Category Archives: FYI

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FYI

The Interstate Traveler Company – two views

In recent months, the Interstate Traveler Company has caught the attention of some MARP members because of its proposals to build a high speed rail and energy system along I-96. A subcommittee at the Michigan State Legislature has listened to the ideas but it has not acted upon them.

MARP members discussed the idea briefly at members meetings but concluded the technology and economics of the proposal far exceed anything they have encountered in 37 years of promoting passenger travel. As a result, MARP members agreed the proposal should be investigated in the future as more information becomes available.

Here are two links that seem to take opposite points of view on the proposal.

The first link is from a public relations firm and speaks very highly of the proposal:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/01/prweb4932334.htm

The second link is from a person who appears to have been involved with the proposal and takes a very negative view:
http://www.execulink.com/~impact/itc.html

Announcements, FYI

Tickets on sale for Sweetheart Casino Train Saturday, Feb. 12th

Soaring Eagle Casino – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Train departs Owosso promptly at Noon
$50/person  (Receive $25 in Comps)

Roll the dice and Take a spin. With thousands of slots & table games and high stakes bingo, your luck is about to change! Join the Steam Railroading Institute on February 12th on a leisurely train ride to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, where you’ll be greeted with a shuttle to Soaring Eagle Casino.  Players will receive $20 in comp dollars and a $5 dining credit. Leave the driving to us with a Great Lakes Central diesel locomotive and WIN BIG! Seating is limited so reserve your seats today by visiting Sweetheart Casino Train Tickets or by calling 989.725.9464.

Proceeds to benefit the rebuild of the Pere Marquette 1225 and The Steam Railroading Institute.

Announcements, FYI, Meetings, News

Passenger rail future is topic of Muskegon public meeting

From the Muskegon Chronicle

The public is invited to a forum Wednesday evening on the future of Michigan’s passenger rail transportation.

The open meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Shoreline Inn and Conference Center, 750 Terrace Point Blvd.

Residents are encouraged to speak out on how best to improve passenger and freight rail service. The forum is sponsored by the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, the Michigan Municipal League and the hotel as well as other economic development and civic groups, governments and unions.

Elected officials expected to participate include state Sen. Gerald VanWoerkom, R-Norton Shores; his elected successor, Rep. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart; Muskegon County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kevin Mahoney, Muskegon City Commissioner Clara Shepard and Montague Mayor Henry Roesler Jr.

The session is part of a series of 16 throughout the state. Citizen ideas will be forwarded to state and federal policymakers.

Passenger rail advocates, including some environmentalists, call it a tool to revitalize cities, reduce freeway and airport congestion, create “green” construction and manufacturing jobs and cut air pollution.

Each forum includes an overview of the existing rail system, an interactive rail mapping session, discussion of financing options, and a vision for a Michigan high-speed rail system.

Previous forums have been in Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Flint, Detroit and other cities. The final forum is Thursday in Ann Arbor. See http://www.michiganbyrail.org for more details.

Partners for the Muskegon forum include the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees & Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Divisions of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; United Transportation Union; Get Michigan Moving; Disability Connection – West Michigan; Community Foundation for Muskegon County; West Michigan Veterans Inc.; City of Montague; Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce; West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission; and West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors.

Announcements, FYI

Traverse City celebrates Festival of Trains

One of Northern Michigan’s most popular holiday attractions, the History Center of Traverse City’s Festival of Trains, officially opens Saturday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, January 2 at the History Center of Traverse City (formally the Grand Traverse Heritage Center), 322 Sixth Street, in Traverse City.

 Hours for the popular festival are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4pm.  Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, the trains will run from 10am to 4pm.

The festival is closed Christmas Day.

 Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per senior (age 65 plus), $2 per youth (ages 4 through 17), and children 3 and under are free. A family pass is available at $20 for unlimited visits to the festival by parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren.

 New items in the model train layouts this year include a high speed rail, rock quarry, cherry orchards and more.  The popular “Thomas the Train” interactive cab will return to this year’s festival.  A swap meet for model engines, cars, track and accessories will be open to the public on Saturday, December 18th.

 The Festival of Trains offers a train-related raffle and conductor’s gift shop with holiday and railroad themed gifts for the entire family.

The Festival of Trains is presented by the Northern Michigan Railroad Club in collaboration with the History Center of Traverse City. 

The Festival of Trains is a major fundraiser for the History Center of Traverse City, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting the history of Traverse City and the Grand Traverse region.

Website: http://gtheritagecenter.org/festival-of-trains-2010-2/

Announcements, FYI

UM Distinguished Lecture Series to Present Program on Train Design

Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Michigan Theater
603 E. Liberty Street
Ann Arbor, MI
Free of charge and open to the public.

Luis Chomiak

Luis Chomiak

Influencing Train Design

International Transportation Design Consultant and Industrial Design Engineer Luis Chomiak has experience in all types of product design, rail vehicles and other forms of public and personal transportation. Recent projects include the China Zefiro VHS (Very High Speed) Train and Metro Singapore. His presentation discusses the complex issues that influence modern rail vehicle design, including service requirements, environmental conditions, infrastructures, interoperability, norms and standards, safety, human factors, special needs, green issues, cultural requirements, operator and passenger aspirations, manufacturing technology, and cost.

 With support from the College of Engineering, and UM SMART – Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research and Transformation.

 http://art-design.umich.edu/stamps/detail/luis_chomiak