Scottsbluff, Neb., BNSF building sustains $3 million damage in fire
A fire in the terminal building at BNSF’s facility in Alliance, Neb., is reported to have caused about $3 million in damage. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department responded to the building Sunday about 12:20 p.m., had the fire “somewhat controlled” around 3:30, and remained on scene until about 5 p.m. BNSF spokeswoman Amy Casas told the paper that all employees were evacuated safely, and that the cause is under investigation. Much of the damage was reported to be to electronics equipment inside the building.
Officials criticize MBTA plans to purchase new diesels
Government officials are criticizing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s plans to buy 25 new diesel locomotives in the coming fiscal year, with one area mayor calling it “a step in the wrong direction” for a system with plans for electrification and a need to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Salem News reports Lynn Mayor Tom McGee also said in a letter to the Fiscal Management and Control Board, which oversees the MBTA, that the transit agency has “taken little action to date” to address pollution. The letter was also signed by mayors of Salem and Beverly, as well as town administrators in Swampscott and Marblehead. State legislators have also questioned the move, saying the agency needs to begin purchasing and testing electric locomotives, but MBTA officials said electrification projects are still in the planning stages.
Ontario plan would create new Toronto transit center, ‘Union Station of the East’
The government of Ontario has proposed a new Toronto transit center, dubbed the “Union Station of the East,” which would eventually offer access to the new Ontario Line subway, GO Transit, and eventually, a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar line. CP24.com reports the transit facility in the East Harbour area would be part of a transit-oriented community on a 38-acre site including residences, businesses employing up to 50,000 people. The site is currently owned by developer Cadillac Fairview, which is seeking to redevelop the area. The Ontario Line could begin operation by 2030.
so what if the mbta buys 25 new diesel locomotives maybe they will be low emission and the mbta commuter rail has rebuilt their F40PH-2C’s into dash 3
Electric and battery powered locomotives are really a zero sum game. The electricity to run the locomotive has to be generated somewhere. All that is happening is a point source polluter, the diesel locomotive, is replaced with a non-point source polluter, the power generating station. The negative effects of generating the power are still there. However, you can’t readily see it, so those who advocate “zero emissions” are happy.
So why not just buy dual mode locomotives that can take advantage of electrification when it happens? Problem solved.
Because Mike you’d be spending hundreds of millions of dollars for dual-mode locos for electricfication that wouldn’t happen in the lifetime of the locomotive. Problem not solved.
Plus you’d be hauling around heavy electrical gear for decades that’s just dead copper and dead iron. problem not solved.
As for the Democrats in my native state of Massachusetts, I call BS. MBTA doesn’t even run electric locomotives where there are wires (Boston to PVD Theodore Frances Green Rhode Island State Airport), why would anyone think electric wires would be expanded?