THe TRAINS NEWSWIRE of this date has the story:WASHINGTON — Amtrak is contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets that will replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service. The contract is part of $2.45 billion that will be invested on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor as part of a multifaceted modernization program to renew and expand the Acela Express service.
“Amtrak is taking the necessary actions to keep our customers, the Northeast region and the American economy moving forward,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “These trainsets and the modernization and improvement of infrastructure will provide our customers with the mobility and experience of the future.”
VEEPJoe Biden made the announcement at His Station in Delaware today.
Sounds great, but is this not the same AMTRAK that is currently threatening to cut service on the NEC because it is in a battle with the States along the way over WHO is going to pay for the infrastructure maintenance?
Further from the same Newswire piece: [snip] "…“As more people rely on Amtrak, we need modernized equipment and infrastructure to keep the region moving,” said Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors Anthony Coscia. “These trainsets will build on the popularity and demand of the current Acela Express and move this company into the future as a leader in providing world-class transportation.”
The new trainsets will operate along the Washington — New York — Boston Northeast Corridor initially at speeds up to 160 mph and will be capable of speeds up to 186 mph and thus will be able to take advantage of future NEC infrastructure improvements.
Additionally, the trainsets use the base design of one of the safest high-speed trainsets. Concentrated power cars, located at each end of the trainset, provide an extra buffer of prot
I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets. Later in the Examiner story is this:
“Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement.”
Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time.
“Moynihan Station”? Where the devil is Moynihan Station? In Dublin? Belfast? Derry? Why would Amtrak have a station on the Emerald Isle? [;)] (Seriously, is this a non-starter as a name for Penn Station?)
RME: You’re 100% right about where all that money is supposed to go; it’s not just for train sets.
FTL:"…The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services.
The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.
Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing programme, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues.
The loan will also fund improvements at Wahington Union
"I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets…" Later in the Examiner story is this:
“Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement.”
Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time.
FTL:"…The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services.
The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.
Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US
"I suspect this 2.45B is for much more than the 28 trainsets…" Later in the Examiner story is this:
“Amtrak plans to use the loan to provide necessary track upgrades between the New Carrolton and Baltimore stations, and perform station and platform improvements at four of the busiest stations in the Northeast Corridor. Those are Moynihan Station, Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station, the White House said in a statement.”
Mike can probably provide us with the text of that statement, and with some other details about exactly how Amtrak (now about to be under even more competent management!) will allocate the spending over time.
FTL:"…The fleet will enter revenue service from 2021 onwards, enabling the withdrawal of the Acelas by 2022. With additional trains, Amtrak says it will be able to offer half-hourly peak Acela Express services between Washington DC and New York as well as hourly New York - Boston services.
The trains will offer improved Wi-Fi, power sockets, USB ports and adjustable reading lights at every seat.
Amtrak is funding the acquisition of new rolling stock and infrastructure enhancements through a $US 2.45bn Federal Railroad Administration
The way I read it was $2 Billion for the Alstom trainsets and $450 million for NEC infrastructure upgrades for a total of $2.45 Billion. I agree on it being a grant not a loan and lets not kid ourselves here it will be turned into a grant just iike the loan was for the Acela trainsets, revenues might repay part of the loan but Amtrak is going to need help from Congress covering the whole amount and will need to remove $2.5 Billion from it’s balance sheet long before 2021, it has other projects to fund and not enough room on the balance sheet to cover them all. Namely the tunnel project between NJ and Manhattan that needs to be completed in the next 5-10 years to avoid massive disruption.
Sam: Not to be nasty but some of your info on the Chosin Reservoir is amiss. Here are a few: Chesty Puller became a General later, but at that time was a full colonel in charge of the 1st Marine Regiment. He organized Operation Drydale using G company of the 1st Marines, but also the 41st Royal Marine Commando and B company of the 31st infantry (US army). Chinese divisions nominally had ~10,000 men. The 1st division (US Marines, commander Maj. General Oliver Smith) had an effective strength of 25,473 + with other forces combined total about 30,000. The Chinese forces (9th Army) were about 120,000. The battle was a textbook example of a highly skillful, successful retreat, fought with great bravery.
Ok, so I’m about to go off the reservation [#offtopic] but there are enough of us with military backgrounds here, and a few Marines, this will be relevant.
Professor, Absolutely, would not argue with your account of life events of Louis Burwell Puller aka “Chesty”. H is almost mithological in the " Halls of Montezuma" his accomplishments are lefgendary. In his career which spanned some 40 years he earned in combat, a Silver Star, a Bronz Star, a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Service Cross, and FIVE Navy Crosses. [ A Distinguished Service Cross ( Gen. Puller’s was awarded by the U.S. Army) is the second highest award behind the CMOH, and the Navy Cross is third in line behinf the DSC. ]
Here is some information on part of the time in Korea you had mentioned :[snip]"…In January 1951, Puller was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned duty as assistant division commander (ADC) of the 1st Marine Division. On Febru
All true. However, when examining a specific historical period such as a battle, it is more correct to refer to a soldier’s rank at that time. Along with his valor and medals, Puller also had a ‘darker side’ in his combat record, like most great commanders.
Lewis Puller Jr., Vietnam Hero and Biographer, Is Dead at 48
RICHMOND, May 11—Lewis B. Puller Jr., who won the Pulitzer Prize for chronicling his fight against despair and alcoholism after he lost both legs while serving in Vietnam, died this afternoon. He was 48 years old.
A spokesman for the police in Fairfax County, Va., said Mr. Puller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Mount Vernon, Va., just outside Washington.
His wife, Linda T. Puller, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, was in Richmond today for a one-day session of the Legislature. Friends said the couple had
Through the Marine PR Lens you usually get nothing but Marines in action and the impression you always leave with is the Marines did almost everything by themselves with no help or assistance, if the Army is mentioned it’s in a much reduced B part role, that gives you the impression the Marines didn’t even need the Army. They win over Congress over with the same BS. It’s never true and wasn’t true at the battle of Okinawa which the Marines worship, or the adventure in regards to Montezuma. It’s a big reason there is always tension between Marines and Army. Marines tend to take a little more credit than what actually happened via their PR machine.
Inchon would not have succedeed as well as it did because the Marines were so slow with moving forwards, MacArthur used the 187th Airborne Infantry to drop in deeper to the pennisula and behind enemy lines to ensure panic gripped the troops to the South that they would be cutoff rapidly. The 187th was surrounded as soon as they landed because they were behind enemy lines.
Likewise on the advance to the Chinese border the Army 187th Infantry dropped in South of Pongyang to encircle it and take it (North Kor
AS I had said earlier, I did not want toget ‘out in the weeds’ (or ‘off the reservation’ on this issue)… NOW, I DO NOT WANT AN Intermural ‘Food Fight’ on this, either. It seems readily apparent that you have a strong opinion on where issues of U.S. ARMY vs. Marine Corps are concerned…Opinions you are entitled to have. [X-)][sigh]
The Korean War is now some 65 or so years in History… so you may enjoy reading a couple of linked sites on that subject. Korean War 1950-53 @
I want to talk to you plainly tonight about what we are doing in Korea and about our policy in the Far East.
In the simplest terms, what we are doing in Korea is this: We are trying to prevent a third world war.
I think most people in this country recognized that fact last June. And they warmly supported the decision of the Government to help the Republic of Korea against the Communist aggressors. Now, many persons, even some who applauded our decision to defend Korea, have forgotten the basic reason for our action.
It is right for us to be in Korea now. It was right last June. It is right today.
I want to remind you why this is true.
The Communists in the Kremlin are engaged in a monstrous conspiracy to stamp out freedom all over the world. If they were to succeed, the United States would be numbered among their principal victims. It must be clear to everyone that the United States cannot—and will not—sit idly by and await foreign conquest. The only question is: What is the best time to meet the threat and how is the best way to meet it?
The best time to meet the threat is in the beginning. It is easier to put out a fire in the beginning when it is small than after it has become a roaring blaze. And the best way to meet the threat of aggression is for the peace-loving nations to ac
