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More on the attractions of Indianapolis than a Hoosier State trip report.
Indianapolis is a great city. It's Downtown is very compact with any and all (no casino) things to do.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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I had wondered what was in the rest of the train shed. Now I know. Somewhat beyond my budget but would have been nice that couple of years ago when I went to a rail convention in Indy. Very walkable with your basic needs within the downtown area, as GBN says.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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The "Hoosier State" train is set for discontinuance at the end of June. A state senator has proposed an amendment to restore funding.
If it doesn't work, think there will be a chance for the "Cardinal" to go daily?
Richard
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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All the way to New York?
Not likely.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by yukon11: If it doesn't work, think there will be a chance for the "Cardinal" to go daily?
Since that would make the portions of fixed costs that are now split with the Hoosier State now be borne by the Cardinal alone, more likly to become another excuse to kill the Cardinal.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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There was a Newswire report that a State Senator representing Lafayette of making a push to have Hoosier State funding appropriated in the next budget.
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The absurdity of this cannot be dismissed. This was not an emergency, it was the SOP whenever the Hoosier State arrived IND, and when the next NB was The Cardinal:
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Looks like there will be no reprieve for this "sick puppy". He gets "the needle" on arrival of 851(30) @ CUS. addendum 850 (30) WILL operate so that's the last.
One must wonder how many fans will show up for the last ride? Will someone break out an Adios drumhead? This will be the first "train-off" since the '03 "Bush prunings", i.e. Three Rivers, Silver Palm.
While Indiana may be "off the hook", the costs to operate The Cardinal will go up. I envision higher T&E costs as someone will be laying over in Indy for like 40 hrs. I also envision nothing but force assignments, for as soon as something opens up, the occupants will be bidding off. The inexperienced crews will make it more difficult to get the train "over the road".
Indiana msy save the $3M they pay, but Amtrak certainly will not.
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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As much as I'd like to see Amtrak keep and grow its network, it's hard to feel sad for the demise of the Hoosier State. Awful schedule, poor run times and lack of state support make it easier to say good-bye than continuing with the "good fight".
Meanwhile, the state of Indiana paid Delta Airlines $3.5 million in "incentives" last year for non-stop air service between Indianapolis and Paris. Delta will be eligible for another $2 million this year. Where would you rather spend the taxpayer's money--Paris or Chicago?
If I were assigned a 40 hour layover 3 hours from my home base, I think I would tie down my train and spend my per diem on a bus ticket back to my own home and bed.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Sorry volks, but I think that "bribing" Delta to operate an IND-GDG flight is $$$ better spent than "bribing" Amtrak to operate a train that is a loser by any measurement.
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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Indianapolis to Chicago is virtually the same distance as Seattle to Portland. If Amtrak trains took 5 hours on the Seattle to Portland run, I can assure you that Cascades ridership would shrink to only the most desperate and nostalgic. Maybe someday the Chicago-Indy-Cincinnati corridor would be a perfect candidate for improved high(er) speed service, but it seems like that day is a long way off.
Without a solid, shovel-ready plan to improve the Hoosier State schedule and service, it's best to forget about the train. Use the shovels to bury the Hoosier State and move on--enjoy Paris while it lasts. If IND-CDG isn't generating enough profit, or if it's dragging down profits at DTW, Delta will cancel IND-CDG as soon as the subsidy runs out. Delta's huge international hub in Detroit is just over an hour away by air.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Vincent, you and I live where one can fly anywhere we need or desire - nonstop. The last time I was on a multi-stop flight was on some Southwest routing, but then, I solved that problem by not flying them anymore.
Indianapolis is hardly as fortunate; it's fly to a hub on a puddle jumper, then "go through the drill" again and certainly adding to one's anxiety level.
Having a non-stop flight overseas certainly adds to the attractiveness for multi-national corporations, such as Eli Lilly and any others the "powers" would like to have locate there.
My friends there have used it for a "jaunt to The Continent".
Oh, and back on our sick puppy "getting the needle", in my younger days, I'd be "chasing"; now I'll let others do that and see what they post at YouTube.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Looks like the last run, 850(30) will go out with a drumhead.
The Lafayette Journal and Courier reports that a group has chartered two former PRR cars, the 6BR-Lng "Colonial Crafts" and a 2DR,1CP,1BR, Obs-Lng "Frank Thomson" (part of a fleet to be named "-- Narrows", but PRR chose to deify some of their Gods). Presumably the Obs will be properly pointed an bear a drumhead - likely a PRR Keystone.
Both cars were Pullman-Standard built and placed in service during 1949.
Well, the PRR was on the CHI-IND route, but hardly the "player" as was the NYC, even if they hosted the Chi-Mia "South Wind".
"Unterminister" Magliari noted that business on the Hoosier State has been up of late.
Finally, there was a PRR "artifact" visible to anyone on I-65 through Lebanon, IN - a concrete arched overpass with a Keystone carved into it. But alas, the highway was widened, and that was that.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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A "blink of the eye" clip of the two PV's and drumhead on 851 (30JUN) as it left IND:
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