Sorry for the delay in reply. The discussion concept here is not an S-bahn or regional rail but train-tram that, in this case, would use the existing Baltimore Light Rail surface route through downtown paired with dedicated passenger tracks on the Camden Line. So, not using any existing tunnels.

On the Airo options process, there's been exactly one unit released from Siemens so far (the Cascades trainset now testing on the NEC). Selecting the options now wouldn't really get the trains produced any faster until Siemens gets further through the order. More Charges could be optioned soon, tho.

The Superliner replacement ROI bid process was bungled by Amtrak, after no OEMs responded, with the specs really unworkable as stipulated. Hopefully the next round of the process will produce some usable bids:
www.railpassengers.org/happening-no...

In my book, it’s hard to beat NMRRX…

It’s probably the most significant mileage for a trans-Mississippi route of any railroad in either direction not going to Chicago/IL. When RRs crossed, it was to reach a city or yard just on the other side (ie. NYC or Pennsy to St Louis, MoPac to Memphis, etc).

Check out the documents here:
assets.metrolinx.com/image/upload...

A truncated version. I do like the fins connecting the locomotive stripes to the first coach. But then it disappears. They could have replicated the classic AA livery, but didn’t…
The thing I like best about chest lines is connecting front to the back.

I’d be careful repeating that down here in Louisiana…😁
(For the record, the SSL’s maroon & orange is always connected to Virginia Tech in my mind)

Just a word of caution: this is a very small fragment of the project. The grand tamale - reactivating the Cutoff between Andover & Slateford Jct - is currently unfunded.

Id recommend re-reading all the words at the top of the post. Not simple best commuter rail livery but best “cheat line” which is to linearly connect the front of the vehicle(s) to the back at or below the windows to convey speed. This Alitalia livery is the classic example.

Even more noticeable on aircraft. Alitalia’s was stunning.
I learned the term from Patrick Smith of Ask The Pilot.

They have both the sacred and the profane…

Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t. I don’t think we can can say no one sought it. DC allowed CSX overnight windows for the Virginia Ave Tunnel project. Maybe the experience with that was bad. Or maybe CSX wanted overnight access and they’re blaming it on the noise restrictions.

CSX needs to run their traffic in the middle of all this.

Sorry, Zack, but I’m not sure what you’re missing here. The part that’s in L’Enfant Plaza is the problem. Fully on DC land.

Ok, but even if it’s granted, it doesn’t change the railroad shutdown dynamic.

Maybe they could but it wouldn’t change the dynamics of the railroad shutdown.

Not sure Virginia would have jurisdiction over the portion that’s really related to the noise ordnances:
bsky.app/profile/rail...