[FILF]

Originally Posted by Off-beat

The horrible drivers are almost never from Massachusetts or Connecticut. They are exclusively from regions of the country other than New England. In New England we drive intelligently and in full awareness of our surroundings. The same really can't be said for any other region.

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Can we nominate this post as possibly the most amusing post this board has ever seen.

[wtby4000]

The logo has been unveiled.

Hartford Line commuter rail logo by Office of Governor Dan Malloy, on Flickr

Map:

[Stylo]

What's the latest date for it going live?

[wtby4000]

Late 2016

Governor Malloy: Gov. Malloy Announces Three New Train Stations as Part of NHHS Rail Program

[ansky]

How is this train service going to work in places like Berlin where there is only 1 track? Many years ago I used to take the train between NYC and Berlin and I remember in some cases we had to wait to let other trains pass that were going in the other direction. Are they going to add new tracks? Also will overhead power lines be installed or will the corridor remain all diesel?

[wtby4000]

According to the Courant:

State Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said the service will start with 17 round-trips between New Haven and Hartford, with up to 12 trains continuing north to Springfield. Most of the route south of Hartford will be double-tracked to accommodate the higher frequencies.

Construction To Begin On New Commuter Rail Stations In Wallingford, Meriden - Hartford Courant

The official website lists 27 miles of new track:

Track
27 miles of additional double track on existing single track sections
2 miles of new passing sidings
5 new interlockings (so trains can change tracks)
Signaling and control systems, including Positive Train Control
Repair, rehabilitation and replacement of bridges and culverts

Crossings
Improvements at at-grade crossings

Stations
High-level platforms, pedestrian overpasses, parking, and other amenities at:

- Wallingford
- Meriden
- Berlin
- Hartford (high-level platform only)

Equipment
New train equipment to augment Amtrak’s fleet and build Connecticut's regional train fleet

New Haven - Hartford - Springfield Rail Program: Objectives & Scope

The line will not be electrified.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by ansky

How is this train service going to work in places like Berlin where there is only 1 track? Many years ago I used to take the train between NYC and Berlin and I remember in some cases we had to wait to let other trains pass that were going in the other direction. Are they going to add new tracks? Also will overhead power lines be installed or will the corridor remain all diesel?

Sectins of the track along the route are going to be doubled to allow for better service. The ultimate goal is to restore the double tracks along the entire corridor. Amtrak should have never been allowed to remove the double tracks that existed there in the first place. Connecticut tried to stop them but lost that battle years ago and now we are paying the price with having to spend millions to restore something we once had. Not good long range planning on Amtrak's part. Jay

[wtby4000]

Aren't old tracks and sleepers removed and replaced on a regular basis anyway? When did Amtrak remove the second track? Perhaps even if Amtrak did not remove them, they'd have been replaced by now anyway.

[Stylo]

What's the target travel speed? I'm hoping this will be faster than the NH line?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by wtby4000

Aren't old tracks and sleepers removed and replaced on a regular basis anyway? When did Amtrak remove the second track? Perhaps even if Amtrak did not remove them, they'd have been replaced by now anyway.

I think Amtrak abandoned the second track about 25 years ago. They spent millions removing one of the two tracks that were there. The state tried to fight it because the line still had passenger and freight service on one track which made it difficult to improve service. If the tracks were kept they would not have needed to spend as much adding a second track and you would likely see service today instead of in two years. Jay