Heh, I'm a rail buff too. I even have an HO train running around my down stairs guest room. But, the price tag was stunning. NPR was talking about $250 million capital investment in fixing up the track from Concord to I assume the Massachusetts state line. That's about 25 miles, so we are talking about $10 million per mile. Which is ridiculous. Back in the day (19th century) there were plenty of railroad tracks running Nashua-Concord, and Nashua-Boston. Those right of ways are still there. The state could get them back from who ever owns them now thru eminent domain. The track will need some work, but $10 million a mile for track work is a rip off.
NPR did not furnish any ridership estimates, fares, and travel time, which you would need to estimate revenue and losses. Right now we have medium good bus service Concord to Boston. Will the incredibly pricey train be faster? or cheaper?
Sounds like the NH taxpayers are expected to foot the bill and all the operating losses. We would be ahead putting the money into finishing up widening I93.
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