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High Speed Rail is profitable but America doesn't want it to be, we'd rather spend the little cash we do have on building billions of dollars worth of military equipment.
Jesus Christ! Have you ever been outside of the USA? Every time I have been to Germany, I was very pleased with the Deustsche Bahn or DB, the national railway service. It is expensive but they are state of art trains, very fast and run almost 24 hours a day all over Germany, the DB buses put our Greyhound to shame.
DB has 284000 employees, last year, it reported an operating profit of 1.9 billion euros or $2.38 billion dollars
The problem here isnt so much the high speed rail itself but the public transit infrastructure at each end or at the stations, kinda pointless to pay to get from A-B and need taxi's or rentacars at both ends.
The high speed rail system may work in say the Washington/Boston Corridor but they already have the Metroliner that does 100+mph are enough people going to pay extra to go 200mph?
Or it may work in a NYC to Chicago type route but are enough people going to use it to pay for it.
Highspeed rail in America? A very expensive and unneeded giant boondoggle.
The problem here isnt so much the high speed rail itself but the public transit infrastructure at each end or at the stations, kinda pointless to pay to get from A-B and need taxi's or rentacars at both ends.
The high speed rail system may work in say the Washington/Boston Corridor but they already have the Metroliner that does 100+mph are enough people going to pay extra to go 200mph?
Or it may work in a NYC to Chicago type route but are enough people going to use it to pay for it.
Highspeed rail in America? A very expensive and unneeded giant boondoggle.
But most of the Northeastern stops have good connections or near where people live.. The Metroliner ended service in 2006 , although it ended its high speed journeys back in the 90s replaced by Amtrak Regional. As for HSR its mean't for distances of 200-500 miles at least speeds above 180mph , there are mini HSL's with speeds between 125-170mph are good for corridors of 100-300 miles... The Northeast has plans for 6 of them to tie into the New line. As for a Chicago - NY line its best that an Airline cover that.
The New Haven - Springfield - Brattleboro Corridor is being upgraded to handle speeds of 125mph and will be completely double tracked from New Haven to Vermont which is about 119.08 Miles. The line will stay Diesel for now , but room will be left to Electrify in the future. The Upgrade will also reroute the Vermonter onto a New Route adding 4 new stations and shaving 45-70mins... The line will be rebranded as the Knowledge Corridor and run 10-12 round trip trains between DC/NY to Brattleboro and Interior Vermont. Hartford Union Station could be moved when I-84 is rebuilt as a Tunnel or covered through Downtown Hartford. If this were to happen the station would get 2 Island Platform's and 4 Tracks which would service Boston - NY HSR Trains and Knowledge Corridor trains. Springfield Station would also be rebuilt , although there isn't enough funding to do the master plan yet. New Haven Union Station would receive a European style shield above the platform area. The Projected Ridership for the Commuter and Intercity Rail by 2030 is 64,700....I think that warrants Electrification...which is only expected to cost 150 Million more onto of the 270 Million cost of Upgrading this feeder line.
The Downeaster is being extended 2 stations in Maine , with Maine launching studies to extend it as far North as Bangor. This line will also be upgraded and more sidings added to allow speeds up to 125mph south of Old Orchard Beach via Electrified trains in Push-Pull set. There is no target date for the Speed Increasing projects although the first Extensions to Brunswick,ME should in the Fall of this year. The line will enhancements and Future Commuter Rail and Streetcar feeders in Portland and Massachusetts will see between 6,800 people a day by 2030.
Hudson Valley Empire Service , Will be upgraded to support Speeds of at least 110-125mph , from Schenectady to New York Penn Station. All of the 159 miles between Schenectady and NY will be double tracked and concrete tracks laid to handle the increased speeds. All Stations will receive High Level Platforms and a New Station hall , Schenectady , Hudson & Rhinecliff–Kingston will be upgraded by 2025. A Swing Bridge between Manhattan and The Bronx will have to be replaced to handle all extra trains. New Equipment is being looked into for the faster service whether that is DMUs or the line is Electrified and its push-pulls that haul passengers up and down the line. Projected Ridership with Enhancements and including Hudson line riders by 2030 will be 95,300.
Lackawanna line will run from NewYork Penn or Hoboken Terminal to Binghamton about 195 miles. With 14 stations , a key part of line which will reconnect it to PA is under Construction. Phase 1 will open by 2013 , Phase 2 into PA could be completed by 2019 depending on funding. Once in PA , 70 miles of second track will need to be restored and space made for future Electrification... The Commuter Rail portion will run from New York Penn or Hoboken to Analomink,PA. Amtrak would pick up the rest of the 7 stations which are further apart and in less populated areas to support commuter rail.... The Top speed of this line even with upgrades would be 90mph... The Cost of this line is expected to be between 500-800 Million $ , most of which is the cost of restoring 2 Long viaducts in NJ to handle trains once again. Projected Ridership of the Lackawanna Intercity and Commuter Rail services by 2030 is expected to be 35,600 with seasonal ups and downs. This line would connect the popular Pocono Ski Resorts and Gateway Parks of the NYC region.... Seeing how this line was dead a few years and all the sudden is under construction gives me hope for other lines.
Lehigh line would run from New York Penn or Hoboken Terminal to Harrisburg via Allentown and Reading,PA. This line would be 168 miles long , and have 11 stations. Of the 168 miles , 70 miles needs double tracking to allow Amtrak , Commuter rail and Freight to all move smoothly...and in some areas of NJ 4 tracking is needed. This line would be Diesel....and have a top speed of 110mph. The Commuter Rail portion of the route would be operated by NJT and is an Extension of Raritan Valley line from High Bridge,NJ to Allentown,PA. The Lehigh Service would connect over 9 Colleges and Universities , Service a population of 1.5 Million and link together numerous Tourist traps between Harrisburg and NY/Hoboken. Projected Ridership for the Intercity & Commuter Rail services is expected to be 54,900. In Reading the line would connect to the future Reading line for Service south to Norristown and Philly and in Harrisburg to numerous Commuter rail lines to Lancaster , York and Carlisle,PA.
Keystone Corridors runs between Philadelphia and Harrisburg , its 104 miles long with 20 stations. 8 stations will be replaced or upgraded to include high level platforms , heated and A/C waiting area and some stations will have cafes and other leased space. The Wires along the Keystone line will be replaced by 2020 with constant tension to allow speeds up 125mph. 3 Grade Crossings will be separated later this decade. From Lancaster to Harrisburg a new Commuter Rail service will share the tracks which plans call for 2 tracks to be restored in some areas to allow for Amtrak and Commuter Rail service to pass by without any issues. Another station will be added between the 26 mi gap between Parkersburg and Lancaster to service the Amish Country which is a huge Tourism trap in that part of PA. Another Station is being considered in West Philadelphia and would have Trolley / Tram Connections. Commuter Rail Service which runs from Philadelphia to Thorndale,PA will be restored to Parkersburg when the New Switches to allow train turning is put in. A New Amtrak and Septa yard will be built in Thorndale in a former Freight yard. Downingtown will see its station move 400 ft to the East and the US 30 Underpass replaced to allow trucks and buses under. The New Station will have a Bus Terminal , Waiting Areas , and High Level platforms. In Philadelphia a Flyover that carries commuter rail service will have to replaced along with upgrades to the Zoo Interchange to allow trains to move faster and without conflicting... All Sub Stations will also be replaced , half of the keystone Corridor is already upgraded. Projected Ridership combining the Intercity and Commuter Rail Services is expected to be 110,000 by 2030.
Downstate Corridor service would run from New York Penn Station to Ocean City,MD , this line would be 122 miles along mostly straight track which would be replaced. This service would 12 stations. Trains would run up to 125mph on this corridor and connect the high population areas to the popular Coastal Gateway areas of Delaware and Maryland... There would be no commuter service on this line just Intercity Rail service. The line would merge onto the NEC in Newark,DE and service other cities and towns in Northern Delaware like Churchman's crossing , Wilmington and Claymont before heading to Philadelphia , Trenton , Newark and New York. Projected Ridership of this line would be 9,400 with seasonal ups and downs.
Northwest line will run for 86 miles between Baltimore and Harrisburg and have 8 stations. The line would service the I-83 corridor and the numerous historic sites and towns in between. The line would also connect into MARC service in Baltimore and with Commuter Rail service in Harrisburg and York. The line would have a top speed of 90mph and could be Diesel or Electric... Projected Ridership on this line combined with future commuter Rail ridership would be 13,000.
Virginia Regional Service , will be Upgraded to Speeds of 125mph and Electrified. The System will one day cover all of Virginia with 610 miles of track , with 10-15 round trips per day along the Main Trunk between DC and Richmond. Richmond to Newport News and Norfolk will see between 10-12 trains a day when the full build is completed. Richmond to Norfolk service is expected to start in December. Regional Service will be extended sometime later this decade from Lynchburg to Roanoke,VA. And all stations will be High level platformed to allow faster boarding and ADA accessibility... The Network currently connects various cities and towns in Virginia and is expected to grow to 120,800 daily riders by 2030 factoring Commuter Rail in Northern Virginia and Norfolk which will be running by then along the Norfolk branch.
Misc Northeastern system upgrades and mini projects to be done by 2030
-All Substations to be replaced
-Voltage on the entire Northeastern network to be brought up to 25 kV AC ,60 Hz
-Newark Penn Station Roof , Platform replacement
-Newark Penn Station platform extension to accomendate 22 cars
-European Style Train shield to cover the Platforms at New Haven Union Station
-South Station 5 Track Expansion and Train Shield
-Baltimore Penn Station Platform and train shield replacement
-All Lower Empire Service stations to be High Level platformed and expanded
-All Downeaster Corridors stations to be High Level platformed and expanded
-Downingtown Station will be moved to make way for a redevelopment and replaced
-Coatesville Station will be replaced as part of the long term Coatesville Plans
-Parkersburg Station will be upgraded to ADA compliance and expanded to handle Septa Service
-All Keystone Service stations will be high level platformed and expanded
-The Beast or Dock Bridges repainting
-New LED Signals to the Entire Northeastern Network
-50 New Acela Cars
-70 New Cities Sprinter Locomotives to replace HHP-8 and AME7 locos operating along the NEC and Keystone corridors
-60 New Amfleet cars for Regional Service not including the New cars for the new feeder lines
-Constant Catenary along the Keystone Corridor
-High Level Platforms to all Septa Stations along Amtrak corridors
-High Level Platforms to all MBTA Stations along Amtrak corridors
-High Level Platforms to all MARC Stations along Amtrak Corridors
The Enhanced Station by Station guide...for Feeder lines 80-125mph
Eastern Pennsylvania Network
Keystone Service New York Penn Station < Connections to 1,2,3 & A,C,E Subways , LIRR Amtrak, and NJT > Newark Penn Station < Connections to Amtrak Services ,PATH , Taxis , Intercity Buses , Newark Light Rail , NJT Raritan Valley line , North Jersey Coast line and Northeast Corridor : Future , MOM Rail Network , West Trenton line and Western Jersey Rail Network > Metropark < Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > New Brunswick (Late Night) < Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > Princeton JCT (Late Night)< Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > Trenton Transit Center < Connections to Amtrak Services , RiverLINE Light Rail ,NJT Northeast Corridor , Taxis and Buses > Cornwall Heights < Connections to Septa Trenton line > North Philadelphia < Connections to Septa Broad Street Subway , Chestnut Hill West line and Trenton line> Philadelphia 30th Street Station < Connections to all Septa Regional Rail & Amtrak, Market-Frankford EL , Trolleys (Trams) , Bus and Taxis service >
Proposed : West Philadelphia < Connections to Septa Thorndale line , 36 Trolley (Tram) and Buses > Ardmore < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Bus Service Paoli < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Bus service , Future : Greenline Light Rail > Exton < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Septa Bus Service > Downingtown < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Local Bus Service > Coatesville < Connections to Future , Septa Parkersburg / Thorndale line > Parkersburg < Connections to Future , Septa Parkersburg / Thorndale line>
Proposed : Atglen Station Lancaster < Connections to Red Rose Transit and Taxis , Future : Lancaster Streetcar network , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Mount Joy < Connections to Red Rose Transit : Future , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Elizabethtown < Connections to Red Rose Transit : Future , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Middletown < Connections to CAT Buses , Future : Corridor One Commuter Rail) Harrisburg < Connections to Amtrak Pennsyviana , CAT Transit , and Taxis , Future : Harrisburg Streetcar , Corridor One Commuter Rail , York & Carlisle Commuter Rail lines , Amtrak Lehigh and Northwest Service >
Lehigh Service Hoboken Terminal < Connections to NJT Regional Rail , Hudson Bergen Light Rail , PATH and Ferries > Newark Penn Station < Connections to Amtrak Services ,PATH , Taxis , Intercity Buses , Newark Light Rail , NJT Raritan Valley line , North Jersey Coast line and Northeast Corridor : Future , MOM Rail Network , West Trenton line and Western Jersey Rail Network >
Proposed : Easton < Connections to LANTA Buses >
Proposed : Bethlehem < Connections to LANTA Buses >
Proposed : Allentown < Connections to LANTA Buses , Future : Allentown BRT and LRT network >
Proposed : Emmaus
Proposed : Macungie
Proposed : Lyons-Kutztown University
Proposed : Reading < Connections to BARTA Buses , Future : Septa Reading line and Reading Streetcar network >
West Wyomissing < Connections to BARTA Buses , Future : Septa Reading line and Reading Streetcar network >
Proposed : Lebanon
Proposed : Hershey < Connections to Hershey Transit > Harrisburg < Connections to Amtrak Pennsyviana , Keystone , CAT Transit , and Taxis , Future : Harrisburg Streetcar , Corridor One Commuter Rail , York & Carlisle Commuter Rail lines , Amtrak Northwest Service >
Lackawanna line New York Penn Station < Connections to 1,2,3 & A,C,E Subways , LIRR Amtrak, and NJT Regional Rail > Newark Broad Street < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network , NJT Bus , Newark Light Rail and Taxis Service Dover < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network and NJT Buses >
Proposed : East Stroudsburg < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network >
Proposed : Analomink
Proposed : Pocono Mountain
Proposed : Tobyhanna
Proposed : Scranton < Connections to Colts buses , Future : Wyoming Valley LRT and BRT >
Proposed : Clarks Summit
Proposed : Binghamton < Connections to Broome County Transit , Future : Binghamton BRT >
Proposed : Endicott
You can't compare a Cali project with a Northeastern project or Midwestern project or Texas or anywhere. The Costs in Cali are often way overinflated or steep because of the Ridiculous Regulations. The Northeast its more spread out , and private is doing half of it...although theres fighting over which route. Idk about Coal plants , but we in the Northeast don't really use Coal to power the Rail network. Amtrak uses Nuclear , Hydro , and Natural Gas , NJT uses Nuclear and Natural Gas , PA uses Hydro and Nuclear , New England uses Hydro , Natural Gas , and Wind... All sources have there up and downs , but have proved reliable over the past century...of course Nuclear started in 1960s... As for Rail Projects in the US they cost 4x what they cost in Europe do to regulations which are outdated and need to be done away with.... Get rid of those regions and you'll see prices drop , a Cali sized system would cost 35 Billion or the original cost. A Northeastern project would cost 60 Billion.... To get rid of these regulations congress needs to move and the FRA needs to an overhaul...but that will never happen because congress is in the pocket of big oil and the Airlines... One of the main reasons is Rail would become profitable do to the lighter trains which use less fuel and can go faster...and thats one of the reasons Rail outside the Northeast struggles to break even...
Can't compare? I'm talking about what it will cost to build these things and nobody knows. Nobody knows how much electricity they will use because nobody knows what kind of things they are even going to build. That is my point. I don't care where your building it. Lighter trains for "profitablility" means electric and that means building all new lines too. Ridiculous regulations eh? LOL. You want oil and coal to have to deal with em but not hi speed rail? It would be nice to be able to pick and choose but everybody has to deal with the nonsense. You act as though you build it and walla they will be making profits. You forget the billions it took to get em up and going. Who pays for that? Who pays for the higher electricity rates when your rail line is making a profit or so you think? What your wanting to do is throw all these rails running on electricity onto the grid while at the same time our government is in the process of shutting down coal plants. Do you even realize that or do you just want hi speed rail for the hell of it because it sound good and France has one??
But most of the Northeastern stops have good connections or near where people live.. The Metroliner ended service in 2006 , although it ended its high speed journeys back in the 90s replaced by Amtrak Regional. As for HSR its mean't for distances of 200-500 miles at least speeds above 180mph , there are mini HSL's with speeds between 125-170mph are good for corridors of 100-300 miles... The Northeast has plans for 6 of them to tie into the New line. As for a Chicago - NY line its best that an Airline cover that.
Near where people live? How near? Withing walking distance? You are living a delusion if you think people will voluntarily get on a train that is not much faster if at all than driving themselves if they have to go through the hassle of getting there to begin with to wait in line and get on the thing then finding a way around at their destination then get back to the train and take it to their "home port" and walk to their car to drive home or as you say walk home. Aint happening unless it's mandated by the government. Lets hope the supremes make it clear that there are no government mandates that can force us to spend our money on things they deem fit here next week or who knows what hell will fall upon this country.
The Enhanced Station by Station guide...for Feeder lines 80-125mph
Eastern Pennsylvania Network
Keystone Service New York Penn Station < Connections to 1,2,3 & A,C,E Subways , LIRR Amtrak, and NJT > Newark Penn Station < Connections to Amtrak Services ,PATH , Taxis , Intercity Buses , Newark Light Rail , NJT Raritan Valley line , North Jersey Coast line and Northeast Corridor : Future , MOM Rail Network , West Trenton line and Western Jersey Rail Network > Metropark < Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > New Brunswick (Late Night) < Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > Princeton JCT (Late Night)< Connections to NJT Northeast Corridor , Bus and Taxis service > Trenton Transit Center < Connections to Amtrak Services , RiverLINE Light Rail ,NJT Northeast Corridor , Taxis and Buses > Cornwall Heights < Connections to Septa Trenton line > North Philadelphia < Connections to Septa Broad Street Subway , Chestnut Hill West line and Trenton line> Philadelphia 30th Street Station < Connections to all Septa Regional Rail & Amtrak, Market-Frankford EL , Trolleys (Trams) , Bus and Taxis service >
Proposed : West Philadelphia < Connections to Septa Thorndale line , 36 Trolley (Tram) and Buses > Ardmore < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Bus Service Paoli < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Bus service , Future : Greenline Light Rail > Exton < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Septa Bus Service > Downingtown < Connections to Septa Thorndale line and Local Bus Service > Coatesville < Connections to Future , Septa Parkersburg / Thorndale line > Parkersburg < Connections to Future , Septa Parkersburg / Thorndale line>
Proposed : Atglen Station Lancaster < Connections to Red Rose Transit and Taxis , Future : Lancaster Streetcar network , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Mount Joy < Connections to Red Rose Transit : Future , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Elizabethtown < Connections to Red Rose Transit : Future , Corridor One Commuter Rail > Middletown < Connections to CAT Buses , Future : Corridor One Commuter Rail) Harrisburg < Connections to Amtrak Pennsyviana , CAT Transit , and Taxis , Future : Harrisburg Streetcar , Corridor One Commuter Rail , York & Carlisle Commuter Rail lines , Amtrak Lehigh and Northwest Service >
Lehigh Service Hoboken Terminal < Connections to NJT Regional Rail , Hudson Bergen Light Rail , PATH and Ferries > Newark Penn Station < Connections to Amtrak Services ,PATH , Taxis , Intercity Buses , Newark Light Rail , NJT Raritan Valley line , North Jersey Coast line and Northeast Corridor : Future , MOM Rail Network , West Trenton line and Western Jersey Rail Network >
Proposed : Easton < Connections to LANTA Buses >
Proposed : Bethlehem < Connections to LANTA Buses >
Proposed : Allentown < Connections to LANTA Buses , Future : Allentown BRT and LRT network >
Proposed : Emmaus
Proposed : Macungie
Proposed : Lyons-Kutztown University
Proposed : Reading < Connections to BARTA Buses , Future : Septa Reading line and Reading Streetcar network >
West Wyomissing < Connections to BARTA Buses , Future : Septa Reading line and Reading Streetcar network >
Proposed : Lebanon
Proposed : Hershey < Connections to Hershey Transit > Harrisburg < Connections to Amtrak Pennsyviana , Keystone , CAT Transit , and Taxis , Future : Harrisburg Streetcar , Corridor One Commuter Rail , York & Carlisle Commuter Rail lines , Amtrak Northwest Service >
Lackawanna line New York Penn Station < Connections to 1,2,3 & A,C,E Subways , LIRR Amtrak, and NJT Regional Rail > Newark Broad Street < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network , NJT Bus , Newark Light Rail and Taxis Service Dover < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network and NJT Buses >
Proposed : East Stroudsburg < Connections to Morris & Essex Rail Network >
Proposed : Analomink
Proposed : Pocono Mountain
Proposed : Tobyhanna
Proposed : Scranton < Connections to Colts buses , Future : Wyoming Valley LRT and BRT >
Proposed : Clarks Summit
Proposed : Binghamton < Connections to Broome County Transit , Future : Binghamton BRT >
Proposed : Endicott
So I gotta pay for a cab ride or bus to and from the rail station then pay for my rail ticket to boot? LOL
Near where people live? How near? Withing walking distance? You are living a delusion if you think people will voluntarily get on a train that is not much faster if at all than driving themselves if they have to go through the hassle of getting there to begin with to wait in line and get on the thing then finding a way around at their destination then get back to the train and take it to their "home port" and walk to their car to drive home or as you say walk home. Aint happening unless it's mandated by the government. Lets hope the supremes make it clear that there are no government mandates that can force us to spend our money on things they deem fit here next week or who knows what hell will fall upon this country.
Alot people in this region walk or bike to the stations , the ones who drive are usually a few miles away...but it works. The Northeastern Suburbs were mostly built by the Railroads are were influenced by them so walking or biking to a station is rather is then driving if you live half to mile from it. You can drive , but its discouraged by the towns to ease congestion. Larger towns have several stations , some with parking others without it...
So I gotta pay for a cab ride or bus to and from the rail station then pay for my rail ticket to boot? LOL
Aint happening
For you...then again alot isn't happening for you... There are some closted suburbanites who take the taxis to avoid using connecting bus service.
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There are some closted suburbanites who take the taxis to avoid using connecting bus service.
