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  • Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.
Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.

Moderators: GirlOnTheTrain, mtuandrew, Tadman

 #1559588  by Pensyfan19
 
buddydog wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:33 pm article in the brattleboro reformer 12/18/2020:

https://www.reformer.com/local-news/amt ... afd4e.html
A bit of a downgrade from the existing station house. Why can't they utilize the existing station and add high levels there? (Or better yet, have high levels on both sides of the tracks for future increased service [Central Corridor Rail Line or AllEarth Rail])
 #1559595  by Backshophoss
 
Current station not useable,no room for Crew Base,and needs too much reno for ADA access, also a (possible) historical building
 #1560748  by NHV 669
 
Pensyfan19 wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:51 pm (Or better yet, have high levels on both sides of the tracks for future increased service [Central Corridor Rail Line or AllEarth Rail])
A) you have zero room to put a platform on the existing side, and the station being replaced would negate any need for a platform there in the first place.
B) you're implying that a state that already has a major tax burden should build in complete excess for a theoretical pair of services via single Budd cars that have yet to move beyond the intial planning stage, let alone have agreements to operate on NECR track or carry a single passenger? AllEarth hasn't even managed to start their initial service out of Montpelier to Burlington, and CCRL is nothing more than a vision on paper at this point. This idea is a non-starter.
 #1560755  by Pensyfan19
 
NHV 669 wrote: Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:38 am
Pensyfan19 wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:51 pm (Or better yet, have high levels on both sides of the tracks for future increased service [Central Corridor Rail Line or AllEarth Rail])
A) you have zero room to put a platform on the existing side, and the station being replaced would negate any need for a platform there in the first place.
B) you're implying that a state that already has a major tax burden should build in complete excess for a theoretical pair of services via single Budd cars that have yet to move beyond the intial planning stage, let alone have agreements to operate on NECR track or carry a single passenger? AllEarth hasn't even managed to start their initial service out of Montpelier to Burlington, and CCRL is nothing more than a vision on paper at this point. This idea is a non-starter.
The key word in my sentence was future. This means that there is a proposal for service which would utilize that station, but with COVID and the points you made, we're not sure exactly that future is, but these projects still exist and have a chance of running.
 #1560766  by NHV 669
 
Again, that doesn't change the fact that the present site cannot accommodate a second full length platform across from the new site, nor does it need one to serve a couple measly Budd cars.

The AllEarth service proposal doesn't even include Brattleboro, so I'm not sure why it was ever mentioned to begin with. There's little chance the current project will go anywhere, covid aside, given you can get to all points faster by car anyway over there. It's a solid attempt to milk money from already strained taxpayers.

Again, CCRL is a vision on paper, with no existing funding, equipment, or track-use agreements to support the idea of building infrastructure for a service that Does. Not. Exist.

The future is quite clear on this idea, there isn't one.
 #1560772  by electricron
 
Whether or not local commuter rail operations ever come into fruition or not, you will still have a limit upon the number of passenger trains that can operate on non Positive Control tracks. That limit is 12 trains per day, or if you prefer 6 round trips per day. The existing Amtrak service uses up 1 of those 6 round trips, with a potential second Amtrak service another, leaving just 4 round trips per day. That would be two round trips during the morning rush and two round trips during the evening rush, or one round trip every morning, noon, afternoon, and evening.
One high wheelchair friendly platform should be more than enough for that much business.
 #1560822  by Ridgefielder
 
NHV 669 wrote: Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:38 am
Pensyfan19 wrote: Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:51 pm (Or better yet, have high levels on both sides of the tracks for future increased service [Central Corridor Rail Line or AllEarth Rail])
A) you have zero room to put a platform on the existing side, and the station being replaced would negate any need for a platform there in the first place.
B) you're implying that a state that already has a major tax burden should build in complete excess for a theoretical pair of services via single Budd cars that have yet to move beyond the intial planning stage, let alone have agreements to operate on NECR track or carry a single passenger? AllEarth hasn't even managed to start their initial service out of Montpelier to Burlington, and CCRL is nothing more than a vision on paper at this point. This idea is a non-starter.
I doubt there have been two trains stopped at Brattleboro at the same time since the line up to Londonderry called it quits in ~1935.
 #1561369  by BandA
 
https://www.reformer.com/local-news/amt ... afd4e.htmlBRATTLEBORO — The Development Review Board gave Amtrak its blessing for a new station and other improvements related to improving accessibility.

Ellen Pannell, third party coordinator for Amtrak’s ADA Stations Program, told the board the goal of the nationwide program is to “provide the best service possible to our passengers with mobility needs.” She said the station must meet specific standards outlined by the company and the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as guidelines from the state related to historic preservation.
Is the primary purpose of the new station to make it ADA compatible? This $4.5M project has 16 parking spaces, of which TWO are handicapped accessible. I forget, how many daily passengers are expected? How many HP passengers?

Someone mentioned crew facilities; What crew facilities does the existing station / new station provide?
 #1561421  by shadyjay
 
Brattleboro is a crew change point for engineers. Train crews run St Albans to Springfield so they don't change there.
 #1636847  by Jeff Smith
 
Station getting high-platforms: RailwayAge
Construction on a new Amtrak train station in Brattleboro, Vt., which will include the first elevated passenger platform in the state, is set to begin in March, said Amtrak Lead Public Relations Specialist Jen Flanagan, according to a report by The Commons.
...
The Selectboard, on behalf of the town, voted unanimously to allow Amtrak to use a portion of the Depot Street parking lot to build the new station and platform.
...
According to The Commons report, the new station on the east side of the tracks will include a 36-seat waiting area, a restroom, an engineers’ room and a covered outdoor area with bench seating.

The project includes rebuilding existing siding track and switches and a new, 345-foot-long platform set 48 inches above the rail, a feature that will allow level boarding, according to the report.

The new facility will also include an electric snow-melting system and new lighting, signage and drainage.
...