Detroit, MI

[Wolverine72]

Detroit News

detroitnews-mi.newsmemory.com

 

[jiml]

Detroit News

detroitnews-mi.newsmemory.com

Could you hint what the article is about? It would be helpful to know if it's worth jumping through hoops to read. Thanks.

 

[Eric S]

It's behind a paywall so, yeah, perhaps a hint would be helpful...

 

[Wolverine72]

Detroit News

detroitnews-mi.newsmemory.com

Here is the title of article. (cut and past if that’s allowed)
Trains gaining steam as safer option
Experts: Likely less risk of COVID-19 than on planes

But most of the article talks of new equipment and trackage.

“In Michigan, a clear example is a batch of upgraded locomotives, and new passenger cars are soon to arrive. On Jan. 25, a test train with no passengers pulled new coaches from Chicago to Pontiac, then back to Chicago on Jan. 26. The coaches, built in theUSAby the German multinational company Siemens, will be pulled by almost-new Siemens Charger locomotives, which Amtrak introduced in the Midwest in 2018 and 2019.

Siemens said these SC-44 Charger locomotives have a top speed of 125 mph, although they can’t roll nearly that fast just yet between the Motor City and the Windy City. Each boasts a 4,400horsepower diesel engine made by manufacturer Cummins in Indiana, which generates electricity that powers four electric motors to turn the drive wheels. The locomotives burn about 10% less diesel fuel per mile than the old engines they are replacing and spew far less pollution, reducing by about 90% the two banes of diesel exhaust – oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, the diesel “soot” that’s noxious to human lungs.

The new cars could be put into service as soon as this spring, said Michael Frezell, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which purchased the cars and owns much of the track Amtrak uses between Detroit and Chicago.”

I’m looking forward to riding the new stuff to Chicago this spring.

 

[MIRAILFAN]

Is the Detroit station safe? s it close to light rail or sight?s?

 

[SarahZ]

Is the Detroit station safe? s it close to light rail or sight?s?

During the day, yes (but be smart about it). You can catch the Q Line (light rail) from the station.

As for nearby sights, you have the Motown Museum, Fisher Building, Wayne State University's campus, Detroit History Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, and some other museums.

Parts of Detroit are walkable, but I would recommend Uber or Lyft to get around if you aren't familiar with the area. Your safety can change block by block sometimes. Detroit is undergoing an amazing revitalization, but there are still some sketchy pockets in the midst of that change.

 

[Wolverine72]

I use the new Troy station or Dearborn station near Greenfield Village when I travel to Chicago and beyond. Both have fairly safe long term parking lots.
Detroit may have some walkable areas but be sure there are decent size crowds a nearby. Even around the Fox and stadium district the panhandlers get aggressive if you’re not in a group.