Looks like those photos were part of a press event in Ottawa. There is a video of the beginning of the event here (it starts about 10 min in)
Most of the speeches are what you expect, thanking everyone involved. They answered questions at the end though, and some of the questions were a bit...
More optimistic statements about the project from Brightline. I don't know how seriously to take them but it at least means they'll probably start trying to get support for a bond sale again...
I'm trying to figure out what went into the $7.3 billion headline number
3.4 + 1.5 + 2.0 = 6.9 ...
Maybe it represents the full 130 train sets, which 3.4 and 1.5 are a part of. Interesting Siemens' press release went with $3.4 billion.
Here is the press release from Siemens, not much more information though.
https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-awarded-historic-34-billion-contracts-amtrak
The way they discuss the battery version makes me think it's just to increase fuel efficiency like the Wabtec...
Looks like it will be venture coaches. They are saying dual powered locomotives though.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/07/07/amtrak-new-trains-northeast/
As anyone seen a more detailed press release? I'm curious if all the train sets will be dual powered.
This is in the article
Some of the comments by Brightline make me think they basically agree with you. The issue is that right now they don't really need to convince Hunters Creek of anything, they need to convince Central Florida Expressway Authority to lease them the land before the end of July. It would be hard to...
In other news, the Texas Supreme Court won't hear an appeal of a lower courts ruling that let Texas Central use survey and eminent domain. Ending this particular court battle.
They are going to be using 8 car sets.
https://www.texascentral.com/project/
My understanding is that the RPA they got from FRA is to allow them to use the N700s "as is" but I won't claim to be an expert in FRA regulations. Texas Central Railroad High-Speed Rail Safety Standards
I'm not sure I totally follow, I don't think either CAHSR or Caltrain go through Berkley? In any case, a 14% increase, while not ideal, is pretty mundane as far as transit capital cost overruns are concerned.
The way this came out is pretty odd. They have known for 7 months and this is the first time its been reported? Caltrans gave a presentation about the Venture cars in February where they listed issues they had found and solutions they had come up with, but I don't see any mention of this lead...
Ah yeah, I looked it up after I posted that. In their NEPA reevaluation report they say they have plans to double track all but 19 miles of the route.
from here DesertXpress "XpressWest” - Las Vegas to Victorville | FRA
Here is a map provided with the tweet that announced the speed increase. Interesting that they say MDOT owns the track between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, isn't that owned by CN? Probably just an oversight.