If bullets were this slow we'd have world peace

The Empire line has been subject to consistent delays recently, ostensibly due to track maintenence. The last time major track work was done the new ties were made of concrete rather than wood to support the anticipated "bullet train" which would run at slightly more than half the speed of high-speed trains in japan. One hundred eighty million dollars later, the "bullet train" project has now officially been abandoned and the new ties are made of wood.

Never fear, however, the NY state Senate has created a new task force on high-speed rail service. The task force will review a $5 million feasibility study currently underway. The study will focus on two main routes: one linking Buffalo and New York City, and another linking Montreal, Albany and New York City.

There's nothing politicians like better than to spend money on feasibilty studies. As one Amtrak conductor said to me the other day, "I've got ten years till retirement and I don't think I'll ever see it."