by Jeff Smith
After cutting projected costs and service levels, some progress: Duluth News Tribune
Northern Lights Express passenger train back on track?
The primary reason: a reduced price tag, from an estimated $1 billion in 2009 to between $500 million to $600 million today, according to Frank Loetterie, project manager in the passenger rail office for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which is now the project's lead agency.
In an interview, Loetterie said the savings can be achieved by two alterations to the original plan: reducing the top speed from 110 mph to 90 mph and cutting the number of daily round trips from eight to four.
"When we're operating at 110 mph we need our own track; we can't share it with a freight train," Loetterie said. "The original plan included the construction of a parallel track over 50 miles between Isanti and Hinckley."
The 90 mph top speed would produce an average, with stops factored in, of 60 mph and roughly match driving time, he said.
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Next stop, Willoughby
~el Jefe :: RAILROAD.NET Site Administrator/Co-Owner; Carman at Naugatuck Railroad
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~el Jefe :: RAILROAD.NET Site Administrator/Co-Owner; Carman at Naugatuck Railroad
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