by east point
read that Senate passed Amtrak house potion 94-3 as well as the OTP amendment.
Railroad Forums
Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman
...
“Amtrak this year informed the partners that it is withholding its matching funds for the recent Tiger and CRISI grants until a comprehensive funding plan and firm financial commitments are received for an estimated $50 million in costs for track and signal improvements in New Mexico,” the report continued.
“But the state and local partners cannot meet this requirement. The partners have maintained that the highly successful federal grant process is a suitable plan. The delay is leading to scheduling problems for the trackwork anticipated in Tiger 9. It has also prevented the coalition from applying for a grant from the BUILD program (the new equivalent of TIGER) in 2018. Amtrak’s match for the Tiger 9 grant is $3 million.
“The U.S. Congress has not been happy about Amtrak’s position on the Tiger 9 grant match or the bus substitution plan. On May 31, 2018, the six U.S. senators from the three states, plus many of the relevant U.S. representatives, sent a letter to Amtrak strongly objecting to the move.
“Then, in August, the Senate passed an amendment to a House funding measure directing Amtrak to use $50 million of its current, record size appropriation for the maintenance and safety improvements it claims are needed in New Mexico. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Amtrak told Congress at an October Senate hearing that it plans to maintain rail service as-is through fiscal year 2019. However, the matching funds are still being withheld while the partners negotiate.”
jhdeasy wrote:Amtrak is operating a CHI to KCY coach on train 3, which turns as a KCY to CHI coach on train 4. The coach operates rearmost, so any private cars passing thru KCY in either direction must operate on the headend, behind the power and in front of the baggage car. Amtrak is unwilling to double switch the train at KCY for fear of incurring a delay and thus incurring the wrath of RA.Mr Deasy,
mtuandrew wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:58 pm If they’re extending a section to Colorado Springs, why not Denver? (I’m aware of the needed backing move at Denver Union Station; pain in the rear, but what can you do?) If you’re already negotiating with both BNSF and UP, you may as well negotiate for another hundred miles of rights.I agree with extending to Denver because it would open up KCY to DEN trips, and open up connections in Denver. The backing up into DUS is no issue because the CZ already does that.
Anthony wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:04 pmI agree with extending to Denver because it would open up KCY to DEN trips, and open up connections in Denver. The backing up into DUS is no issue because the CZ already does that.It also gives another CHI-DEN frequency, which should be an easy Western market for Amtrak to embrace. The California Zephyr is comparable in distance and time to the Capitol Limited WAS-CHI, while this train (the Colorado Chief?) would be a little longer but still fairly fast.