President Biden has aspirations for a new era of train travel. Amtrak supporters hope that a new line between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, is just the start. But major obstacles stand in the way.
Credit: Stephan Bisaha/ Gulf States Newsroom
Rail Lines Vs. Budget Lines Amtrak commissioned an outside group to assess how many state and federal dollars should be invested to avoid serious delays. Experts said those studies usually take about seven months, but when a year passed without an end in sight, Amtrak decided to move forward without the study. Amtrak points its finger at railroad owners, Norfolk Southern and CSX, for refusing to share detailed data about their businesses. Those companies say the information is confidential, but without it, Amtrak said the study is useless.
“It does actually look like there hasn’t been a clear desire on the part of the freight railroads to actually meet with Amtrak,” said Nick Little, director of the Center for Railway Research and Education at Michigan State University.
St Helens has become the Village of Angels once again to raise money for the local youth club project. More than 30 angels of all shapes, sizes and materials are now on display in gardens and on St Helens Village Green for the annual angel event. In the competition for the best angel, winner in the adult category was Kyaribaggu, made by Wendy Hayden, in second place was Surfer Girl, by Helen Wade, and in third place was The Washed Up Angel by Peta Rainford. The children s category first prize went to Emily Moring with Rosie, second prize was jointly awarded to Ellie and Toby Bradstock for Ballroom Angel and Robot Angel and in third place was Starry Angel by Abbie Ferrier.