Day: February 16, 2010

The best way to see how bullet trains transform economies is to ride them and see the cities they serve.  To ride a bullet train you have to travel overseas. A year ago, members of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association traveled to Spain to see how that country is using high-speed trains to unify the country. This year, we hope to visit France, which pioneered European high-speed rail in 1982.  We hope to include the following elements on this trip:

• A TGV duplex ride on France’s first high-speed line
• A ride at 205 mph on a German-built ICE-3
• A presentation on SNCF’s proposal for a bullet train network in the Midwest
• A tour of a modern light rail line
• A visit to Antwerp Central, rated one the world’s most beautiful railroad stations. It also has a new four track bypass similar to Chicago’s proposed West Loop Transportation Center.

Before we move forward planning the details of trip, we need to gauge interest. We are considering either June 13 – 19 or September 12 – 18.  The trip will go when we have received ten refundable deposits for one of the possible weeks.  We will book the trip through the Society of International Railway Travelers which has given excellent support on past trips.  A potential agenda can be found at: http://www.midwesthsr.org/events/. Please respond to this email and answer the following questions if you are interested in going: (If this email got forwarded to you, send the email to: mark@midwesthsr.org)

1) Do you prefer June or September?
2) Are you willing to spend up to $2,500, $3,500 or $4,000 plus airfare?
3) Would you be interested in an extra three days that would have a focused agenda on trains and facilities?
4) Would you rather go to China?

Make sure to include your full contact information if you want to keep informed. Rick Harnish, Executive Director Midwest High Speed Rail Association 4765 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 773-334-6758.  Join us at midwestHSR.org.

A couple months ago I mentioned that I have a new book coming out entitled “Kentucky and the Illinois Central Railroad”. It is a soft cover book from Arcadia Publishing and, well, is about the IC’s trains and operations in the Bluegrass State. I had hoped that it would be out by the end of 2009, but that didn’t happen.

However, I’ve now been advised that the book will be available March 29. Unlike another book publisher I worked with who announced publication dates that were repeatedly delayed, Arcadia does not announce a publication date unless they are rock solid certain that the book will actually be printed and in stores. So, the long wait is drawing to a close.

The book is not yet listed on Arcadia’s website (arcadiapublishing.com). But if you go to amazon.com, booksamillion.com, or barnesandnoble.com, and type in “clifford downey”, you can at least see the front cover. As publication draws nearer, then each site will include previews of inside pages.
As always, once the book is out I welcome all comments , good or bad. I certainly hope folks will consider buying this book, for I believe they will enjoy it.

Cliff Downey

Updated member-renewal spread sheets for January 2010 have been sent to the national office.  If you have not paid your renewal dues, please do so as soon as possible to simplify paper work for treasurer Wally Watts and electronic contact, Bill Thomas(me).  The February sheets will be emailed around the 10th of February so Wally will need your dues in hand before then.  Thanks!