Amtrak Southwest Chief Discussion

[east point]

read that Senate passed Amtrak house potion 94-3 as well as the OTP amendment.

[John_Perkowski]

If it’s the 18 bill, it will soon be a moot point.

[gokeefe]

Not if we go into continuing resolution ... Then the '18 funding carries forward ...

[Backshophoss]

In a quietly released News release from Senator Udall's Office,Amtrak will continue to run the SW Chief "as is" till Sept 2019,
this was from Amtrak's COO Scot Naparstek during Senate Commerce Committee Hearings last Wed.
The 2019 Fiscal year ends in Sept,for the planned split ops with a Bus Bridge between Dodge City Ks -ABQ NM has been put on hold for now.
That Bus Bridge would have started on 01/01/19.
Talks are still ongoing to work out a final plan for future funding along the route with all states towns and counties involved.

[Jeff Smith]

Resistance is futile?: http://www.lajuntatribunedemocrat.com/n ... provements

...
“Amtrak this year informed the partners that it is withholding its matching funds for the recent Tiger and CRISI grants until a comprehensive funding plan and firm financial commitments are received for an estimated $50 million in costs for track and signal improvements in New Mexico,” the report continued.

“But the state and local partners cannot meet this requirement. The partners have maintained that the highly successful federal grant process is a suitable plan. The delay is leading to scheduling problems for the trackwork anticipated in Tiger 9. It has also prevented the coalition from applying for a grant from the BUILD program (the new equivalent of TIGER) in 2018. Amtrak’s match for the Tiger 9 grant is $3 million.

“The U.S. Congress has not been happy about Amtrak’s position on the Tiger 9 grant match or the bus substitution plan. On May 31, 2018, the six U.S. senators from the three states, plus many of the relevant U.S. representatives, sent a letter to Amtrak strongly objecting to the move.

“Then, in August, the Senate passed an amendment to a House funding measure directing Amtrak to use $50 million of its current, record size appropriation for the maintenance and safety improvements it claims are needed in New Mexico. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Amtrak told Congress at an October Senate hearing that it plans to maintain rail service as-is through fiscal year 2019. However, the matching funds are still being withheld while the partners negotiate.”

[Backshophoss]

Suzanna left the roundhouse on 12/31,new governor and new roundhouse critters sworn in 01/01/19,should have a better time getting the state(NM)
to get involved.

[mtuandrew]

This is hitting a cockroach with a sledgehammer, but in the wake of the failure to move to the Southern Transcon, has there ever been consideration of sending the Southwest Chief to Wichita via Newton, then back northwest to Hutchinson via the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad?

[Backshophoss]

That seems like a "Backwater reroute" at best. Waay too much 10-25 mph trackage.

As a "Last laugh" on Anderson's SWC " bus bridge" idea,from a story dated 01/29,on trains "newswire"
The cost of the bus bridge would be double the cost of the train and a $116 million cost to the local economy in Co, Ks, and NM
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