Recent content by NEW RIVER GEORGE

They were supposedly at the Siemens factory today. Said to be moving to Sacramento tonight, then couple up to train 14 for the run up to Seattle. Just remember these poor folks are being micromanaged by their 435 bosses in the US Congress. You gotta wonder how anybody in their right mind can...

Don't forget about Battle Creek and Pontiac. Relative to CUS, I don't think the Chicago work will take place anytime soon, for for an update, there is a link to the newly released long range plan in the recent Trains Magazine newswire. They are talking about some short term renovations to the...

She is moving back to Chicago this morning on the Hoosier State, with P42 #170 in the lead. 60 axles total. The regular Hoosier State usually consists of 24 axles counting the loco and deadhead cars required for minimum length by the railroad. I would suspect it would go on the Illinois...

Since time is getting short for the train to get to Galesburg, and Thursday is a Cardinal day instead of a Hoosier State day, it appears that the Indianapolis to Chicago leg will most likely HAVE to be in the morning, Wednesday September 21. They're probably hauling the stuff up to the station...

I hate to bring it up on a train-lover forum, but...Well, Amtrak is already doing it (gasp!) and I suspect there is a lotta money in doing it more. Run more busses all over the country that connect with trains at big city points, or not. You don't have to worry about station-building or any of...

I couldn't figure this out either. Amtrak, like any public entity, is required to get the best return on any item declared as surplus. In most cases, with the high scrap prices today, a scrapper is going to be the high bidder on any surplus passenger cars. But, if an operator such as a state...

The 40th Year Anniversary train did NOT come out of Beech Grove, Indiana this morning. The regular Hoosier State passed by behind P42 #170 without the extra stuff attached. Since there are a couple of extra days padding before the trip back to Chicago and thence to Galesburg, will figure on...

Future stimulus money? The only thing I see in the previous announcements was $40 million for three station upgrades, Troy, Battle Creek, and Dearborn.

Good catch, that answers a lot of questions that inquring minds had been wondering about. I can't believe I missed it by one day!

OK, thanks. Are the 95 speeds every day on every train, or just once and a while? I wonder if Mrs. Garmin was having a bad day, or if 106 is correct. I believe the top speed of the P42 is supposed to be 103?

What's the top speed these days on Amtrak's Kalamazoo line, 79 or 95? Saw that some stimulus money is going to the Wolverine, what's it going to be used for, ADA compliance at stations en-route? Just curious.

If the concept is an eventual high speed rail loop including Chicago, Indy, Cinci, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo and in-between points, it makes no sense to not have at least twice daily connections between the new Ohio train at both end points. My opinion is that this is the falacy of "state...

Thanks for your comments and glad to get the update on the Vermonter. I am told off line that 129 might also be around Springfield as well, but still no definite sighting in February.

Interesting, I had wondered. My personal opinion is that the baggage car, sightseer lounge, extra sleeper coach and diner never should have been removed from CNO. It is a good trip, and there is no need to artificially try to dampen demand by reducing capacity and/or amenities.

When I took the Pioneer the darned sleeper was up against the F40, so it was pretty noisy. Well, you could get used to that after a couple of days but unfortunately the trip didn't last that long. On the other hand, when I took the Desert Wind section the sleeper was on the rear, which is...