207 replies to this topic

[beerbeer]

McCain has been a huge opponent of Amtrak as has most of the congress from outside the northeast, Democratic and Republican.  Bush's agenda on rail is little different from Clinton.  Amtrak itself bears a great responsiblity for the perception it is incompetent.  But  mostly, it is the congress from outside the northeast that see little benefit in a national rail system.

[mr2448]

HartfordTycoon, on Sep 30 2005, 03:42 PM, said:

This page has links to the final study of the New Haven Hartford Springfield Commuter line. What are people's opinions on the feasability and overall impact that this project would have for Central CT and Western MA. I personally feel it will better link our regions and the amenities that each distinct region has to offer to one another. If the end result is more regional thought and cooperation than this project could do wonders for Hartford and the region. You could take a commuter train all the way from Fairfield county to Hartford or Bradley or to Springfield. It would even connect New London to Hartford via Shoreline East. I am really a strong proponent of this project and seriously hope it does not get derailed, no pun intended.
CONN DOT Page for the project

I also think that commuter rail could/should be revived on the New Britain/Waterbury line. The Hazardville/Somers line to Springfield could also be reinstituted.

Mark

[HartfordTycoon]

Here's a NYT article about the commuter line and the various transportation budget proposals put forth by our legislature. I hope that the more aggressive plans are pursued as opposed to Rell and the very modest republican plan.
New Haven Hartford Springfield Commuter rail ariticle

[Garris]

HartfordTycoon, on Mar 16 2006, 11:48 AM, said:

Here's a NYT article about the commuter line and the various transportation budget proposals put forth by our legislature. I hope that the more aggressive plans are pursued as opposed to Rell and the very modest republican plan.
New Haven Hartford Springfield Commuter rail ariticle

Great article.  Thanks for posting it.  It needs to be done, and sooner rather than later...

- Garris

PS: Does anyone actually use the Danbury to NH rail connector?

[havok100]

PS: Does anyone actually use the Danbury to NH rail connector?
[/quote]
I think it is the Metro North Line which runs from NH to NY through Danbury.  
I think it is a great idea for Hartford, New Britian, Willimantic, the infrastructure is already there for high density development in these areas.

[Garris]

havok100, on Mar 18 2006, 08:43 AM, said:

I think it is the Metro North Line which runs from NH to NY through Danbury.

That I know, but why would anyone use it to go to NYC?  The Brewster North station is 15 minutes West of Danbury, and that's a straight shot to NYC with express trains (about 1:15 in length).  Who uses the Danbury to NH line, and for what?

- Garris

[fivedayrental]

Garris, on Mar 18 2006, 09:14 AM, said:

That I know, but why would anyone use it to go to NYC?  The Brewster North station is 15 minutes West of Danbury, and that's a straight shot to NYC with express trains (about 1:15 in length).  Who uses the Danbury to NH line, and for what?

- Garris

Most people in Danbury that take the train go to the Brewster/Southeast Station in downtown Brewster, a 7 minute trip from western danbury. As for th Danbury/New Haven Train (via Norwalk) almost no one takes it. Come to think of it, someone my mom works with takes the train from Bridgeport, changes trains in South Norwalk, takes the train to downtown danburyand then takes the bus or walks 3 miles to work (all that for about $8.00 a hr, I guess things are that bad in Bridgeport).

[Mike D]

Garris, on Mar 17 2006, 11:30 PM, said:

Great article.  Thanks for posting it.  It needs to be done, and sooner rather than later...

- Garris

PS: Does anyone actually use the Danbury to NH rail connector?

Yes, the state has been dragging its feet on the NH-Springfield commuter rail. This could and should have up and running many years ago.

[JimSawhill]

Luca Brasi, on Sep 9 2005, 03:24 PM, said:

There are numerous unused rail lines running out of Hartford (including one that runs under Adriaen's Landing). These can be used with new rails laid on those stupid HOV highway lanes to begin creating somekind of rail commuter system.

     The railroad line under Adriaen's is used by CSO (Connecticut Southern) to service the regional market, the recycling plants and lumber yard in the industrial park AND by P&W (Providence & Wochester) from Middletown carrying Construction wastes. Get an RDC from Manchester or even Vernon to Hartford, and a passenger train from Waterbury. (Maybe call the passenger train -- The Nathan Hale)

JimS

[fivedayrental]

The state is also going to be building a new commuter rail line from New Milford to NYC.

Quote

Commuters from New Milford will be able to take the train straight to New York City within the next 10 years, under a massive state transportation improvement bill approved Wednesday by the House.
Officials say if things go well, construction likely would begin at least five years from now.

"It will be statutory. It wouldn't be an option," said Rep. David Scribner, R-Brookfield, the ranking Republican on the legislature's Transportation Committee, stressing the project will be completed. "There is a renewed realization that we need more promotion of public transportation for the overall economy of the state."

The bill, which passed by a vote of 143-4, would also streamline rail travel for commuters from all of the Danbury area traveling to the Big Apple, by building and electrifying new tracks.

Then, passengers boarding the Danbury line will go straight to Grand Central Station. Now they have to change trains at the South Norwalk Metro-North station, so the Danbury line serves as a shuttle.

http://news.newstime...ocal&Type=Page2

[SOCOM]

fivedayrental, on Apr 27 2006, 08:29 AM, said:

The state is also going to be building a new commuter rail line from New Milford to NYC.
http://news.newstime...ocal&Type=Page2

Also looks like the New Haven-Springfield Commuter line now has legs.

Bill Boosts Rails' Role

$2.3 Billion Package Means More Trains

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING
Capitol Bureau Chief

April 27 2006

Approving one of the year's biggest priorities, the state House of Representatives voted Wednesday for a $2.3 billion, 10-year transportation package that would pay for new railroad stations and more trains around the state.

Once implemented, the comprehensive plan is designed to unclog gridlock on state highways and to generate economic growth as workers find it easier to get to their jobs and truckers move freight more quickly to businesses, lawmakers said.

Legislators congratulated themselves for the bipartisan effort, saying the bill's passage on a significant issue represented the legislature at its best.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who vowed to sign the bill after its expected passage in the Senate, said the state must solve the long-running problem that constantly affects citizens from all walks of life.

continue reading...Hartford Courant

[JimSawhill]

mr2448, on Nov 16 2005, 10:39 PM, said:

I also think that commuter rail could/should be revived on the New Britain/Waterbury line. The Hazardville/Somers line to Springfield could also be reinstituted.

Mark

Mark:

     The Amory Branch is a railroad up to the State Line. Central New England runs a weekly train to the Crop Production fertilizer plant, and Connecticut Southern runs trains daily from East Hartford to East Windsor Hill.
     East Longmeadow made the railroad into a trail -- so I doubt passenger service will return. Maybe from Hazardville - with a RDC.

Jim S

[Phillydog]

mr2448, on Nov 16 2005, 08:39 PM, said:

I also think that commuter rail could/should be revived on the New Britain/Waterbury line. The Hazardville/Somers line to Springfield could also be reinstituted.

Mark

Wow Mark - the Hazardville - Springfield line - that's a very interesting concept!  I think the line is really bad shape?

[mr2448]

Phillydog, on May 6 2006, 07:24 PM, said:

Wow Mark - the Hazardville - Springfield line - that's a very interesting concept!  I think the line is really bad shape?

Much of the track(in Ct.) is still in place and while the Mass. ROW might be a trail, it could always be converted back or have a dual purpose ROW like they have in Portland, Or with their light rail. Yes, the tracks are in disrepair, but a secondary line serving both Hartford and Springfield should be in place.  

Hartford should plan for full commuter rail rather than just the north/south line. That is why the New Britain/Waterbury line needs to also be a priority. It is another access to NYC, Stamford, etc.

Mark

[damus]

mr2448, on May 7 2006, 12:46 PM, said:

Much of the track(in Ct.) is still in place and while the Mass. ROW might be a trail, it could always be converted back or have a dual purpose ROW like they have in Portland, Or with their light rail. Yes, the tracks are in disrepair, but a secondary line serving both Hartford and Springfield should be in place.  

Hartford should plan for full commuter rail rather than just the north/south line. That is why the New Britain/Waterbury line needs to also be a priority. It is another access to NYC, Stamford, etc.

Mark

Does the proposed line run through Wethersfield near the DMV? There was one track that was at grade that ran paralel to the main commercial strip in that area. There are two concerns for me if that's the line. First, they'll need to install additional track so they can run both ways concurrently; secondly, it crosses too many roads and would be a real inconvenience and thus, any additional runs that might be suggested would be shot down. I think a successful commuter line should only cross streets occasionally, if at all.

I'd think a Waterbury/New Britain line would be great and that it should extend to East Hartford's Rentschler Field and the Storrs Uconn campus with other stops here and there (i.e. Manchester)

[blink55184]

Railroad.net has a few great forums


Here are links to a few threads about Hartford and Hartford/Springfield commuter rail

http://www.railroad....rtford commuter


http://www.railroad....rtford commuter


http://www.railroad....rtford commuter


http://www.railroad....rtford commuter



This one is old, but I saw a post from a familiar name...Cotuit

http://www.railroad....rtford commuter

[damus]

http://www.theday.co...7f-d908ea99d5bb

This new focus has its origins in another evolving New England concept, “The Knowledge Corridor,” an economic development strategy tying together the Hartford, Springfield and Northampton area, home to more than 30 public and private colleges and universities. Connecting these dots could create a knowledge-based, economic powerhouse equivalent to the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., metropolitan region.

Connecticut has been scrambling to revamp its transportation policies to address the mounting highway congestion on its interstate and state roads, a situation a planning report warned could deprive the state of benefits from the global economy.

The same transportation problems cross state lines, and require regional attention. The sort of collaboration that is taking place between Massachusetts and Connecticut also is developing between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rhode Island is moving ahead with an ambitious transit plan that will connect Boston metropolitan area mass transit with new rail service to Providence and Green Airport west to North Kingston, not far from Westerly, which is right next door to Connecticut.

[blink55184]

damus, on Jun 4 2006, 09:38 AM, said:

http://www.theday.co...7f-d908ea99d5bb

Yikes...how do newspapers let typos slip in the titles of their articles...ouch  

[damus]

blink55184, on Jun 4 2006, 12:33 PM, said:

Yikes...how do newspapers let typos slip in the titles of their articles...ouch  

And this is the "smart" newspaper around here. It has won several awards for the quality of its work........

[MadVlad]

Once we have a nice little Commuter run through the I-91 corridor, do you guys think that would finally merge the Hartford/Springfield areas in the eyes of the Government (or whoever does those statistics), or is it not even possible?