http://www.njherald.com/story/news/17Rail

Hey, its a step forward...for once!

As it used to be. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DiN_qFW ... re=related

Now I've got to get another Herndon movie. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrOHCwodHu4

Not the Lackawanna proper, but a familiar subject on this page:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsGyyuia ... er&list=UL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DobDWzQn ... er&list=UL

Enjoy.

Is the viaduct in the first video part of the rebuilt ROW?

Funny but this project might be killed real soon since the ruling congress wants to cut all rail funding, again. These guys really ought to be run out of town on a rail. Their love for big oil is what is killing this country. I understand that we need to trim the budget so I ask them to just give rail projects the same amount of money the highway system and airports gets each year. It is good that the local politician recognizes the need for commuter rail.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Oh Goodie! Lets discuss politics. This should be fun.....

Hello Friends,

First thing is this is mostly a commuter rail story although I know it is about the restoration of rail service.

Second and most importantly there are hundreds, maybe thousands of places to talk politics on the internet but only one RYPN. Please save political discussions for those other places.

Thanks,

Tom Gears
Moderator

There are at least 3, if not more, preservation-oriented positives that will come out of this project (leaving aside benefits to the community, politics or what have you):

1) The viaducts will get some much needed attention. Hopefully, at minimum there will be a spalling abatement program. At best, we can hope for a full restoration of both.

2) The right of way will not be a trail. Given it's eventual connection to Scranton, we can all hope that someday instead of bike tires one might find the tires of a B&M Pacific burnishing the rails... or even a recreated Lake Cities making the run from Hoboken to Scranton.

3) The tunnel will get needed attention. Hard to have trains running if it isn't maintained.

All in all, two of the most impressive rail bridges in NJ (well, one is half in NJ) and one of the most significant from an engineering perspective will be restored. The question is, will there be ways to interpret as more than just another commuter train route? I believe there will.

The DL&W from Port Morris to Binghamton had MANY relics survive way beyond what other mainlines of similar age and varied usage have. Even though the NYS&W and CPR eradicated a lot between Scranton and Bingo, the whole corridor offers many depots, magnificent bridges, wayside signals ripe for new and/or continued preservation.

When done, the route will be rich in tangible evidence of the DL&W's glory days... if for no other reason than that they need the massive fills and bridges to be able to run the trains.


Rob



These are the immediate benefits in my mind, outside of the bigger picture stuff.

Rob

The news article talks about a lot of things, but this project will only restore about 7 miles of track between Port Morris and Andover, with a park and ride station being built east of Andover just off U.S. Route 206. So while Roseville Tunnel will see new track, unfortunately those viaducts will continue to deteriorate for the foreseeable future.

May we live long enough to ride an ELDCPS trip over the length of the Cutoff!

Walt Lankenau

Indeed, Walt... there is a long way to go. It is nice to see some progress narrowing the gap. Rob

This was not intended to start a politcal conversation, which as we all know is two opposing sides discussing their ideas that are not necessarily based in fact. Part of my comment was indeed based in fact because it is already widely known that all railroad funding is in the sights of the budget ax.

The other part was intended as a pun "ride them out of town on a rail."

So guys you really need to lighten up. I can't wait until the first of April to see all of the comments then!

Later!
mr. Ed

No.

First, your supposed "facts" are in error. There has been, as typical, a proposal to zero out all Amtrak funding in the budget, but as multiple past efforts to do so over thirty years have demonstrated, that's about as likely to actually happen as us adding Madagascar or Greenland as a state.

Further, I have heard nothing about any proposal to eliminate all state commuter rail and transit subsidies. NJ Transit and this project fall under that category, not Amtrak. (Yes, this project is being pitched as a way to restore inter-city service to Scranton. I would wager big money I won't live long enough to see that.)

Second, virtually all of the second paragraph of your first post on this topic is political opinion, not a reiteration of "facts." That's what we try to avoid here (and by and large succeed at). There are too many websites constructed merely as echo chambers of like-minded political thought out there for one to go and rant at and proclaim "facts" selected to your liking, and even a scant few that actually encourage political debate and discussion; we don't need more of that here.

Sure Al. Whatever!

Later!
Mr. Ed

I understand Ed's comments perfectly. I have seen the many studies that have come and gone over the years since the cutoff was pulled up. I am elated that a portion may be put back into service. I had the pleasure of riding over this line on the Phoebe Snow as a teenager many years ago. I also had the pleasure of riding over this line behind NKP 759 on a couple of fantrips thanks to Ross Rowland and the High Iron Company.

I rarely post anymore as it seems that we have some people that seem to know everything about everything and it gets tiresome at times.

Amen, Ron.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Double Amen!

I have heard from those old enough to enjoy it (I was 5 or 6) that the runs of #759 across the Cut Off were some of the most impressive of the preservation era, especially one high speed back east at night (was this the return of one of the "viaduct tours?")

And it is worthy to note, that we cannot discuss preservation (and utilization) of any of the DL&W between Hoboken and Bingo without politics being a legit part of the conversation, as the State of NY operates the east end and holds the keys to the Cut Off. On the PA side, if it wasn't for regional rail authorities, we might not have the current freight service nor the support for passenger service to Scranton. And, of course, the Scranton to Bingo route was bailed out by Conrail and then became part of the D&H (which drew upon heavy subsidies multiple times) before finally falling under the CPR banner.

I am *not* suggesting RYPN is a place to argue partisan politics, but it is a place where the rational, factual discussion of such is legit.

With the anti-spending sentiment on anything that helps the average Joe, you can bet many rail projects (and sources of preservation funding) are in jeopardy. Your personal piccadillos on such topics may not be appropriate here, but the reality of the decisions certainly is.

Rob

From the Courier Post this morning: The proposed bill includes 2.5 billion dollar cut to high speed rail. Not political, just reporting the news for those that don't get the Courier Post. Is that OK Al?

Later!
Mr. Ed