AMTRAK will buy 28 New Trainsets from Alstom- Price $2.45 Billion

[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.

[NKP guy]

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?  

 

[caldreamer]

Where are they goingto get the 2.45 billion dollars???  They are always crying that they are broke to congress???

[samfp1943]

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