Is resurrected passenger rail in downstate DE in the offing?

[NYC refugee]

Well, I live in western Sussex, the forgotten country to most people, and I know I would like to get to the beach area off season, Wilmington and points in between, and Salisbury, where I used to work, maybe Easton or other in that direction, and not have to drive all the time. I NEVER go to the beach in season because the traffic is awful, so tell the business owners out there that they're losing local business.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by nuts2uiam

I agree that passenger traffic would be lighter than the summer but this place is hopping all year now and if I were to be a betting person - I would say Jan and Feb for sure would be light but there are so many things going on the "formerly known as the shoulder season" that I think it would be pretty decent.

I also know a lot of folks that lived in MD and NOVA that have retired to Delaware but have family ties back with MD and NOVA. I wonder how many of them would take advantage of this service as opposed to braving the Bay Bridge.

[rdlr]

A freight train runs through our Town of Wyoming 3-4/times day. Most don't even know about Wyoming, which borders the southern tip of Dover. I saw the train stop in town last week, and thought I had missed something.....maybe a passenger train???? Nah.....one of the freight cars needed adjusting.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by quiet life

Ocean City, MD would be a good final destination. I am a former DE resident living in the Poconos so I am familiar with the area. In the summer months, this proposed route would be packed. The Beach Express: Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Salisbury, Ocean City.

Funding will most likely come out of federally allocated state funding so DE and MD would need to cooperate and is highly unlikely given the marginal benefit to the state of Maryland overall.

[NYC refugee]

The train runs through Greenwood a few times daily, too, and less frequently through Georgetown, where I work. There are tracks in Ellendale, too, and I see it as a missed opportunity.

[skeddy]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I also know a lot of folks that lived in MD and NOVA that have retired to Delaware but have family ties back with MD and NOVA. I wonder how many of them would take advantage of this service as opposed to braving the Bay Bridge.

this is about train service from northern to southern Delaware, has nothing to do with the Bay Bridge.

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by skeddy

it's those pesky other 8 months of the year when no one would be riding the train that makes it unrealistic.

Point taken. But as the above poster stated the months other than Jan. and Feb. are pretty busy in the area as well. Maybe have a lighter schedule during those dead months and increase the schedule from March thru Dec. Those "expert" urban planners can figure it out.

[quiet life]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Funding will most likely come out of federally allocated state funding so DE and MD would need to cooperate and is highly unlikely given the marginal benefit to the state of Maryland overall.

Brightline HSR is a private funded rail company and they would ensure profitability with scheduling and such. That's if they were interested in this endeavor.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by quiet life

Brightline HSR is a private funded rail company and they would ensure profitability with scheduling and such. That's if they were interested in this endeavor.

I highly doubt Brightline would want anything to do with extending rail service through Delaware. More than likely it would be a Delaware operated endeavor, much like NJ Transit.

[EnjoyEveryDay]

I would love a Delaware rail service, I would use a Delaware rail service, but I doubt that I will ever see a Delaware rail service beyond what exists.

I hear great things about taking the train from Wilmington to points north, and have to do that. Not sure that qualifies as a Bucket List item, but hey, sounds like fun.