Comments on: Amtrak Plans to Compete for Florida Service, Purchase Dozens of New Trains http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:43:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: OceanRailroader http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-30090 OceanRailroader Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:01:54 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-30090 Amtrak should add more auto trains to all their major long travel routes so that people could take their cars with but avoid the long drives and expessive hotels going between cities. Amtrak should add more auto trains to all their major long travel routes so that people could take their cars with but avoid the long drives and expessive hotels going between cities.

]]> By: Michael Triplett http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-30037 Michael Triplett Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:13:48 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-30037 I think Amtrak should use the money to build new high speed tracks, each track should be build in pairs, one running in one direction and the other track of the pair running in the other (i.e. the pair would be north and south bound from DC to Atlanta). I would also think it should have a major track system (high speed) above ground so the safety issues would be handled, and make all the train system communicate via wireless between the trains and controlling stations, only have human operator as a standby in case of a fault. Each major city would have high speed rail traffic from major city to major city, like a express from NYC to DC (no stops). This way the trains can compete as a safe reliable transportation system. I think Amtrak should use the money to build new high speed tracks, each track should be build in pairs, one running in one direction and the other track of the pair running in the other (i.e. the pair would be north and south bound from DC to Atlanta). I would also think it should have a major track system (high speed) above ground so the safety issues would be handled, and make all the train system communicate via wireless between the trains and controlling stations, only have human operator as a standby in case of a fault. Each major city would have high speed rail traffic from major city to major city, like a express from NYC to DC (no stops). This way the trains can compete as a safe reliable transportation system.

]]> By: Ocean Railroader http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-26160 Ocean Railroader Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:27:52 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-26160 Amtrack can do it. The reason why it has not been able to give out high speed rail is that it has been spending most of it's time fighting off 30 years of underfunding and dealing with the danger of being ended. At the same time the other major counties spent huge amounts of money on their national rail systems Amtrack has been living off of table scraps. I think high speed rail would be very good for Amtrack it could very well become as good as the high speed rail in the other counties. Amtrack can do it.

The reason why it has not been able to give out high speed rail is that it has been spending most of it’s time fighting off 30 years of underfunding and dealing with the danger of being ended. At the same time the other major counties spent huge amounts of money on their national rail systems Amtrack has been living off of table scraps. I think high speed rail would be very good for Amtrack it could very well become as good as the high speed rail in the other counties.

]]> By: Mason Hicks http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-26133 Mason Hicks Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:17:18 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-26133 I love AMTRAK. I fully support it's mission. But to use the montra that AMTRAK is the only only high-speed rail operator in the US is completely absurd, and theyy know it. The fact is AMTRAK, there is NO high speed rail operator in the US. I understand that AMTRAK would like very much to be allowed to, and be given the resources to become a valid high-speed rail operator, but unfortunately, that has not been the case thus far. If measured in Europe, Acela would in fact, be considered conventional rail with its performance at current levels. I'm sure the SNCFs, the Shinkansens(JCS), and the Deutsch-Bahns, (groups that really do high speed rail) find this just as laughable as I do. True high speed rail requires rail ROW that is planned, designed, and constructed and equipped meter for meter on solely for high speed rail. That does not exist on this continent. Instead, of AMTRAK talking big and trying to experiment in something it actually knows nothing about, they should be proactive in trying to lead the discussion on what format high-speed rail is going to take on this continent. Otherwise, we will have mag-lev here, TGV-type trackage there, modified existing rail ROW elsewhere, and who knows, some weird monorail system to fill in the gaps. Allthewhile AMTRAK must consult with those bodies that have experience doing this. We're building the cart before the cart path, and its going to lead to a big mess, nothing that we can weave into a synthesized, continental true high speed rail network. I love AMTRAK. I fully support it’s mission. But to use the montra that AMTRAK is the only only high-speed rail operator in the US is completely absurd, and theyy know it. The fact is AMTRAK, there is NO high speed rail operator in the US. I understand that AMTRAK would like very much to be allowed to, and be given the resources to become a valid high-speed rail operator, but unfortunately, that has not been the case thus far. If measured in Europe, Acela would in fact, be considered conventional rail with its performance at current levels. I’m sure the SNCFs, the Shinkansens(JCS), and the Deutsch-Bahns, (groups that really do high speed rail) find this just as laughable as I do. True high speed rail requires rail ROW that is planned, designed, and constructed and equipped meter for meter on solely for high speed rail. That does not exist on this continent.
Instead, of AMTRAK talking big and trying to experiment in something it actually knows nothing about, they should be proactive in trying to lead the discussion on what format high-speed rail is going to take on this continent. Otherwise, we will have mag-lev here, TGV-type trackage there, modified existing rail ROW elsewhere, and who knows, some weird monorail system to fill in the gaps. Allthewhile AMTRAK must consult with those bodies that have experience doing this. We’re building the cart before the cart path, and its going to lead to a big mess, nothing that we can weave into a synthesized, continental true high speed rail network.

]]> By: The Rail Enthusiast http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-25460 The Rail Enthusiast Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:57:10 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-25460 I'm sorry folks, but the idea of Amtrak running new HSR lines anywhere is an indication that the agency has its priorities mixed up. Instead of trying to outbid the Europeans and the Asians, Amtrak needs to provide a California-like network of CONVENTIONAL speed corridors in the state first, not to mention, adding more long-distance trains that serve Florida. I’m sorry folks, but the idea of Amtrak running new HSR lines anywhere is an indication that the agency has its priorities mixed up. Instead of trying to outbid the Europeans and the Asians, Amtrak needs to provide a California-like network of CONVENTIONAL speed corridors in the state first, not to mention, adding more long-distance trains that serve Florida.

]]> By: Ocean Railroader http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-24940 Ocean Railroader Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:37:41 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-24940 They could buy new trains and keep the old ones to add space to some of the over packed trains. I don't think they should get rid of the older trains and locomtives in that Amtrack's ridership has gone up to record levels in the last three years and it could easly grow to say form 23 millon to 30 to 35 millon very easly in the next ten years. But consdering there are 300 millon people in the US 50 millon trips might happen one day. They could buy new trains and keep the old ones to add space to some of the over packed trains. I don’t think they should get rid of the older trains and locomtives in that Amtrack’s ridership has gone up to record levels in the last three years and it could easly grow to say form 23 millon to 30 to 35 millon very easly in the next ten years. But consdering there are 300 millon people in the US 50 millon trips might happen one day.

]]> By: Andy Guthrie http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-24937 Andy Guthrie Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:21:59 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-24937 The national fleet replacement is great news, particularly since it opens up huge new possibilities for improved service, as long as the old equipment isn't scrapped. Viewliner II's, Superliner III's (?), and something to replace the Crash-8 based P42DC's would allow existing equipment to be idled long enough for major rebuilds that could extend service lives for decades on new corridors and secondary services at a fraction of the cost and lead time of buying new--kind of a second Heritage Fleet program. In addition, it would also allow Amtrak to stop having to run the National Network with a spare ratio of effectively zero by using older equipment to protect schedules and even occasionally add capacity when trains like the Crescent or Empire Builder occasionally sell out days or weeks in advance. The national fleet replacement is great news, particularly since it opens up huge new possibilities for improved service, as long as the old equipment isn’t scrapped. Viewliner II’s, Superliner III’s (?), and something to replace the Crash-8 based P42DC’s would allow existing equipment to be idled long enough for major rebuilds that could extend service lives for decades on new corridors and secondary services at a fraction of the cost and lead time of buying new–kind of a second Heritage Fleet program. In addition, it would also allow Amtrak to stop having to run the National Network with a spare ratio of effectively zero by using older equipment to protect schedules and even occasionally add capacity when trains like the Crescent or Empire Builder occasionally sell out days or weeks in advance.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-24865 Alon Levy Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:50:23 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-24865 Overall, the 7th Avenue Lines have more ridership than the 8th Avenue Lines, by a large margin. Overall, the 7th Avenue Lines have more ridership than the 8th Avenue Lines, by a large margin.

]]> By: Adirondacker12800 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-24826 Adirondacker12800 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:37:37 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-24826 <em>pretty much nobody wants to use the 8th Avenue Line</em> 92,750 fares are collected at the 34th St stop on the 7th Ave on an average weekday. 85,541 at the 8th Ave. station. ( MTA 2008 figures ) <em>For the connection to the 7/S,</em> And when or if the new Amtrak Station is complete there will be a station on the Flushing line at 34th between 10th and 11th. Block and half, two blocks from the new Amtrak Station. Easier to get to than the labyrinth that is Time Square if you are wheeling a suitcase. <em>and for service to almost all West Side destination, the 7th Avenue Line is more useful</em> Meh, depends on where you are going. No difference if you want to get to Columbus Circle. A NJTransit or Amtrak rider would be inclined to use the 8th Ave because NJTransit and Amtrak use the 8th Ave end of the station. LIRR riders would be inclined to use the 7th ave because the LIRR uses the 7th ave end of the station. Any of them that wanted to get to West 4th street would use the 8th. If they wanted to get to Zabar's the 7th. Museum of Natural History, the 8th. There's life beyond the Broadway on the Upper West Side, Union Square or Chinatown? The 6th or the Broadway BMT. Lexington, Madison or Park in the upper 40s or lower 50s? The E train. Bloomingdale's? the N, R, or W. .... pretty much nobody wants to use the 8th Avenue Line

92,750 fares are collected at the 34th St stop on the 7th Ave on an average weekday. 85,541 at the 8th Ave. station. ( MTA 2008 figures )

For the connection to the 7/S,

And when or if the new Amtrak Station is complete there will be a station on the Flushing line at 34th between 10th and 11th. Block and half, two blocks from the new Amtrak Station. Easier to get to than the labyrinth that is Time Square if you are wheeling a suitcase.

and for service to almost all West Side destination, the 7th Avenue Line is more useful

Meh, depends on where you are going. No difference if you want to get to Columbus Circle. A NJTransit or Amtrak rider would be inclined to use the 8th Ave because NJTransit and Amtrak use the 8th Ave end of the station. LIRR riders would be inclined to use the 7th ave because the LIRR uses the 7th ave end of the station. Any of them that wanted to get to West 4th street would use the 8th. If they wanted to get to Zabar’s the 7th. Museum of Natural History, the 8th. There’s life beyond the Broadway on the Upper West Side, Union Square or Chinatown? The 6th or the Broadway BMT. Lexington, Madison or Park in the upper 40s or lower 50s? The E train. Bloomingdale’s? the N, R, or W. ….

]]> By: Ocean Railroader http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/01/12/amtrak-plans-to-compete-for-florida-service-purchase-dozens-of-new-trains/#comment-24824 Ocean Railroader Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:13:27 +0000 http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/?p=5286#comment-24824 I do think the bridges along the Amtrack NEC are in bad shape and in need of replacement a lot of them are eather rusted though or beat up. The Bridge over the Potomac does need to be replaced with a four track bridge in that they are already working on having three to four sets of tracks on eatch side of it. I do think the bridges along the Amtrack NEC are in bad shape and in need of replacement a lot of them are eather rusted though or beat up. The Bridge over the Potomac does need to be replaced with a four track bridge in that they are already working on having three to four sets of tracks on eatch side of it.

]]>