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Topic: Allentown-Newark? (Read 88 times) |
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rwk
Historian
Posts: 644
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I heard that NJT might extend the RVL back to Pburg then on to Allentown using NS rails. I don't know how NJT will negotiate with NS for trackage rights over its very busy Lehigh Line between Bloomsbury, Pburg, and Allentown. The station stops in Easton and Bethlehem will most likely be the ex-LV stations, and in Allentown who knows, only possible spot would be the location between Union St. crossing and Hamilton St. bridge where the LV station used to be until the mid 60's, it was also the stop for Conrail/SEPTA Philly commuter trains in 1978-1979.
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FFW-1
Moderator
Historian
Posts: 1798
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You have a better chance of seeing the Polar Express with the Easter Bunny behind the throttle of #425 and Santa as the Conductor as it pulls a train of bi-levels to Allentown.
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"I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
Although I'm feeling mighty sick
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me to my ship"
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SecretWeapon
Chaser
Posts: 87
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P'burg is in the talks. Nothing about Allentown. NS & NJT have a good relationship.
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Ashley_John
Railfan
Posts: 180
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Norfolk Southern: Bringing passenger rail to the Lehigh Valley will come with a price
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By SARAH CASSI
The Express-Times
HANOVER TWP. | Norfolk Southern is warning advocates of bringing passenger rail to the Lehigh Valley that there are conditions and a price to using the railroad's right of way.
The possibility of passenger rail in the Valley is still in the early study phases, but transportation officials said Monday at a meeting of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study that there are two rail lines that could be used if the project moves forward.
A line north of the Lehigh River is owned by Central Railroad of New Jersey, and a rail line south of the Lehigh River is owned by Norfolk Southern.
In a form letter addressed to "Planners of Passenger Train Projects," Norfolk Southern states it welcomes the opportunity to work with officials on offering passenger rail services on its tracks.
"We look forward to moving your projects forward as long as they remain realistic and include our concerns," the letter states.
Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said the letter allows the company to be completely upfront about its parameters for any discussions about passenger rail.
That includes the cost of using the railroad companies' tracks.
"Please don't assume that the use of our capacity and our asset is 'free,'" the letter says.
Company: Don't count on using Amtrak model
The company advises that agencies and organizations shouldn't count on the incremental costs Amtrak pays to use privately owned freight railroad tracks.
"We will require operators of new passenger train service to negotiate market-based operating agreements with us," the letter states.
Husband said it's natural for people working on passenger rail projects to look at Amtrak as a model, but "Amtrak does not pay the full cost of using freight railroads."
Asked if there was a model the company could point to people, Husband said he couldn't because "each concept has its own set of unique variables."
That includes the number of passenger trains expected and whether the service would be express or require a number of stations, Husband said.
"Without knowing specifically what the passenger group wants to accomplish, I don't know how you could answer that question," Husband said.
Norfolk Southern has existing passenger rail agreements, including tracks in North Carolina , Virginia , upstate New York and New Jersey , Husband said.
Letter: Freight train delays unacceptable
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. has begun a $250,000 study on connecting New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line into the Lehigh Valley .
The six-month study will look at infrastructure requirements, feasibility, routes, parking and other requirements.
Norfolk Southern's letter also says delays to freight trains by passenger trains are unacceptable.
"It's clear their first goal is moving freight," Gerald Fry, assistant district executive for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said during Monday's meeting at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission office in Lehigh County .
The company acknowledges the list of concerns is like getting the caboose before the train.
"Until dedicated sources of funding are identified, we view them as conceptual," Husband said, referring to passenger rail plans.
Joe Gurinko, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's chief transportation planner, said a few years ago if officials asked railroad companies about passenger rail, they would have been sent away.
"Now that's not the case," Gurinko said. "It's possible, but it's not necessarily easy."
Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at scassi@express-times.com.
©2009 The Express-Times
© 2009 lehighvalleylive.com All Rights Reserved.
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Riding the rails of the past via media and exploration.
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FFW-1
Moderator
Historian
Posts: 1798
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Yeah, with all those stipulations, the Lackawanna Cut Off will get rebuilt before this happens.
RAH
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"I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
Although I'm feeling mighty sick
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me to my ship"
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