FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 7, 1999
Contact: Pamela Barry
Telephone: 202-493-6024
FRA 28-99
U. S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces
Non-Electric High-Speed Passenger Rail Demonstration Project
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced an aggressive schedule to begin testing and demonstration of a prototype high-speed non-electric passenger locomotive on high-speed rail passenger corridors.
"High-speed rail demonstrates President Clinton’s commitment to safety as the highest transportation priority and helps build the transportation system for the new millennium," Secretary Slater said. "The American people will benefit from safe, comfortable, reliable, high-speed passenger rail service, which provides an attractive option for travel between major urban centers and helps cities manage the increased congestion that is expected."
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in partnership with Bombardier Transit Corporation, is producing a prototype high-speed, non-electric locomotive ultimately capable of speeds up to 150 mph. Testing of this prototype is scheduled to begin in the late spring of 2000. Initial testing will be at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colo., followed by extensive demonstrations over a wide range of operating conditions.
A notice about these tests in the Sept. 3, 1999 Federal Register outlines two prototype demonstrations: a concept demonstration and a service demonstration. The concept demonstration will involve the prototype locomotive and three cars provided by Bombardier in actual operation for 3 to 14 days or several high-speed rail corridors to gather train performance data.
The service demonstration will involve a prototype locomotive and 3 cars, in revenue service for an extended period of time, three-to-six months, in one or two high-speed corridors. The service demonstration will collect longer term performance data, will be managed by Amtrak and will test compatibility with modern passenger rail equipment already in use.
"We greatly value our partnership with Bombardier Transit Corporation in developing this prototype," said FRA Administrator Molitoris. "High-speed rail will be an important component of the transportation system in the 21st century, and this project will help to make that a reality."
The FRA is looking for statements of interest from states or consortia of states interested in participating with the FRA, Bombardier, and Amtrak for the concept demonstration, the service demonstration, or both.
States must submit statements of interest by Nov. 19, 1999. Proposals will be evaluated using criteria that consider funding feasibility and scientific and technical merits, among others.
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