INTERMODAL · FREIGHT · PASSENGER · TOURIST
NHRRA June
Meeting Minutes The June 25th meeting was
held at the Northfield Freight House.
The minutes of the May meeting were accepted as printed. The Treasurers report was read and accepted
with a balance of $917.56.
Legislative
Affairs Jim Whittemore indicated the
House would be voting on the budget on 26 June.
Boston -
Portland Amtrak The Surface Transportation
Board has directed Guilford to provide access to Amtrak for testing of the track
modulus prior to 79 mph operation of the line.
Some work still needs to be completed.
Boston -
Kittery Legislative Task Force The Town of
Kittery, ME continues to actively pursue a rail connection to help revitalize
and bring tourism to the town.
Boston to
Montreal High Speed Rail The statement of work (SOW)
for this project still has not been finalized.
Both Boston and Montreal are pushing hard with some discussion of them
purchasing the train sets for ultimate operation. SOW finalization expected by end of July. There is some discussion that the Canadian
National might take over operation of the NECR trackage when a five-year lease
expires soon. CN provides services to
the Bombardier factory in Websterville, VT where the Acela trainsets are assembled
for the Northeast Corridor. Bombardier
would be the likely supplier for a Boston - Montreal High Speed rail corridor
as well.
Claremont
& Concord In Claremont, a wood pellet (for
stoves) company would use 15 cars/week if the line were repaired.
Manchester
Airport Rail Connection Peter Griffin has scheduled a
meeting with John Ayers of the Manchester Civic Center to discuss access to the
facility, parking and other issues. Also
discussed was a potential Manchester Airport to Logan LRV connection using
abandoned rail corridors along Rt 114 in Massachusetts.
Manchester
& Lawrence Corridor The need to reopen this
corridor was reiterated, as was the possibility of extending up the WN&P
corridor from Windham Junction to serve commuters at the Epping Park-n-Ride.
Nashua-Bennington
Rail Corridor Tom Greenman commented that the rail bridge
serving the Monadnock Paper Mill in Bennington needs repair before service can
be restored. The repairs must be
nominal because it was completely rebuilt just before Guilford ceased operation
and abandoned it. The line between
Nashua and Wilton is also in serious need of repairs.
White River
Jct. - Newport NVRR continues once a week
service between Newport and White River Jct. pending probable sale or
refinancing of the Bangor & Aroostook system by IRR. The State of Vermont is considering purchase
of the balance of the line from Wells River to Newport to preserve the entire
corridor. Steve Glines of the NHDOT is
considering converting the Woodsville RR bridge over the Connecticut River for
auto use while the highway bridge is being replaced.
Transportation
Education Mel True reiterated the NHRRA’s dedication
to public education on rail matters, and mentioned that Caledonian Rail Lines
has a 1949 C&O Pullman which is based on the Hobo Railroad and is available
for parties of up to 15 people. Could
be used as an educational tool especially for the younger generation.
Recorded
by Gus Sheedy
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News Notes:
** 3500 Boy Scouts at National
Jamboree 21 July - 1 August will be taking the Railroad Merit Badge using
modified requirements to be published soon in the new Merit Badge Booklet. Our own Tink Taylor will be in attendance,
as will a locomotive simulator in a pavilion sponsored by NS, CSX, AMTK and
BNSF.
**The American Public Transportation Association
(APTA) indicates that 3,400 miles of commuter routes that are planned or being
considered are at risk because of freight railroad access issues.
** On March 16th UP loaded it’s 100,000th Powder
River train since the 107 mile line was opened in 1984. The line averages 34 trains/day, with an all
time high of 78 trains loaded in two days on march 8th and 9th, 2001.
**Amtrak won full funding of $521M and the Federal
Transit Administration won full funding of $6.7B for 2002. Also fully funded
were the Federal Highway Administration at $32.3B and the Federal Aviation
Administration at $13.3B. (Note that
main line rail miles are roughly equivalent to federal highway miles in the US!
What a funding contrast!)
** California Gov. Gray Davis and Amtrak Vice Chair.
Michael Dukakis announced a 20-year $10.1B rail plan that will provide hourly
service between LA, and San Diego and San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento, first
rail service in 30 years between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and expanded
service to eight new communities.
** Salt Lace City has announced another 1.5 mile
3-station extension on it’s LRV University Line.
** A $788M Penn Station expansion into the James A.
Farley Post Office building to provide Amtrak with new facilities will be managed
by Fraport AG which operates the airport in Frankfurt, Germany.
** A study conducted by Plymouth State College in
July and August last year indicated 90% of visitors to the Mt. Washington Cog
Railway wanted retention of steam power.
The split was 76.5% for coal, 9.5% for oil, and 9.5% for a cable drawn
funicular operation.
** AMTRAK Facts:
FY 2000 Postal Service Revenue was $96.1M with a 30% profit margin. Coach passengers account for 84% of riders
on long distance trains, and 76% of passenger miles traveled.
[Paul
W Chapman <milepost10@juno.com>
7/8/01 10:41 PM]
