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$50M or so for a railroad bridge to an island with a 60,000 population is a big ask, plus 5 miles of track in rough shape, plus track that was "temporarily removed". Connecting to South Coast Rail which in itself has indirect routing to Boston. I think maritime law needs to be revised to i...

Why would they not rebuild the Kawasakis? I rode on some recently and they still look good and ride good, although they have not kept up with the wifi and power outlet race!

The phase II route does exist, it has just OOS?? or landbanked?? since the 1970s. Runs from Stoughton through North Easton to Taunton. The consent decree between the state of Massachusetts and the Army Corp of Engineers, which is ridiculous, makes the former main line uneconomical to restore.

Its not so bad that they are clearcutting the forest for expanded rail yard, but they will be spraying roundup or other defoliants next to the river for years to come. Imagine the economics of a rail yard in northern maine vs say beacon park or even west springfield.

The B&A completed their grade separation, station replacement construction, purchase of the Highland Branch & connection with their main line, purchase of the Grand Junction, balked on requirement to grade separate the Grand Junction. They did in fact electrify their short Lower Falls Branch...

ARTICLE: "Goodbye diesel, hello electric. Battery-powered, improved service could be coming to MBTA’s commuter rail in 2027." Link: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/24/metro/battery-powered-improved-service-could-be-coming-to-ts-commuter-rail-in-2027/[ At least we know that Keolis want...

I guess it makes sense to keep it under control of a communist-socialist government agency.

Why would the MBTA want the Springfield factory? It's just going to close after the orders are completed. Would it be a convenient location for a layover yard for Springfield Commuter Trains? Is it even connected by rail?

I believe there was also Newton Loop service, one way on the Highland Branch, the other way on the B&A Main Line (now called the Framingham/Worcester Line)

Contract Duration The term of the contract is from contract execution until June 30, 2026. The contracted vendor will initiate the project and ensure that it can be transitioned to another vendor at any date following June 30, 2026, with such transition to be conducted at the MBTA’s discretion Does...

So Brightline is getting $20M subsidy for a Cocoa station and $45M for a Stuart station? Wow.

I hope the Cocoa station isn't a plain vanilla design

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/03/01/keolis-commuter-rail-union-agreement Flaherty told the board, describing his colleagues as paid 12% less than Amtrak workers, 16% less than workers at Metro North, and 11% less than workers at New Jersey Transit. The article also implies that Commuter Rail worke...

So there is both fiber and railroad signal systems in the ballast. I bet it gets crowded down there eventually.

Why would they sell the cement plant and create a new or help an existing competitor?

Why would you need an ALC-42E on the downeaster route when any old (passenger) diesel locomotive will do?