American rail travelers couldn't have been more heartened last week by the announcement that President Barack Obama's budget included in the stimulus program $8 billion for the development of a high-speed rail network as well as a $5 billion rail grant program for the states.
Rail News
March 19, 2009: The News & Advance "State anticipates 51,000 riders for Amtrak’s Lynchburg expansion"
Submitted by VHSR on March 19, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsIf all goes as planned, two new Amtrak trains will start service in Lynchburg on Oct. 1and in Richmond on Dec. 15.
The state rail agency anticipates that 51,000 travelers a year will use the Lynchburg service and 42,000 passengers a year will take advantage of the new Richmond train, which will originate at the Staples Mill Station.
While firm schedules and fares have yet to be worked out, the Lynchburg train will leave the Kemper Street Station about 7:45 a.m. and reach Union Station 11:20-11:30 a.m., the department said, and depart Washington about 5 p.m. and return to Lynchburg at about 8:30 p.m.
March 17, 2009: USA Today "$8 billion could help revive travel by train"
Submitted by VHSR on March 17, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsAmericans started falling out of love with trains 50 years ago, when thrilling silver airliners left locomotives far behind.
Now, President Obama and leaders in more than 30 states say it's time to embrace trains again — but newer, faster ones that can transport passengers past gridlocked airports and highways on electrified railroads at up to 200 mph.
March 12, 2009 The Daily Press "Va. Beach acquires old Norfolk Southern line"
Submitted by VHSR on March 12, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsVirginia Beach has acquired a 10.6-mile rail line from Norfolk Southern for $40 million.
The line would link Norfolk and Virginia Beach if a proposed light rail is built.
Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms announced the purchase of the line Thursday.
Funding for the purchase came from a $20 million state grant, $10 million from the city and $5 million from Hampton Roads Transit. The remaining $5 million will come from easement payments.
March 9, 2009: The Washington Post "Public Transit Ridership Rises To Highest Level in 52 Years"
Submitted by VHSR on March 9, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsDespite job losses and falling gasoline prices, record numbers of Americans rode subways, buses and commuter rail last year, boosting public transportation ridership to its highest level in 52 years, according to a survey to be released today by the American Public Transportation Association.
Advocates say the ridership figures show growing support for public transportation. They hope to use that support to push for federal funding beyond the $8.4 billion in stimulus money set aside for transit. More investment in transit not only helps the economy, advocacy groups say, but also helps the environment and fosters energy independence.
March 9, 2009: Huffington Post "Railway Carriage Charm: Has High-Speed Rail's Moment Arrived?"
Submitted by VHSR on March 9, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsSeveral days ago I made the trip from DC to New York and back via Amtrak's Acela Express, my mode of choice for the last decade or so. It's less expensive than the air shuttles, much more comfortable, much less stressful, and almost as time-efficient. Heck, it's more time-efficient if I'm working en route, since it's much easier to work on the train than on the plane or in the airport waiting lounge. Like the air shuttles, the express train leaves hourly (and there are also slightly slower trains leaving in between the Acela's departures.)
March 8, 2009: The Baltimore Sun "Radical high-speed trains briefly brightened the Depression"
Submitted by VHSR on March 8, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsMarch 7, 2009: The News Leader "Deeds talks economy, transportation"
Submitted by VHSR on March 7, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsVirginia needs to be on the cutting edge of job creation, said Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Hot Springs, and that’s through transportation and alternative energy research.
“We are all in this together,” he said. “We are in the worst financial crisis we’ve seen in a while and we need to make tough decisions. We have to have statewide commitment.”
The senator was on a campaign stop at Blue Mountain Coffee downtown on Friday as he seeks the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nomination.
March 6, 2009: The Virginian-Pilot "Va. Beach to get $20M from state to buy possible light-rail line"
Submitted by VHSR on March 6, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsThe city is about to receive a $20 million state grant to help buy the old Norfolk Southern rail line right of way, which long has been coveted for light rail.
The money means the city will have the $40 million the railroad wants for the land. A deal for the 66-foot-wide corridor is expected to be announced next week.
The 10.6-mile rail line, an extension of the Norfolk Tide route that's under construction in Norfolk, runs east and west across the Beach from Newtown Road to Birdneck Road. If light rail is built, stops along the way could link Norfolk to Town Center and the resort area.
March 5, 2009: The Roanoke Times "McAuliffe, area business leaders meet"
Submitted by VHSR on March 5, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsNearly a dozen of the Roanoke Valley's business leaders met with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday to pitch ideas to fix the state's economy.
"We've got to think outside the box," McAuliffe said as he repeated one of his campaign's main themes. "We need some big ideas."
The meeting was his eighth state "roundtable" to collect ideas that will eventually become his economic platform, to be unveiled in the next two weeks. He's previously met with regional representatives in Norfolk, Martinsville, Harrisonburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Lebanon and Hampton.
March 4, 2009: ABC13 "Local Lawmakers Reflections on Session"
Submitted by VHSR on March 4, 2009 - 3:00am. Rail NewsVirginia's delegates and senators are settling back in their homes this week. The General Assembly session ended this weekend. We caught up with Lynchburg's representatives and they say of course the state's budget took center stage this year. Delegate Shannon Valentine and Senator Stephen Newman both agree the budget will probably be even more of an issue in years to come.
