Railroad Forums
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We have answers to your questions regarding updates for the design and construction of the additional train stations on the Hartford Line. They are as follows:I'm glad they responded! Now let's compare this to the improvements map on the NHHS Rail Program website, taking COVID into account.
Windsor - The current station is being modified to have level boarding (commonly referred to as high level platforms). Construction will begin in September (yes as early as next week) with O&G as the general contractor.
Windsor Locks - The station is in the final stages of design and environmental permitting and is scheduled to be in construction about this time next year.
North Haven - Design is progressing and will be substantially completed in late 2021 with permitting to follow.
West Hartford - Design is at 60%.
Newington and Enfield - Designs are progressing.
Bruce A. Olmstead, PE with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, provided the above information.
njtmnrrbuff wrote: ↑Sat Aug 29, 2020 3:18 pm Yes, now many Amtrak trains that run up the Springfield Line stop at State St Station in New Haven and this is great, if you have things to take care of downtown. This station, I believe, is closer to Yale then New Haven Union Station.I agree with all your points!
The Hartford Viaduct won't be around forever. Eventually, the right of way and station will be in a trench, I think. It would be great to have the viaduct fixed so that way, it can last forever but I wouldn't count on that. The second track at Hartford Station should have never been torn up in the first place.
I agree that the speed restrictions should be eliminated through Wallingford and Meriden. It's not like there are very sharp curves through those stations anyway. Even if they had between 60-70 mph speeds, that would probably not be too bad.
By the end of this year, we will know what will replace the Amfleets and P42s that operate on state supported routes in the Northeast. This includes the Springfield Line. Whatever Amtrak decides to order-acceleration will be better than that of a Genesis locomotive. A Genesis pulling a two to three car Amfleet set is a waste of horsepower. Even with that, the acceleration still isn't good.
Let's not get our hopes up just yet about electrifying the Springfield Line. Improving the existing right of way by eliminating as many parts of single track are a must. Maybe in the short term, the SPG Line will be double tracked through Enfield. The Connecticut River bridge may have to a while but it would be great if it was double tracked soon.