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Can someone change my user name? I'd like to change it to ohle. Thanks.

I made it to the wye recently. Here are some pics of the train turning before No. 91 makes its long backup into Tampa Union Station. The lighting wasn't great on this first image, of No. 81 heading NB before backing west, but you have to get the train when it rolls in. http://www.railroadforums.com/...

Amtrak trains use CSX's former ACL mainline to the Amtrak terminal. Amtrak locomotive and equipment turning are done on tracks to the east of the terminal. The former ACL mainline is the northern of the two E - W lines into/out of the Tampa area. Where is this turning done? Is it at that wye that c...

That was a good explanation. Thankfully someone finally answered. It's hard to find good railfan info on line.

Are there any good Florida or Southeastern rail discussion groups such as RAILSPOT (southwest) and MIDRAIL (midwest)?

Has anyone railfanned this area east of town? http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tallahassee&ll=30.445566,-84.195099&spn=0.030157,0.050636&hl=en According to this map, the CSX rail line runs alongside the lake. Looks like it might be a scenic area. What's it like to shoot trains there? I'm pl...

How easy is it to get good shots of Amtrak arriving and departing Tampa? How is access to this bridge that the train crosses. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lakeland,+fl&ll=27.962642,-82.366991&spn=0.061793,0.101272&hl=en Where does the train back up? How does it enter and leave the city?...

In the interest of fairness, Mr. Mineta has not made any public statements about this subcommittee action. His staff has only said the matter is being studied. A member of the subcommittee said he threatened a to recommend a veto, but that is what is called "heresay". I, for one, would li...

The SW Chief doesn't stop at DeSoto, Kan., anymore. That business has ended, the agent from Newton told me recently. The train is fueled and serviced in Argentine yard, west of Union Station on the Kansas side.
The extra time is likely padding. Check Amtrak's web site for train arrivals that way.

You have to pity someone like Mineta who's so blinded with ideology he overlooks the success of one of Amtrak's best-performing LD trains. -- http://www.narprail.org/nr05_09.pdf Exerpt: Asked to back up his previous comment that Amtrak runs routes that "nobody" wants to ride, he said, &quo...

NARP has erected a Web page showing the falsehoods of the DOT and Sec. Mineta's plans to bankrupt Amtrak. http://www.narprail.org/mythsdot.htm NARP has good information on the zero funding issue here. http://www.narprail.org/amtrakzerofy06.htm Here's an example: Mineta (New York Times op-ed, Feb. 23...

Otto, I wouldn't be too critical of the NARP display you saw. The display was likely run by a couple of rail advocate volunteers, NARP members, representing the group and trying to get more railfans interested in supporting passenger rail (and joining NARP). I manned a NARP booth at a model RR show ...

Wow, and I thought I'd racked up a lot of mileage, Nellie. I've traveled every extant LD troute west of Chicago in both directions (except Empire Builder WB CHI-SPK and the Sunset route east of SAS) and have been on some routes that the DOT ordered gutted. Last time I checked I had 27,000 miles unde...

During this time of crisis for passenger rail, in case you didn't know, there are two email discussion groups that focus on passenger rail I thought you might want to know about. Passenger Rail News: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Passenger_Rail_News/ State Rail Passenger group officers list....

Looks like the Bush lackeys in control of Amtrak's board are doing what their irrational masters want.... working to force Amtrak into bankruptcy. Here is a report from the Friends of Amtrak list. The message is not available online to non-list members. And it isn't on the group's homepage yet. http...

Info from US DOT - which seems bent on forcing Amtrak into bankruptcy - on Minetta's "let's bankrupt Amtrak (NARP's words)" tour... FROM NARP... Mineta Amtrak Bankruptcy Roadshow, Stop Two (Irony: Benches in Charlotte are from Chicago Union Station, Stop One!!) -- U.S. Department of Transp...