Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 55

Thread: A train station Will Rogers would love

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    4,643

    A train station Will Rogers would love

    The cowboy comedian, Will Rogers, did a routine about a fellow who was asked for directions to a particular location. After contemplating the problem he announced "You can't get there from here." Yesterday, we were treated to the report of our experts on the proposed location of a new train station. Much to the surprise of no one who has followed such things in western NY, the cost estimate was close to double that originally anticipated. But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west. There's no tracks. I guess that it should come as a surprise to no one that this comedy of errors was overseen by a professor from UB. Even though cost estimates were much higher than anticipated one has to expect that the cost will, in fact, be higher still by the time it's done due to the usual Democratic bid rigging and union featherbedding through project labor agreements. If this group had designed the thruway we'd have to drive to Erie in order to get to Syracuse. Ever wonder why people nationwide laugh at Buffalo?

  2. #2
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    Totally agree with you. Projects are not done in the community's best interest. They are done in the best interest of the connected politicians and developers at our expense.


    Cost estimates favor downtown train station over Central Terminal


    Central Terminal supporters made up the majority of an overflow crowd at Tuesday's public meeting on where to put a new Buffalo train station.

    Many didn't like what they heard.

    The cost of putting the station at the East Side landmark was estimated at between $68 million and $149 million, compared to between $34 million and $86 million to put a station downtown, according to an engineering consultant hired by the state Department of Transportation.

    The range of costs was for accommodating current train service; service also including long-distance trains; adding local buses; and also adding inter-city carriers. Each came with its own engineering and architectural challenges.
    http://buffalonews.com/2017/03/21/do...ns-upper-hand/



    But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west. There's no tracks. I guess that it should come as a surprise to no one that this comedy of errors was overseen by a professor from UB.


    At least from the terminal I see tracks or track beds that might be able to be reused.

    Think if you are a developer and have an idea where tracks could be built if the station was downtown. You could go and buy up a lot of run down homes where tracks could go. CHA CHING!!!!



    If you follow the tracks up to Broadway to the CSX Transportation Frontier Yard a restaurant used to be there. I worked at the restaurant between the age of 14 to 18. I started off as a dishwasher, floor cleaner, soda machine reloader, up to potato peeler, then short order cook then dinner preparation for the following day. I made 1000's of eggs, burgers, sandwiches, 100's of pounds of home fries, salads and what ever was being served. I think they finally closed that part of the building down years ago.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,195
    As someone who frequently travels by train on the East coast, the smart move is to put the station close to downtown, near busniesses and offices. However there are some other factors. Ease of access, parking availability just to name a few that are just as important.

    You can not look at this strictly from a cost perspective. If it takes twice as long to get to a downtown train station, and cost twice as much to park, then you are really turning people off.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    4,643
    WNY, the article in the snooze said that trains can't leave westbound from the two proposed locations. This was readily acknowledged by the planners.

  5. #5
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    Jeff,

    What do you think of using the Central Terminal for the location? Remember there will be a much higher cost to rehab the building but it is a piece of history. Maybe not though. People could buy up property where the station downtown could be built and sell it for a pretty penny.

  6. #6
    Member leftWNYbecauseofBS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    10,873
    Quote Originally Posted by grump View Post
    But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west.
    This is false.

    Trains can head from the CT without issue. They can also head west from DT but would have to back out rather than going through. It's just a matter of getting approval from Amtrak to back trains out. Which was once done here and is done in other parts of the US currently.



    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff View Post
    As someone who frequently travels by train on the East coast, the smart move is to put the station close to downtown, near businesses and offices.
    I think the goal should be near tourism rather than business because if we're being honest...it's tourism that will drive the growth. Sabres, Canal Side Concerts, Casino...eventually the Bills. That is what people are going to come in for. These activities are tolerant of the horrible Amtrak times. Business...not sure I'd buy that stock personally.

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff View Post
    However there are some other factors. Ease of access, parking availability just to name a few that are just as important.
    Not 100% sure there is anything in Buffalo that can not be defined as easy to access...if compared to a large city. Also not sure parking is a real issue.

    NYS pulling its head out of its ass and allowing ride sharing removes any parking issue.


    Quote Originally Posted by grump View Post
    You can not look at this strictly from a cost perspective. If it takes twice as long to get to a downtown train station, and cost twice as much to park, then you are really turning people off.
    Here is the thing. You're looking at it wrong I feel.

    It's not about getting people out of Buffalo. It's about bringing them in. Bring people in from the west (Toronto) and the east (Rochester/Syracuse) to spend time ($$$) in Buffalo.

    There is not a single dedicated parking space for the San Diego Amtrak station. The Amtrak station is right in downtown by the water. It's more about getting people to not from.

  7. #7
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    Quote Originally Posted by grump View Post
    WNY, the article in the snooze said that trains can't leave westbound from the two proposed locations. This was readily acknowledged by the planners.
    Get new planners. Come on now. Don't pick locations at the start that don't meet some minimum qualifications to be a train station


    How will they justify creating a new track infrastructure when it looks like the basic track bed is at the Central Terminal.

  8. #8
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    Location, location, location..

    Too bad the Central Terminal wasn't closer to downtown buffalo. Would make for a cool entrance to a train station convention center football stadium visitor center. Yeah that's it...

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,195
    Quote Originally Posted by WNYresident View Post
    Jeff,

    What do you think of using the Central Terminal for the location? Remember there will be a much higher cost to rehab the building but it is a piece of history. Maybe not though. People could buy up property where the station downtown could be built and sell it for a pretty penny.
    Again, cost is not the issue. The success of the location is more important. Honestly, I love the GCT. It is an amazing building that I hope is able to be saved and restored for future people to enjoy. But if I still have to take a 30 min cab ride downtown from the train station, its just not that convenient. it either needs to be downtown, or there needs to be a connection to downtown in the form of train or free/cheap light rail.

  10. #10
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    understandable.

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    4,643
    Leftie, the article in the News was quite clear about the fact that trains can't go west from the downtown locations. They have to go east, turn around and come back. This is idiocy and as the snooze reported is certainly not favored by Amtrak and Conrail, the permission of both of which would be required. As I said, it's like driving to Erie and turning around to head to Syracuse. Typical Buffalo though, if there's an easy cheaper way to do it, and a hard more expensive way to do it we always pick the latter. But hell, let's just tack the cost on to the antic plan To expand the failed subway at the cost of a mere $100 million per mile.

  12. #12
    Unregistered
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    1,190
    While the rest of the country such as FL, CA, TX, AZ, NV, UT, NM etc.. are already building or designing high speed rail lines were the Trains l go 205 mph
    https://youtu.be/CAN6DZ9SEA4 Buffalo is building a train station for trains that go chugga chugga Only in Buffalo, still going backwards

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    4,643
    Leftie, your last post attributes to me a quote that I have no recollection of making...at least not on this thread. San Diego does have a wonderful setup for rail service. That said, is it your argument that we should have only inbound service and force everyone off trains here and let them fend for themselves getting home. To make westbound people who have no intention of stopping here double back to get home? Really? It sounds to me like the carriers don't think that's in their interest, probably for many reasons. And let me say I don't think we need a new train station. I didn't hear a single report about complaints about our rail service when the NCAA was in town last week. I have many friends from out of town and not a single one, not one, has ever told me he'd love to visit if only we had a nicer train station!

  14. #14
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Buffalo, New York, United States
    Posts
    64,948
    So grump... Do you think adding the expense of a train station anywhere in Erie County will make any difference? If you had no choice but to put a station somewhere where do you think would be proper?

  15. #15
    Unregistered
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    1,190
    Florida's New High Speed Rail is called Bright Line, 1st phase From Miami to West Palm Beach opens this year Phase 2 go's to Orlando
    and future phases will go to Tampa, Naples/Ft Myers/ Sarosota, Jacksonville & Tallahassee https://youtu.be/BgOjoEx4pV0
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThAAMBR5peA

    Nevada's High SpeedRail is called X Press West https://youtu.be/VSPnIekMbmo
    Last edited by jennifer7; March 22nd, 2017 at 10:07 PM.

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. The little train station that could :)
    By WNYresident in forum Company Watch, Master planning, Development and Policy Discussion
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: August 29th, 2015, 08:45 PM
  2. Train Station
    By SundayNiagara in forum City of Niagara Falls NY
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: February 7th, 2008, 07:55 PM
  3. Keep cultural decay out of train station
    By Unregistered in forum Issues concerning Indian Sovereignty, Land Claims and Casinos
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: July 7th, 2003, 09:32 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •