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Virgin Kelso Cima Grade
Author: Rex Question
Date: 07-05-2020 - 15:31
How is Virgin rail going to avoid the same fate as talgo-dreams, environuts and political paycheck waves from previous 'concepts' in building a service to Las Vegas?
Yes, they have a completed EIR paper to start with.
It's still a new ROW.
Won't they still have to fight "complaints and suits" despite the completed EIR?
What about the idea of extending San Joaquins from Bakersfield to Vegas?
Is there any logic in that route?
I ask these questions after reading the thread that had this post:
Re: Amtrak Pioneer: Amtrak to Vegas
Author: E
Date: 12-12-2006 - 10:39
IIRC, all of this was studied a few years ago, and UP and Amtrak came to an agreement on double tracking the Cima Hill part of this run (Kelso to Cima, which is 2.2% grade), which would prevent Amtrak from having to follow freights struggling up the hill.
About that time, the enviros went into warp drive about what the construction work to add the second track would do to the habitat of the endangered desert tortise and began filing complaints and suits to stop it or delay it endlessly.
Also about that same time, Amtrak ran out of money for such projects, and various studies showed the market just wasn't there in the first place.
Again, this is all IIRC, and could be wrong in some or all parts.
Subject to change without notice, misinterpretations, misconceptions, misunderstandings, rants, jealousies, divorces, unrealistic expectations, fantasies, hope, excessive optimism, pessimism, skepticism and cynicism, lies, unknowns, budget cuts, Murphy's Law, sense of entitlement, and other factors. Your mileage may vary. May cause cancer in rats. There are no guarantees of fitness or suitability for any purpose. Do not try this at home; these are professionals working on a closed course, without a net. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. No checked baggage handled on Sundays or Holidays. Stops on flag only to pick up passengers destined beyond Detroit. Westbound trains are superior to eastbound trains, except runaways. No warranties, expressed or implied.
Yes, they have a completed EIR paper to start with.
It's still a new ROW.
Won't they still have to fight "complaints and suits" despite the completed EIR?
What about the idea of extending San Joaquins from Bakersfield to Vegas?
Is there any logic in that route?
I ask these questions after reading the thread that had this post:
Re: Amtrak Pioneer: Amtrak to Vegas
Author: E
Date: 12-12-2006 - 10:39
IIRC, all of this was studied a few years ago, and UP and Amtrak came to an agreement on double tracking the Cima Hill part of this run (Kelso to Cima, which is 2.2% grade), which would prevent Amtrak from having to follow freights struggling up the hill.
About that time, the enviros went into warp drive about what the construction work to add the second track would do to the habitat of the endangered desert tortise and began filing complaints and suits to stop it or delay it endlessly.
Also about that same time, Amtrak ran out of money for such projects, and various studies showed the market just wasn't there in the first place.
Again, this is all IIRC, and could be wrong in some or all parts.
Subject to change without notice, misinterpretations, misconceptions, misunderstandings, rants, jealousies, divorces, unrealistic expectations, fantasies, hope, excessive optimism, pessimism, skepticism and cynicism, lies, unknowns, budget cuts, Murphy's Law, sense of entitlement, and other factors. Your mileage may vary. May cause cancer in rats. There are no guarantees of fitness or suitability for any purpose. Do not try this at home; these are professionals working on a closed course, without a net. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. No checked baggage handled on Sundays or Holidays. Stops on flag only to pick up passengers destined beyond Detroit. Westbound trains are superior to eastbound trains, except runaways. No warranties, expressed or implied.
Virgin Kelso Cima Grade