More forums

Michael O’Brien, closing out the meeting, promises more forums and the like led by Worcester

The not nice way to get trains

“We are at a crossroads,” says McGovern, saying there’s a nice and not nice way to go forward. Those “not nice” ways include eminent domain and congressional orders.
“It’s not sound public policy” for Mass to assume liability, says McGovern. He sounds confident the issues will be resolved one way or another, it’s just [...]

Congressman McGovern

McGovern is keying on this not being a debate of freight versus passenger rail.
And, he says, it’s not an issue of funding. That will come together if there’s a deal with CSX.
The issue, as we know, is liability protection.
It’s a national issue also with Amtrak, and McGovern sounds like he is going to bring [...]

Dukakis on Trains

Michael Dukakis, keynote speaker, is on stage.
He’s talking infrastructure…saying how great European infrastructure and trains are.
“One week in Iraq would pay” for a good national transportation and trains says Dukakis.
He’s listing off the litany of rail improvements the state needs…and saying that if London can build a 25 mile tunnel under London for [...]

Thomas Cahir

Tom Cahir, the state’s Deputy Secratary for transportation and public works says the state’s first comprehensive freight/passenger rail plan in decades is being developed….he’s touting other recent rail developments including Fitchburg rail improvements.
He also reraised the concept of routing some Worcester trains through Ayer to Boston, saying the improved efficiencies there make it [...]

Train Summit crowd

The third floor junior ballroom is packed. Everyone is still raving about Tim Murray’s scathing speech against CSX earlier. Now, a panel is discussing the train industry, and how more trains would benefit Worcester

Technical Difficulties…

…have kept us offline this morning at the train summit. But we should be able to bring you the last hour here if anything interesting happens.