Maybe I am being impatient but I am curious has anyone seen any movement on ANY Amtrak future plans since the infrastruture bill was passed. Beyond the Amtrak teaser press releases of what they plan to do several years out. I have not seen any movement on past initiatives that should have been ready to move ahead with proper capital funding. For example the extension of the Heartland Flyer to connect with the Southwest Chief.......nothing new announced. They did an inspection train, several studies, they should have been close to execution on it. I am sure there are a few other projects like that across the country. Something should be moving forwards at this point? Shouldn't it?
I would guess any studies they did previously would have been preliminary. Now with a funding source identified, they might do a formal study needed to establish service. I believe they need some level of an environmental assesment with a review by FRA.
My goodness, they only signed the thing, what, three weeks ago? Give them a moment.
"Billions in Bill Earmarked for Amtrak"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/us/politics/amtrak-expansion-funding-infrastructure-bill.html?searchResultPosition=2
Also of interest concerning staffing on trains because of Covid:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/us/politics/amtrak-vaccine-mandate.html?searchResultPosition=1
I am reading stories that indicate Amtrak won't start spending on most things until 2023.
OvermodI am reading stories that indicate Amtrak won't start spending on most things until 2023.
You know from all the PR they have been doing locally on the Heartland Flyer extension.................I would have thought that was shovel ready. They ran a test train, they did a set of theoretical schedules, estimates, etc. They have the tacit approval of Kansas and Oklahoma, nothing yet from Texas but Texas would not be hard to convince since majority of increased costs would be Kansas and Oklahoma.
Also, think they should layover in Dallas vs Fort Worth using the TRE route and have Dallas as the origination point. Only reason they aren't is the Commissary is in Fort Worth and the storage tracks in Fort Worth are maybe a thousand feet down the track from the Intermodal Depot. The storage tracks in Dallas would be a little further unless they could convince TRE to share one of their Dallas Union station tracks. So having the terminus be Dallas would be more costly but offset by potentially the convience and increased ridership......I wonder.
Amtrak planning to serve Burlington by this July? Hopefully all the small punch list items will get finished in time.
All aboard! Amtrak is Burlington-bound this July, officials say - VTDigger
blue streak 1 Amtrak planning to serve Burlington by this July? Hopefully all the small punch list items will get finished in time. All aboard! Amtrak is Burlington-bound this July, officials say - VTDigger
CMStPnP blue streak 1 Amtrak planning to serve Burlington by this July? Hopefully all the small punch list items will get finished in time. All aboard! Amtrak is Burlington-bound this July, officials say - VTDigger I think they are trying to eventually extend that train to Montreal if I am not mistaken. I believe parts of the route were the former Montrealer train Amtrak used to run and something went South with the track usage or track maintenence.
The extension to Burlington is an extension of the Ethan Allen which runs on Vermont Rail System (ex-Rutland). The ATK train that ends in St. Albans, Vermont, and used to run thru to Montreal, runs on the ex-Vermont Central. That train stops at Essex Junction about 10 miles from Burlington. There is a connecting branch between Essex JC and Burlington.
Also, I wonder how the Burlington train will opperate thru Rutland, which is about 2 miles off the new thru route.
That poor pedestrian, he keeps getting by a train every three hours. Can't be much left of him.
Amtrak may need to provide much service to smaller cities. The ensuing pilot shortage is going to cause loss of all airline service. The next 10 years is going to have a lot of pilots into forced retirements at age 65.
Air Transport World - April 2022 - page 24 (atw-digital.com)
Air Transport World - April 2022 - page Cover (atw-digital.com)
I just googled today and read an article in a competing publication that Amtrak forecasts no real movement on improvements or new trains until late 2023. So we have more than a year of waiting and hopefully the $20 billion to Amtrak is not repurposed or clawed back by a new Congress.
Takes time to order and build new equipmeent. Not surprised by the time frame, just wish Antrak would use what is on-hand more efficiently.
daveklepperTakes time to order and build new equipmeent. Not surprised by the time frame, just wish Antrak would use what is on-hand more efficiently.
Or at least maintain a reserve fleet instead of being so hasty to scrap or sell it off. It's not like they are paying for track space charges at Beech Grove.
CMStPnP Or at least maintain a reserve fleet instead of being so hasty to scrap or sell it off. It's not like they are paying for track space charges at Beech Grove.
CMStPnP daveklepper Takes time to order and build new equipmeent. Not surprised by the time frame, just wish Antrak would use what is on-hand more efficiently. Or at least maintain a reserve fleet instead of being so hasty to scrap or sell it off. It's not like they are paying for track space charges at Beech Grove.
daveklepper Takes time to order and build new equipmeent. Not surprised by the time frame, just wish Antrak would use what is on-hand more efficiently.
To repair, rebuild damaged equipment you need skilled manpower with the necessary shop tools and equipment to do the job. Amtrak's starvation budgets of the past half century have caused the destruction of what Beech Grove once was for the Big4.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
More lack of skilled technicians. Tools? They still have Wilmington and possibly Juniata, as well as Beech Grove.
Also, did not Beech Grove eventually serve all the New York Central System and, subsequently, PC?
daveklepperMore lack of skilled technicians. Tools? They still have Wilmington and possibly Juniata, as well as Beech Grove. Also, did not Beech Grove eventually serve all the New York Central System and, susequently, PC?
Also, did not Beech Grove eventually serve all the New York Central System and, susequently, PC?
NYC & PC were both having financial issues. In the railroad industry, when you have financial issues the first things that pay the price is anything associated with maintenance - maintenance of track, maintenance of equipmet, maintenance of anything. Beech Grove is a product of financially failing organizations beyond its Big4 heritage.
Out-of-service rails in US and Canada
It was supposed to show a map, but apparently not allowed.
Finally, Page 70 and Page 93:
file:///C:/Users/19728/Downloads/Amtrak-General-Legislative-Annual-Report-FY2023-Grant-Request%20(1).pdf
Oh crap, well I guess you'll have to wait for Amtrak to upload it to it's website.
Try this
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/reports/Amtrak-General-Legislative-Annual-Report-FY2020-Grant-Request.pdf
Overmod I am reading stories that indicate Amtrak won't start spending on most things until 2023.
A competing publication to Trains (which I cannot link to) published Amtraks 2023 funding request to Congress, it is for $3.3 Billion. I believe a chunk is for another batch of replacement LD cars (I think they expect to match that with another grant from another program as it seems low to me or else it is the start of a multi-year request). Additionally, they have all their wish list of expansion trains including (a suprise to me), extension of Hiawatha to Madison, WI. (listed under potential expansion).
Electroliner 1935 Try this https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/reports/Amtrak-General-Legislative-Annual-Report-FY2020-Grant-Request.pdf
Right idea, wrong year though....needs to say FY2023.
It comes down to Amtrak management quit worrying about Amtrak management and concentrate on passengers riding the trains now and the potential passengers who cannot get on a train due lack of equipment and operating personnel.
CMStPnP Maybe I am being impatient but I am curious has anyone seen any movement on ANY Amtrak future plans since the infrastruture bill was passed. Beyond the Amtrak teaser press releases of what they plan to do several years out. I have not seen any movement on past initiatives that should have been ready to move ahead with proper capital funding. For example the extension of the Heartland Flyer to connect with the Southwest Chief.......nothing new announced. They did an inspection train, several studies, they should have been close to execution on it. I am sure there are a few other projects like that across the country. Something should be moving forwards at this point? Shouldn't it?
Maybe their plans don't include much money for the LD services?
CMStPnP I just googled today and read an article in a competing publication that Amtrak forecasts no real movement on improvements or new trains until late 2023. So we have more than a year of waiting and hopefully the $20 billion to Amtrak is not repurposed or clawed back by a new Congress.
charlie hebdo Maybe their plans don't include much money for the LD services?
I hold little hope for Amtrak. Forever a political football. Example... let's dig in to battle about three routes toward Montreal. While major US cities go without service. My interest is now dominated by Briteline.
I just returned for a trip on Amtrak CZ from Chi to Sacramento and train was packed, they had to rotate in lounge car so everybody got a chance to sit there, on the eastbound trip, they had 2 lounge cars so that helped. And the second River Runner has been restored in MO, which is good news for us. Hard to figure out what is going on with them, as somebody commented they got more money from Biden than they have in years. They are upgrading coaches and engines with the Chargers from Siemens, but they have some kinks to work out. Think outside the box , there is more than NEC, and Amtrak was set up to be a nationwide network. I have heard NEC means nothing else counts and sometimes it seems like it. I hope Amtrak can keep running as I want to keep riding trains.
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