XPost: misc.transport.rail.americas   
      
   Hi All,   
      
   I know that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has several ideas   
   about further extensions on its East-of-River lines as well as   
   West-of-River, and so I was wondering where things stand at the moment.   
      
   -- I know that Metro-North has spoken about extending service beyond   
   Poughkeepsie to Rhinecliff-Kingston, and that the local authorities in   
   the latter have expressed more interest in it over the past 10 or so years.   
      
   The MTA, I think, would also like to eventually extend the Harlem Line   
   beyond Wassaic -- if not to Chatham, then at least to Millerton. It   
   seems that this would be more difficult process, however, as they would   
   need to reclaim the existing Rail Trail between Wassaic and Millerton,   
   plus the agency also needs to amend its operating charter to include   
   Columbia County.   
      
   It won't be impossible, AIUI, just more difficult.   
      
   On West-of-River, what is happening with the project to restore rail   
   service to Binghamton? The Southern Tier Line is not a realistic option,   
   AIUI, due to its rather circuitous route and numerous speed   
   restrictions. Thus, any proposed rail service to Binghamton would see   
   trains run via the Lackawana Cut-Off and Scranton.   
      
   I am guessing that the third project is the most complex, at least from   
   a legal perspective, as it would involve the participation of   
   transportation departments in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as   
   well as a number of charter amendments for various operating agencies.   
      
   So, is there any real progress  on any of the aforementioned projects   
   and which of them is the most realistic at this point? Is it perhaps   
   still a "Wouldn't that be nice? Maybe someday." scenario?   
      
   (I am guessing that extension of service from Poughkeepsie to   
   Rhinecliff-Kingston is the most realistic option at the moment, due to   
   the relative ease of making legal and physical changes.)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)