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.