pbj123 wrote:I pop in on this site now and again and only post once in a while because sometimes you guys get really personal. To Rail Junkie. You railed at posters about their comments on raising speeds and claimed what they proposed would never happen, listen to the experienced railroaders on this site. I am reminded of numerous post by Dutch Rail Nut, who I really enjoy reading, because he is very knowledgeable. But he posted over and over on threads that Metro North would NEVER allow the Acelas to activate their tilt mechanisms on their railroad, right up to the day before Metro North authorized it.
Moral of the story: when it comes to passenger trains,where politics is as important as anything else in their operation, anything can happen.
Sir I have over 15 years as a professional RR, as both a conductor and engineer. I deal with CSX twice a week on my current assignment. What experience do YOU have in dealing with CSX? Ill tell you their mentality. We manage you labor, don't like how we run our plantation then go away. Stub your toe and your fired or in the case of guest RR employees your banned. That's were the fun begins OOS insurance will cover you while your OOS but it wont cover you while your banned. Until just recently if you got in trouble with CSX in Albany you couldn't work. Period. They don't want us out there they don't care how late we become follow a 30mph train for 150 miles so be it. See that good southern mentality.
This is why I state the possibility of HSR on the Mohawk is a true pipe dream. The state dosent have the monies let alone the Fed. CSX isn't going to give up there control of THEIR unused portion of THEIR right of way CHEAPLY. With the amount of tonnage and trains CSX currently moves they themselves may want to invest in some new mainline trackage to help make the RR more fluid.
Ive heard about this garbage since the mid 80s and it hasn't happened yet, 125mph trains on the Hudson happened once and it was a test train. Lets just say for instance we get this magical RR built the premium service is going to price Amtrak way over what most central New Yorkers can afford for travel. How are we going to handle the right hand turn to Buffalo Exchange St NFL and on into Canada. How about the Lake Shore Limited. Are we talking cross platform in Albany and Buffalo or are we going to build yet ANOTHER dual mode locomotive. What happens when 150+ year old LAB bridge finally gives up? All the wire in the world cant help you get into or out of Albany with out that bridge.
Lets take care of other problems in this state before we worry about HSR.
Wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which fills up first
If you don't like what like what I have to say don't read it. If you take this a personal attack ohh well. Freedom of speech was given to us by our forefathers and many have died to protect it.