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Amtrak unveils first stimulus-funded car |
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BEAR, Del. -- Amtrak has wasted little time using its $1.3 billion slice of the federal stimulus package, unveiling the first of 81 passenger cars to be restored with the help of economic recovery funds, the Associated Press reported.
Passenger car no. 25103, damaged a few years ago in a yard collision but now completely refurbished -- complete with that "new car" interior smell -- was shown off Monday at Amtrak's maintenance facility in Bear. More than 100 hard-hatted workers joined Amtrak president and CEO Joseph Boardman in celebrating completion of its restoration.
The car, refitted at a cost of about $687,000, will rejoin the Amtrak fleet next week and will be used on long-distance routes stretching from Toronto to Miami.
With ridership increasing by about 25 percent over the past three years, Amtrak is welcoming the additional seating capacity that will be provided by cars brought out of storage for repairs. Cars like the one displayed Monday can seat 60.
Members of Delaware's congressional delegation said that while past presidents seemed cool to the needs of mass transit, the Obama administration seems to truly believe in passenger rail.
"Our day has come," said Democratic Sen. Tom Carper.
Republican Rep. Michael Castle acknowledged that he was no fan of the $787 billion stimulus package, but said he wants to ensure that Amtrak remains a viable mode of transportation.
"I think we have an administration that cares, and I think the vice president has a lot to do with that," said Castle, referring to Vice President Joseph Biden, who rode the rails regularly during his long career in the Senate.
The funds allocated to Amtrak are part of the $9.3 billion set aside in the stimulus package for rail transportation. State governments, as well as Amtrak, are competing for a share of the other $8 billion available.
Some of the proposals being discussed include a Chicago-St. Louis high-speed line that could cut travel times to two hours from the current five, an 800-mile-long high-speed line stretching along the California coast, and a proposal by governors of New England states to improve and expand train service throughout that region.
Amtrak expects to spend about $90 million in stimulus money it's already been awarded to upgrade 81 passenger cars and 15 diesel locomotives -- part of the $845 million in stimulus funds allocated for railroad and station capital improvements. The agency will spend another $450 million in stimulus money for security upgrades at stations, bridges, tunnels and other locations.
Amtrak has added a third shift and hired 55 workers at its heavy maintenance facility in Delaware, which is responsible for the overhaul and wreck repair of passenger railcars, to help restore a total of 60 cars by February 2011 at a cost of $58 million. Amtrak's chief mechanical officer, Vince Nesci, described the undertaking as a "pretty ambitious and aggressive project."
Similar work is slated for Amtrak shops in Beech Grove, Ind., where 21 out-of-service passenger cars will be rebuilt.
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