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.
I am reading stories that indicate Amtrak won't start spending on most things until 2023.
"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
My goodness, they only signed the thing, what, three weeks ago? Give them a moment.
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.
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?
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