Absolutely, that’s why I think they should make the Vermonter an electrified high speed line all the way from New Haven to Montreal.

Only issue is at that point, we need a multi-state coalition thing, because I don’t know how keen Vermont is to listen to some jackass from the Springfield metropolitan area lol.

Still fairly recently then, alright thank you, I’ll keep that in mind.

Was this fairly recently if you don’t mind me asking? I suddenly am involved in rail advocacy in the region and I want to make the Brattleboro to Springfield route much faster than it currently is

100% the north south from Springfield all the way up to Brattleboro need to be rebuilt. The line should be seen as part of the Northern New England High Speed Rail corridor and Upgrades as such all the way to Montreal. The MassDOT did rebuild the track a while back, but it’s mostly single track and I think it was a bit of an oversight to not double track it. It should be 125 mph at least or 150 mph ideally double track all the way through New Haven (since that’s on the same line) and to Montreal.

North Adams actually may get trains in well a decade at this pace tbh lol. The state finished the Northern Tier Rail Study recently and it’s calling for 5 trains a day with North Adams as the terminus. I think it’s a great idea, it won’t be a dedicated high speed rail line, but if done properly the first time, should be a great way of getting around. I’d ultimately like to see it link up to Albany as well, I am not too sure on the feasibility of it.

Currently there is one train east and one train west for Springfield and Pittsfield, the current preferred alternatives by the DOT list 8 trains a day along the route for alt 3 while the other 2 call for 10 trains a day

Edit: currently the train is also slower on the route between Boston and Springfield than trains in 1922.

Very. It appears a pretty big staircase I’m sizing up to make a case for a proper rail service.

Welcome to politics I suppose, it’s really annoying

That’s the plan. Dual mode multiple unit trains like Stadler FLIRTs and just run diesel west of Springfield since CSX wants to be a little bitch about electrification on that part of the track. An electrified Inland high speed corridor would do wonders for the state.

Edit: plan I’d like to suggest***

Exactly my thought, and it’s at a senior center. The 6pm one at least is at my current stomping ground of STCC, so I have home field advantage!

Certainly did a couple years ago, delayed the study. I don’t know about modern day though. Here’s a MassLive article about it.

I will also be at one of them, Ill be pushing the subject of electrification and dual mode multiple units, might as well do it right the first time instead of kneecapping it and then spending a lot more to fix it later on.

You know, I want to argue, but I know you’re right at the same time. At the very least, they have a hard deadline to apply for an FRA grant for the rail, so maybe this time will be different? Probably not, I’m just trying to be optimistic.

Coherent Nufern (Now Coherent Corporation) and OFS Fitel.

Alright, fair enough. I’m more on the production end of optics, so I stand corrected.

Honestly the telecoms I don’t know why we don’t do that at least. CT has two major fiber optics production facilities that can probably crank out a load of fiber optics a day since it’s pretty easy fiber by comparison to active fiber. We should do that and in the process, just switch to locally made fiber.

The person who said problem areas though for power lines, right idea imo.

You will not be ticketing me today, Springfield!!

Springfield needs better economic opportunities and a clear set of goals of how to improve on the city and lessen its woes. Definitely good bones, but there is much more that needs to be done. Good community colleges and local universities that do want well for the community as well. I think those should be leveraged among other things to make it a regional powerhouse.