Recent content by TransitTyrant

Amtrak has requested a waiver from the FRA for installation of equipment to improve the shunting of track circuits. Once installed the axle and Superliner only requirements should be lifted on trains. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/19/2024-08365/petition-for-waiver-of-compliance

Not really related to this discussion but Amtrak applied for a waiver from the FRA to install antenna on their locomotives to properly shunt crossing signals. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/19/2024-08365/petition-for-waiver-of-compliance

Metra Electric no, SSL east of Kensington is certainly on the table and being discussed. Since that EIS the SSL has completely double tracked their line and raised the speed in places.

I’ve heard similar but they always seem to place more emphasis on the single level Midwest trains. Likely the LSL/Cardinal would use them too.

The grant for the mail platforms doesn’t even mention Metra. There’s two grants awarded, both included platform modifications. The baggage platforms will be modified for Metra use while the Mail platforms are for Amtrak Midwest trains. Rebuilding the Mail platforms to low level is just...

The Mail platforms are high level thus Metra can’t utilize them yet. That and BNSF trains would have to cross over the Amtrak tracks in order to access them. The reactivated Mail platforms likely will be used by the corridor trains using single level equipment.

Refurbished Horizon equipment, cafe/business car, and push pull.

You’re link appears to be broken, do you have another by chance?

Amtrak also requested 250 million for CHIP, unclear though on which subproject this would fund. Also revealed is the total cost which has somehow jumped to 3 billion.

Metra has been adding new substations along the line for the past few years. I imagine that would at least partially suffice for power needs.

Brightline has mentioned Midwest corridors in the past but they want to be the exclusive operator of those trains. Notably they mentioned the Chicago-St Louis route, probably because the public paid for all the upgrades.

CUS does have a decently sized concourse though for passengers to wait. Currently it’s being renovated to update the waiting areas and improve flow.

Bilevel equipment to replace current Superliners only correct? They aren’t designed a NEC capable bilevel are they?

The Great River Rail Commission was throwing a fit over Amtrak trying to copyrighting the name “Great River” so that’s probably why the name was changed.

A Twitter user involved in Minnesota transit advocacy spoke with Erik Rudeen of MNDOT, the train is expected to start this spring. The dates haven’t been released.