South Shore Expansion Dead?

It seems that the legislature has at least one person in power that doesn't buy the hype about the south shore expansion and has had the project shelved, at least for now.
What does this mean to us? Well at first glance it means that cooler heads can take a look at the plan and the funding mechanisms involved to consider the effects on the region and the state.
On the other hand it allows the lords and ladies of the region to continue to work on getting their fingers in the pie making demands for their own feifdoms, regardless of merit, that may ultimately doom the project.
It will also allow the people of the region a chance to voice their opinion to the "talking heads" in the (probably vain) hope that we will be listened to.
If this is going to happen, we should demand that it be built with the most modern, flexible, system possible; not technoligically ancient systems prone to breakdown. What the heck am I talking about? What are called DMU railcars. For more information see Colorado Railcar's website.
We need forward thinking, not backward living.

CN's purchase of EJE

Railway Age magazine has an article this month about the Canadian National Railroad. Featured prominently in the article is a discussion of the purchase of the EJ&E and the reasoning behind it. An excerpt of the article is available online at Railway Age but you must subscribe to the magazine for the full article.
What affect, if any will this have on Hammond? If there are no negative effects on Hammond we should be supporting this merger as good for the region; after all, when, in recent history, has a multinational company decided to invest in Gary? This alone would be a net positive for the region. Will some communities be negatively impacted? Yes, but rather than act like C.A.V.E. people maybe they should talk to the railroad and work together on minimizing the impact. There are things that can be done if they are willing to work with the railroad; but the railroad will be less likely to respond to threats and demands.
Take some time and research quiet zones; this would help reduce the noise at crossings, but requires the communities willing participation.
And, although they are expensive overpasses and viaducts can frequently be used to close crossings thus avoiding delays caused by trains.

Things are heating up

Sorry for the long break, I was sick with the flu (and managed to survive without a city health department).
A little birdy tells me that the Indiana Harbor Belt is testing a new locomitive of the type that I previously suggested. I know better than to try to claim credit, but it is a validation of my suggestion. Now we need to work on getting some interest in a quiet zone....
The South Shore expansion debate is heating up downstate with the representatives from "da region" doing what they always do; fighting amongst themselves to see who can doom the project with the most outrageous extortion demands. Mayor McDermott seems to have prevailed in getting a "gateway station" in Hammond by working behind the scenes with legislators, not by having a tantrum in the papers like other so-called leaders.....
Do I support the expansion? I really don't know. If the expanded lines will use the same 1900's technology as the existing lines, then no. If they decide to use new technology then maybe. Not having to build all the overhead power lines will save millions in construction costs. And DMU transit cars would allow greater routing flexibility in the event of trouble on the normal tracks. A larger question than the construction funding is the operating costs. Most transit lines, in the U.S., only recover about 30% through the fare box; and they are considered wildly successful if they recover 60%. Where will the operating funds come from? Look what is happening across the state line with the Chicago RTA.