to Korea for these vital reasons: to make sure that the precious lives of our fighting men are not wasted; to see that the security of our country and the free world is not needlessly jeopardized; and to prevent a third world war.
A number of events have made it evident that General MacArthur did not agree with that policy. I have therefore considered it essential to relieve General MacArthur so that there would be no doubt or confusion as to the real purpose and aim of our policy.
It was with the deepest personal regret that I found myself compelled to take this action. General MacArthur is one of our greatest military commanders. But the cause of world peace is much more important than any individual.
The change in commands in the Far East means no change whatever in the policy of the United States. We will carry on the fight in Korea with vigor and determination in an effort to bring the war to a speedy and successful conclusion. The new commander, Lt. Gen. Matthew Ridgway, has already demonstrated that he has the great qualities of military leadership needed for this task.
We are ready, at any time, to negotiate for a restoration of peace in the area. But we will not engage in appeasement. We are only interested in real peace.
Real peace can be achieved through a settlement based on the following factors:
One: The fighting must stop.
Two: Concrete steps must be taken to insure that the fighting will not break out again.
Three: There must be an end to the aggression.
A settlement founded upon these elements would open the way for the unification of Korea and the withdrawal of all foreign forces.
In the meantime, I want to be clear about our military objective. We are fighting to resist an outrageous aggression in Korea. We are trying to keep the Korean conflict from spreading to other areas. But at the same time we must conduct our military activities so as to insure the security of our forces. This is essential if they are to continue the fight until the enemy abandons its ruthless attempt to destroy the Republic of Korea.
That is our military objective—to repel attack and to restore peace.
In the hard fighting in Korea, we are proving that collective action among nations is not only a high principle but a workable means of resisting aggression. Defeat of aggression in Korea may be the turning point in the world's search for a practical way of achieving peace and security.
The struggle of the United Nations in Korea is a struggle for peace.
Free nations have united their strength in an effort to prevent a third world war.
That war can come if the Communist rulers want it to come. But this Nation and its allies will not be responsible for its coming.
We do not want to widen the conflict. We will use every effort to prevent that disaster. And in so doing, we know that we are following the great principles of peace, freedom, and justice.
The Bulldog Nose? Butt Ugly. Has to be for safter reasons
We cant build anything like the French or Germans who have great design.
samfp1943 The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022...
The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022...
Sorry if I've missed it somewhere, but why are the Acela trainsets being removed from service? Age? Couldn't they give them a rebuild/overhaul and put them into regional service?
dubch87 samfp1943 The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Sorry if I've missed it somewhere, but why are the Acela trainsets being removed from service? Age? Couldn't they give them a rebuild/overhaul and put them into regional service?
The quote came from a response I had made in response to a post by RME.
In part: And you would be correct RME ! Information follows from this linked site: @http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/amtrak-orders-alstom-trains-for-northeast-corridor.html?channel=000
FTL:"...The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards,[ This is the new ALSTOM designed intergal sets] enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services.
The article also mentions that all the present Acela Trainsets will be removed from service in 2022... Which sort of plays tricks with the 40% number of increased seat availibility, as a couple of Posters have mentioned,previously. It seems we are being treated to more of those 'pie-in-the-sky' fuzzy mathematics that the Federal Bureaucracy is so fond of throwing out, only to have to later 'adjust' them down.."
Hope this information will help you dubch87. It was in the original discussion of the Alstom contract and the Federal loan of $2.45 Billion (in part to finance the 28 new train set for the NEC and infrastructure there as well. [ The conversation sort of 'wandered into the weeds', but hopefully is now 'back on track.'
CandOforprogress2 The Bulldog Nose? Butt Ugly. Has to be for safter reasons We cant build anything like the French or Germans who have great design.
Except of course it is a French design.
It just upsets me that all the high speed rail money goes to the east coast and the "North Coast" Great Lakes gets nothing. Chicago to New York and everything in between is not even on the radar screen. Seems to me Amtrak is only funded if it benfits Wall Street Lobbyiests to get to DC and Polticos to go home and visit there wifes and mistresses in New York and send there kids to Ivy League Boston Colleges. Hey I would like to to a Cubs Game every once in while too you know.
No one ever said Life Is Fair! Welcome to the real world of reality and identity politics. It's not me that cynical, it's politicIan's that know nothing about railroading enough and to have any vision past the next election and their own interests. There is a fellow in the race that has talked about railroads and high speed rail but little in the way of specifics.
Posted by CandOforprogress2 on Thursday, September 01, 2016 11:11 AM: It just upsets me that all the high speed rail money goes to the east coast and the "North Coast" Great Lakes gets nothing. Chicago to New York and everything in between is not even on the radar screen. Seems to me Amtrak is only funded if it benfits Wall Street Lobbyiests to get to DC and Polticos to go home and visit there wifes and mistresses in New York and send there kids to Ivy League Boston Colleges. Hey I would like to to a Cubs Game every once in while too you know.
In the Midwest, states such as Illinois, Wisconsin (Hiawatha Service) and Michigan, usually in cooperation with Amtrak and using Fed grants, have developed a growing, faster speed network.
schlimm In the Midwest, states such as Illinois, Wisconsin (Hiawatha Service) and Michigan, usually in cooperation with Amtrak and using Fed grants, have developed a growing, faster speed network.
Others have stated in another forum that the Chargers will not be used on the Hiawatha Service as WI wasn't part of the purchase consortium, any thoughts?
Wisconsin was looking at increasing frequencies of the Hiawathas a year or so ago, but I don't know if that has materialized yet. It is a relatively short distance between the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station and downtown Chicago Union Station - 86 miles or so - with three stops. There are seven daily round trips and six on Sunday. The distance is scheduled to be covered in an hour and 30 minutes so it averages 57 MPH including the three stops.
I would suspect on that route with so many stops and not much opportunity to run at full-out capacity, acceleration to track speed is probably as important - perhaps more important - than top end speed. So the P42 models with maximum speed of 110 mph are probably sufficient to not only meet schedule, but meet any faster schedule improvements that future track improvements could bring.
Amtrak Hiawatha typical consist...
They usually run with a cabbage unit on one end in push-pull fashion...
However, if Hiawathe service were actually scheduled for the Twin Cities at some point in the future, then Chargers might come in handy because there are sections of extended running through Southern Wisconsin between Milwaukee and Lacrosse where, if track structure allowed, their 125 MPH maximum speed capacity could be utilized. These are the sections of the former Milwaukee Road where F7 4-6-4 Baltics were scheduled for triple digit running back in the day on the original Hiawathas.
Milwaukee Road F7 leaving Chicago with a Hiawatha consist...
The former Hiawathas were scheduled for some triple digit running between Chicago and Milwaukee also, but they did not have the number of stops in between that the Hiawatha service now has. It now is more of a "regional commuter" service than a longer-distance point to point service that the original Hiawathas were between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
That is just information for discussion - not meant to be definitive. Others may have more detailed information and other opinions, for sure.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.