Railroad Forums
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Jehochman wrote:Why not just extend one or more shuttles north to Greenfield, Brattleboro or WRJ? Stick a cafe on there if there's one lying around. Once NHHS comes online, all of the shuttles could be repurposed this way. Crossing the platform in New Haven for the connection is no big deal, and this plan doesn't require any slots on the shoreline.Operationally, that's what CT-MA "commuter" service will look like, but the operator is unlikely to be "Amtrak NHHS Shuttle" due to costs.
Arlington wrote:Turning trains at the ends of lines isn't a problem if everything goes right--but ends up being a big deal in all the cases where things go wrong, like engine failure, closed tracks, the occasional trespasser strike, and crews "timing out", and freight trains (or other non-fouled passenger trains) needing to get past. And so if you're instituting service, you've got to physically provide for those "bad days" with a pocket track and a crew base.One thing, though (and I know I'm sort of arguing the other side of my earlier point, but...)-- there's a lot more room already at WRJ than there is at Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg. Both NECR and WACR have multiple tracks through the station itself, and you can wye a train on what's left of the Northern without fouling the NECR main. Take a look: https://goo.gl/maps/r1r8y
Ridgefielder wrote:And I accept that other side, too. WRJ has lots going for it and a proven record for switching etc. And find compelling that Amtrak today may chose to "turn trains back" at WRJ in the event of foul weather. But since I can't find it in any plans, it seems like the planful thing for Amtrak and Vermont to do together is to go all the way to "Burlington"Arlington wrote:Turning trains at the ends of lines isn't a problem if everything goes right--but ends up being a big deal in all the cases where things go wrong, like engine failure, closed tracks, the occasional trespasser strike, and crews "timing out", and freight trains (or other non-fouled passenger trains) needing to get past. And so if you're instituting service, you've got to physically provide for those "bad days" with a pocket track and a crew base.One thing, though (and I know I'm sort of arguing the other side of my earlier point, but...)-- there's a lot more room already at WRJ than there is at Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg. Both NECR and WACR have multiple tracks through the station itself, and you can wye a train on what's left of the Northern without fouling the NECR main. Take a look: https://goo.gl/maps/r1r8y
Jehochman wrote:Why not just extend one or more shuttles north to Greenfield, Brattleboro or WRJ? Stick a cafe on there if there's one lying around. Once NHHS comes online, all of the shuttles could be repurposed this way. Crossing the platform in New Haven for the connection is no big deal, and this plan doesn't require any slots on the shoreline.Cart service?
We are pleased to announce an upcoming public meeting on the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a study to improve rail service on two existing rail corridors, linked in Springfield, MA – the Boston-Montreal corridor and the Inland Route (the rail line connecting Boston-Springfield-New Haven).Does anyone know what three options the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative study group has identified?
The study has identified three options for more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail. The proposed alternatives build upon existing plans and projects to upgrade rail in these projects, focusing on incremental improvements to rail facilities.
We encourage you to attend to learn more about the alternatives under study. Also, we are asking your help in distributing this flyer to people and organizations that have an interest in rail.
Thank you and we hope to see you on Nov 19th. If you have questions, please call or email me.
For more information visit: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/northernnewenglandrail
Flyer_NNEIRI_MA.pdf
http://pl.pbcommentsense.com/pbcs/files ... IRI_MA.pdf
BenH wrote:I received the following notice in my inbox this morning:I think they are the options discussed in page 20-22 of this document. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/ ... _Final.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We are pleased to announce an upcoming public meeting on the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a study to improve rail service on two existing rail corridors, linked in Springfield, MA – the Boston-Montreal corridor and the Inland Route (the rail line connecting Boston-Springfield-New Haven).Does anyone know what three options the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative study group has identified?
The study has identified three options for more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail. The proposed alternatives build upon existing plans and projects to upgrade rail in these projects, focusing on incremental improvements to rail facilities.
We encourage you to attend to learn more about the alternatives under study. Also, we are asking your help in distributing this flyer to people and organizations that have an interest in rail.
Thank you and we hope to see you on Nov 19th. If you have questions, please call or email me.
For more information visit: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/northernnewenglandrail
Flyer_NNEIRI_MA.pdf
http://pl.pbcommentsense.com/pbcs/files ... IRI_MA.pdf
Note that there will also be a public meeting in White River Junction on November 17th.
zerovanity59 wrote:Thanks! These would appear to be the preliminary alternatives (options) which in all likelihood have now become the finalized alternatives.BenH wrote: Does anyone know what three options the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative study group has identified?I think they are the options discussed in page 20-22 of this document. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/ ... _Final.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Option 1: Turn the Vermonter into a Montrealer, add 2 local trains Boston to Montreal, extend 4 Shuttles to Boston, and perform little if any track improvements.
Option 2: In addition to option 1: Add an additional express train from New Haven to Montreal, add an express train from Boston to Monteal, extend 4 express Shuttles to Boston, and upgrade most of the track to 79 MPH.
Option 3: In addition to option 2: Add 5 Boston Springfield local trains, and upgrade a few small sections of track to 90 MPH.
zerovanity59 wrote:BenH wrote:I received the following notice in my inbox this morning:I think they are the options discussed in page 20-22 of this document. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/ ... _Final.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We are pleased to announce an upcoming public meeting on the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative, a study to improve rail service on two existing rail corridors, linked in Springfield, MA – the Boston-Montreal corridor and the Inland Route (the rail line connecting Boston-Springfield-New Haven).Does anyone know what three options the Northern New England Intercity Rail Initiative study group has identified?
The study has identified three options for more frequent and higher speed intercity passenger rail. The proposed alternatives build upon existing plans and projects to upgrade rail in these projects, focusing on incremental improvements to rail facilities.
We encourage you to attend to learn more about the alternatives under study. Also, we are asking your help in distributing this flyer to people and organizations that have an interest in rail.
Thank you and we hope to see you on Nov 19th. If you have questions, please call or email me.
For more information visit: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/northernnewenglandrail
I'm having some trouble with terminology here. What's the difference between a "local" and an "express" train between Boston and Montreal?
Flyer_NNEIRI_MA.pdf
http://pl.pbcommentsense.com/pbcs/files ... IRI_MA.pdf
Note that there will also be a public meeting in White River Junction on November 17th.
Option 1: Turn the Vermonter into a Montrealer, add 2 local trains Boston to Montreal, extend 4 Shuttles to Boston, and perform little if any track improvements.
Option 2: In addition to option 1: Add an additional express train from New Haven to Montreal, add an express train from Boston to Monteal, extend 4 express Shuttles to Boston, and upgrade most of the track to 79 MPH.
Option 3: In addition to option 2: Add 5 Boston Springfield local trains, and upgrade a few small sections of track to 90 MPH.
theozno wrote: Amtrak's loosing ridership from the college kids if they don't get something showing up in their system soon of a bus connection etc to Northampton.The Pioneer Valley RTA runs frequent bus service between Amherst and Northampton, and if the UMass kids can't figure that out I wonder what they're doing in college. But I do agree that the PVRTA bus connection should be listed in Amtrak's timetable along with all the other transit links it mentions.
TomNelligan wrote:Not the MBTA. MBTA is never touching its dispersal equipment again. MassDOT has to pick over the wreckage stored at Seaview and outright buy it from the MBTA, because the T intends to store them for 1 year then bid it all out to scrap. They've got rotted floors and an assortment of other old-age aches and pains that make them not cost-effective to rehab. And the T told the MassDOT mothership so...but MassDOT doesn't have a native rail division so practicalities like that just don't play into what whims the politicians pursue. It would honestly be cheaper for them to pick up some best-of-the-rest spare Comets or MARC IIA's from outside the state...or fund the T for another order of bi-levels and start taking their much better-condition Bombardier singles...than try to repair the MBB's. So caveat that what they say they'll do with those is not necessarily what the final repair bill is going to allow them to do. It's not clear from what the T employees say about this equipment on the MBTA forum that the Governor's lackeys at the top of MassDOT have thought this through all that carefully or will be able to deliver on what they're promising via in-house scraps.theozno wrote: Amtrak's loosing ridership from the college kids if they don't get something showing up in their system soon of a bus connection etc to Northampton.The Pioneer Valley RTA runs frequent bus service between Amherst and Northampton, and if the UMass kids can't figure that out I wonder what they're doing in college. But I do agree that the PVRTA bus connection should be listed in Amtrak's timetable along with all the other transit links it mentions.
With respect to state-sponsored service between Springfield and Greenfield, the MBTA has set aside about a dozen retired MBB-built commuter coaches for potential use on that route. They're currently stored in Davisville, RI.
TomNelligan wrote:Amtrak is yet to post Northampton as a stop on is webpage. Amherst is still showing as sold out. I will probably end up taking the Vermonter weekly to CT and from VT working my winter job unless gas keeps dropping! It is frustrating not knowing what the new schedule is going to be. a 12 noon departure is 90 min of skiing before I catch the train in Bellows Falls (a personal problem to have i know lol)theozno wrote: Amtrak's loosing ridership from the college kids if they don't get something showing up in their system soon of a bus connection etc to Northampton.The Pioneer Valley RTA runs frequent bus service between Amherst and Northampton, and if the UMass kids can't figure that out I wonder what they're doing in college. But I do agree that the PVRTA bus connection should be listed in Amtrak's timetable along with all the other transit links it mentions.
With respect to state-sponsored service between Springfield and Greenfield, the MBTA has set aside about a dozen retired MBB-built commuter coaches for potential use on that route. They're currently stored in Davisville, RI.
runningwithscalpels wrote:Is work even actually finished on the new route? Perhaps they've accomplished enough to figure out that they can move the routing on X date but have not run any test trips to figure out how to tinker with the schedule. It will eventually get posted, relax.A lot of college students buy tickets months in advance to get good prices. Now is the time they are starting to look at pricing for returning for Spring 2015 term. Amtrak not having a plan to offer service has to be hurting revenue.
