Still more Monday morning rail news:
Study planned of Dubuque-Rockford rail service
A Dubuque, Iowa, group is planning to contract for a study to restore rail passenger service between Dubuque and Rockford, Ill., once a proposed Chicago-Rockford service is revived. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports the committee of government and economic officials from Dubuque and three Illinois counties has approved a request for proposals for a consultant to conduct the study. The approximate 14-month study would consider such aspects of the potential service as routing, station locations, and infrastructure needs, as well as costs and revenue potential. Proposals are due in December with the contract likely to be awarded in mid-January. The Chicago-Dubuque route was last served by Amtrak’s Black Hawk, which ceased operation in 1981. The long-discussed revival of Chicago-Rockford service received a boost when the Illinois Department of Transportation hired a manager for the project earlier this year [see “Digest: Effort to restart Chicago-Rockford passenger service takes step forward,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 25, 2020] after receiving $275 million in funding in 2020 Illinois budget [see “Illinois passes budget with funds for transit, commuter, intercity rail,” News Wire, June 3, 2019].
Boring Co. seeks to expand underground Las Vegas transit system
As Elon Musk’s Boring Co. continues to advance its proposed underground transit system serving the Las Vegas Convention Center, the company has also proposed expanding the system to serve downtown, the Las Vegas Strip, and other locations as part of a proposed “Vegas Loop.” The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the proposal would also include service to Las Vegas’ airport and Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. While Boring Co. unveiled the plans earlier this month, it has yet to file the necessary paperwork to pursue the project. In the meantime, the Clark County Commission is scheduled to review agreements for the 0.6-mile Convention Center project on Tuesday.
CP undertakes $1 million refurbishment of landmark upstate New York station
Canadian Pacific has begun a $1 million project to refurbish a landmark stone railroad station built in 1888 and used as the Town of Moriah, N.Y., Senior Center. The Plattsburgh Press-Republican reports the building in Port Henry, N.Y., was built by George R. Sherman, who also built the Delaware & Hudson Railway and was a partner in local mining firm Witherbee, Sherman and Co. It is one of four local structures built in a distinctive Richardson Romanesque style, along with the town’s library, fire department, and Mount Moriah Presbyterian Church. The railroad, which owns the station and leases it to the city, is doing work including a new roof, stonework, remodeling, and repairs to the platforms used by Amtrak’s Adirondack. Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava told the newspaper he is grateful the railroad accepted the project as a capital investment, as the town couldn’t afford the repairs.
