Why are we assuming that a consulting firm with many years of experience, composed of retired railroaders from high management positions and centuries of cumulative experience, working within known federal guidelines, would deliberately create a fictional, inflated cost structure to justify their fee? Do any of you personally know anyone who works for RLBA? (I do.)
Because I've managed consultants who wanted to design me a Cadillac when all I wanted or could afford was a Chevy Mailbu. Some use "Federal funds" to gold plate
I'd like to drive a Cadillac or Lincoln but I have a hard time justifying the extra $$$$ when public money is involved. Right now their sentiment is an Aveo is sufficient.
An example- a gov't agency was going to spend $60,000 on a study to come up with a solution to fix an erosion problem (The $60,000 did not include any construction costs). They were given a solution for free that cost $13,000 to construct.
You can not get around ADA requirements. Equal access for the disabled is a right in this country, not something to be ignored because those who are fully abled don't feel like bearing the equal cost burden for those less fortunate. If the idea of keeping vehicles off the road and avoiding traffic backups is the whole purpose of this line, why would we stick the disabled people right back on the road?
In GR, the Rapid provides on-demand "Go Bus" service in lieu of some handicapped buses. It certainly is worth a request for a temporary waiver. Sometimes the feds will surprise you.
No 480V standby power? You really want to leave four sets of equipment running all night and all day to keep the coaches heated or air-conditioned? Do you have any idea what that will cost in diesel fuel in just one year?
All 4 trains are going to be moved to and from storage as 1 unit according to the report . 1 HEP on one train could power the house needs (Might need to be wired accordingly). Again. lets see if the service succeeds before we build lots of infrastructure.
No sidings for storage? Do we just leave the trains on the main line? How can that possibly make any sense?
Read the report, it says "the existing sidings could be used but we recommend new sidings be added". Again, they can be added if the service is a success.
$50,000 might buy you a nice luxury car, but it will buy the railroad exactly two power switch machines for a siding.
4 trains one way with no opposing traffic on 30 minute headway's do not need power switches nor do they need CTC for 27 miles.
I'll stand by my assessment, the proposal is gold plated for a trial service to see if the public will come.
We'll probably just have to agree to disagree on this one