Strange stories we've been hearing today...
PHILADELPHIA - Amtrak is investigating the re-use of GG-1's on certain Acela Regional trains throughout the Northeast Corridor as part of a new branding campaign to build interest in train travel through the use of nostalgic images. "What better to build brand recognition than with the most recognizable Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive?" said one spokesman. However, much to the dismay of railfans, the resurrected G-motors will emerge from the shops at Bear, Delaware in a rendition of the platinum-mist-and-blue "no image" Acela image.
LOS ANGELES - "Put it ALL BACK," was the stern order from a federal court judge today charged with re-examining the long-closed Pacific Electric case of the 1960s. It was alleged then that Firestone, General Motors, and Sinclair Oil conspired together to buy out local trolley operators and replace rail transit with busses. It was decided in 1962 that the Pacific Electric Railway of Los Angeles, long-credited for developing Southern California during the first half of the twentieth century, was prematurely abandoned and removed. However, at the time of the decision, most of the former PE had been dismantled and replaced with bus operations. Now that mass transit has passed from the private to the public sector, government investments are available that could make restoration a reality. So was the order from the federal judge that directed the former PE system be restored in its entirety "as much as is physically possible" using the latest in light rail rapid transit technology.
NEW YORK - For the first time since its opening in 1913, a train did not terminate at New York's Grand Central Terminal. Today marked the opening of the Empire Crosstown Tunnel, connecting Grand Central Terminal (located on 42nd Street) with Penn Station (located on 34th Street). The historic first public trip was made by engineer E.M. Frimbo, who piloted a Metro-North train from Track 42, southward into the new tunnel connection at 7:01 AM. The train took six minutes to snake through the new connector, breaking a banner arriving at Penn Station. "Ever since the MTA took over full operation of commuter services on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road lines, this type of conenctivity has been a dream," an MTA spokesman explained, "linking together Grand Central with Penn Station opens up all sorts of opportunities."
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced a series of service improvments and service extensions to benefit Boston's rapid transit system for years to come. "First we'll be turning our attention to the commuter rail situation," explained a top MBTA official, "this permitting process is really slowing us down." Rather than hold up important infrastructure projects with frivolous resident opposition, the transit authority will exercise its right to Eminent Domain. "Railroads have been around a lot longer than some of these vocal minorities, and we think that the benefits to the region will far outweigh the temporary protests of a misinformed few." The MBTA is looking forward to a complete restoration of the former "Old Colony" commuter lines that were severed from Boston shortly after construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike in the 1950s. Also moving forward will be the long-debated Greenbush Line extension. "We expect to have trains rolling this summer whether they (the towns) like it or not." Moving over to the light rail division, the MBTA is looking forward to a complete restoration of the A - Watertown branch of the Green Line, which was "temporarily suspended" in 1969. "That was a mistake that we are looking to correct as soon as possible," the official explained, "We have our engineers out there right now inspecting the tracks and catenary to see how soon we can resume service."
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - Florida East Coast announced today it was sending its best structural engineers out to sea. "We want to build on the foresight of our founder, Henry Flagler, and expand our service to new markets," read the press release from FEC. "Almost 100 years ago, FEC service extended out into the ocean to Key West." FEC announced that they intend to build a new series of bridges and floats to tap the markets of Havana, Cuba. "With the collapse of Communism and totalitarian governments worldwide, it's only a matter of time before Cuba rejoins the Western marketplace- and FEC wants to be in a position to serve them!" The tiny regional railroad primarily serves the markets along Florida's east coast, connecting with CSX at Jacksonville. The Coast Guard has voiced their concerns with FEC's new Overseas Railway venture, citing navigational hazards. The State Department had also voiced their concerns about FEC's possible violation of the 1959 trade embargo, to which FEC officials responded "We fully intend to respect the trade embargo... we don't forsee regular service to begin for another five to six years at the earliest. Hopefully by that time, the Castro regime will have ended, and free trade can begin." Officials of the Cuban government had no comment.
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY from the jokers at RAILROAD.NET!
PHILADELPHIA - Amtrak is investigating the re-use of GG-1's on certain Acela Regional trains throughout the Northeast Corridor as part of a new branding campaign to build interest in train travel through the use of nostalgic images. "What better to build brand recognition than with the most recognizable Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive?" said one spokesman. However, much to the dismay of railfans, the resurrected G-motors will emerge from the shops at Bear, Delaware in a rendition of the platinum-mist-and-blue "no image" Acela image.
LOS ANGELES - "Put it ALL BACK," was the stern order from a federal court judge today charged with re-examining the long-closed Pacific Electric case of the 1960s. It was alleged then that Firestone, General Motors, and Sinclair Oil conspired together to buy out local trolley operators and replace rail transit with busses. It was decided in 1962 that the Pacific Electric Railway of Los Angeles, long-credited for developing Southern California during the first half of the twentieth century, was prematurely abandoned and removed. However, at the time of the decision, most of the former PE had been dismantled and replaced with bus operations. Now that mass transit has passed from the private to the public sector, government investments are available that could make restoration a reality. So was the order from the federal judge that directed the former PE system be restored in its entirety "as much as is physically possible" using the latest in light rail rapid transit technology.
NEW YORK - For the first time since its opening in 1913, a train did not terminate at New York's Grand Central Terminal. Today marked the opening of the Empire Crosstown Tunnel, connecting Grand Central Terminal (located on 42nd Street) with Penn Station (located on 34th Street). The historic first public trip was made by engineer E.M. Frimbo, who piloted a Metro-North train from Track 42, southward into the new tunnel connection at 7:01 AM. The train took six minutes to snake through the new connector, breaking a banner arriving at Penn Station. "Ever since the MTA took over full operation of commuter services on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road lines, this type of conenctivity has been a dream," an MTA spokesman explained, "linking together Grand Central with Penn Station opens up all sorts of opportunities."
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced a series of service improvments and service extensions to benefit Boston's rapid transit system for years to come. "First we'll be turning our attention to the commuter rail situation," explained a top MBTA official, "this permitting process is really slowing us down." Rather than hold up important infrastructure projects with frivolous resident opposition, the transit authority will exercise its right to Eminent Domain. "Railroads have been around a lot longer than some of these vocal minorities, and we think that the benefits to the region will far outweigh the temporary protests of a misinformed few." The MBTA is looking forward to a complete restoration of the former "Old Colony" commuter lines that were severed from Boston shortly after construction of the Massachusetts Turnpike in the 1950s. Also moving forward will be the long-debated Greenbush Line extension. "We expect to have trains rolling this summer whether they (the towns) like it or not." Moving over to the light rail division, the MBTA is looking forward to a complete restoration of the A - Watertown branch of the Green Line, which was "temporarily suspended" in 1969. "That was a mistake that we are looking to correct as soon as possible," the official explained, "We have our engineers out there right now inspecting the tracks and catenary to see how soon we can resume service."
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - Florida East Coast announced today it was sending its best structural engineers out to sea. "We want to build on the foresight of our founder, Henry Flagler, and expand our service to new markets," read the press release from FEC. "Almost 100 years ago, FEC service extended out into the ocean to Key West." FEC announced that they intend to build a new series of bridges and floats to tap the markets of Havana, Cuba. "With the collapse of Communism and totalitarian governments worldwide, it's only a matter of time before Cuba rejoins the Western marketplace- and FEC wants to be in a position to serve them!" The tiny regional railroad primarily serves the markets along Florida's east coast, connecting with CSX at Jacksonville. The Coast Guard has voiced their concerns with FEC's new Overseas Railway venture, citing navigational hazards. The State Department had also voiced their concerns about FEC's possible violation of the 1959 trade embargo, to which FEC officials responded "We fully intend to respect the trade embargo... we don't forsee regular service to begin for another five to six years at the earliest. Hopefully by that time, the Castro regime will have ended, and free trade can begin." Officials of the Cuban government had no comment.
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY from the jokers at RAILROAD.NET!
----------------------------------------------
Moderator: New York State Railfan :: New York Central :: Toy Trains
NYW&B Fan Site :: A Magazine I Read Often :: A Museum I Volunteer At
Moderator: New York State Railfan :: New York Central :: Toy Trains
NYW&B Fan Site :: A Magazine I Read Often :: A Museum I Volunteer At
