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Ohio’s rail plan goes off tracks in overall logistics
Published Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The romance of rail carries a powerful allure for many Americans, so it's easy to see why the prospect of a passenger train system linking Ohio cities and beyond would create excitement. But romance can't sweep away gritty facts that don't appear to add up about Ohio's proposed 256-mile, six-stop, three-train-a-day "3C" passenger line from Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland, which received a $400 million federal funding boost in late January. ...
With an average speed of 39 mph and a timetable that makes it all but unusable for business travelers and sports fans, this is not the high-speed, high-tech network that Washington is pitching to the American public.
It is not even like Amtrak's existing Boston-to-Washington passenger line that can hit 150 mph (but averages 77 between major cities).
Solid reasons exist for supporting a passenger train service. ...
But with speed, schedule and station limitations, it's hard to imagine it gaining a following among the business people on which such a service's ridership would depend. It could take 6 1/2 hours from Cincinnati to Cleveland, plus time to and from destinations in both cities. Driving directly could take half the time and possibly cost less in gas; some studies suggest cars can be more energy-efficient than trains for intercity travel. ..
The Cincinnati Enquirer,
Feb. 19
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Comments
Posted by Country (anonymous) on February 24, 2010 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If it would be high speed then it could be an asset. The way this article spells it out this is a waste of time and money. Much has been made about the Vice President riding the train. If it took him that long he sure wouldn't. A Greyhound bus would get there faster.
Using $400 million for slow speed is a waste that will only cost people more to run it in the future.
Posted by jonferguson (anonymous) on February 24, 2010 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have to start somewhere. People didn't start making cars that got 30 mpg right away either. It takes time to build a and mold a product into something good. I don't know though....seems sort of wasteful.
Posted by mickakers (John Michael Akers) on February 24, 2010 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Country & jonferguson; My respect and admiration for both of your comments. After forty two years of railroad service, believe me, I do know the truth of the matter. This country's ineptitude in solving the problem of our national transportation problem is unbelievable and irresponsible.
Posted by Country (anonymous) on February 24, 2010 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mickakers Can high speed rail be a reality in Ohio? Or what might a speed be?
I know they are suppose to be making the rail traffic in certain areas to be able to handle double stack cars.
I remember this was mentioned when Cincinnati put in a bid for the summer Olympics to link up the cities for high speed rail. At the time it would take they would be better off putting casino's on the trains to give people something to do on their long trips.
Posted by jonferguson (anonymous) on February 25, 2010 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many historians will tell you that this country missed the "boat" when they gave up on rail travel. High speed rail should be the next "interstate highway" system. Connect the whole country. Another "New deal" project to boost the economy, as well as connect people to the rest of the country. How about living in Lawrence County, with a 4 hour commute to NYC for work? it could be done. I hate it that we lag behind other countries on those type of infrastructure capabilities.
Same with our electric grid. Sure would be nice for it to be updated. So many inefficiencies. We're living off of a (at least) 60 year old infrastructure that was meant to have a life of roughly 50 years. LOTS of updates are necessary. Just hard to convince the public of it during recession times. But what an economic boost it would be. Create jobs, and give those tax dollars right back to the people who paid them in the form of wages. New skills learned, new services available....etc....sounds good to me.
Posted by mickakers (John Michael Akers) on February 25, 2010 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Country; High speed rail in Ohio and across the country is a viable possibility and should be a priority. The speed could be from 100 mph to a little over 200 mph to begin with. There are all types of options from Express trains (with few stops) to those that stop at all stations (Whistle stops) as we used to call them. The type of service is unlimited, from cross country to intercity, from first class cabin with private bath and bed, to coach, from taking your automobile along with you (Auto Carriers) on the rear end of trains. It took fifty years to complete the Interstate highway system, we don't have to do this overnight. Do a search on Federal Railroad Administration also read the articles posted here in the Tribune, Critics Right To Question Train System, by: Tribune Editorial Board and Passenger Rail Raises Many Questions, by: Sen. John A. Carey. I think your Gov. Ted Strickland is on the right TRACK.
Posted by mickakers (John Michael Akers) on February 25, 2010 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a PS: jonferguson's last post pertaining to "electric grid" made me think of it, and by the way jon, good post! Railroad engines can be powered by Electricity rather than Diesel fuel, another plus.
Posted by mikehaney (anonymous) on February 26, 2010 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The ball was dropped . Back in 1970 I rode a train from cincinnatti to Ironton coming back from Vietnam. Never thought I'd be reading about passenger rail service 40 years later!
And by the way, I checked into car/passenger service from Ashland to anywhere in Florida just for the fun of it. No conclusions.
Also,worked with a man who several summers took his grand children on a train thru Canada just for the adventure of it. Always wanted to do that.
If trains could get schedules,convenience and speed right; trains could compete with the airlines.
And maybe no body scanners. Terrorist on board? Just throw him/her out the window.
Posted by mikehaney (anonymous) on February 26, 2010 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jonferguson/mickakers keep talking, you have some good thoughts going on rail passenger service.
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