Source Caltrain | Caltrain locomotive for sale
Caltrain Locomotive Sale Becomes Nostalgic Attraction
Caltrain’s latest venture has become a nostalgic sensation. The Bay Area’s transit agency is offering “gently used, lovingly maintained” 135-ton diesel locomotives from 1985 on their online store. These historic F40 models, which have traversed over a million miles, are being retired to make way for a new electric fleet.
Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman confirmed the surprising sale is real, driven by a desire to preserve pieces of railroad history. However, owning one is neither cheap nor simple, as practicality demands these locomotives be moved by rail.
Bay Area transit agencies have creatively repurposed old train cars before, transforming them into glamping sites, video game arcades, and Airbnbs. This sale, starting in October, aims to attract collectors and enthusiasts.
Lieberman noted in the San Francisco Chronicler, “Trying to sell them to a wider range of people and organizations through the online store seemed like a good way of trying to preserve these historical engines. Plus, it’s just plain fun and unexpected.”
Source National Aquarium | The floating habitat in Baltimore
Harbor-Wetland Revitalizes Community Space and Aquatic Life
Baltimore is making waves with its new floating island, the Harbor Wetland, aiming to revive the aquatic life in the Inner Harbor. This 10,000-square-foot habitat is situated near the National Aquarium and was designed by Ayers Saint Gross, a local architecture firm.
The $14-million project uses native shrubs and grasses to filter pollutants, addressing water pollution from the Jones Falls River. Utilizing pontoon technology that mimics natural wetlands, it attracts marine life like mollusks, fish, and seabirds while serving as a floating park with walkways and seating.
Jacqueline Bershad, the National Aquarium’s VP of planning, views the platform as a way to reconnect people with the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem. Despite past pollution challenges, the project marks a significant step in the city’s aquatic recovery, complementing efforts like Mr. Trash Wheel, a solar-powered trash collector cleaning the harbor since 2014.
Part of a broader trend, similar eco-friendly shoreline projects in cities like Boston and Chicago have successfully improved water quality and attracted wildlife. The Harbor Wetland enhances local ecosystems while also educating the public about environmental conservation.
Source Sound Transit | The Lynwood light rail
Snohomish County’s Light Rail Journey: A Tale of Persistence and Triumph
The journey toward developing the light rail system in Snohomish County has been a saga nearly sixty years in the making. It all began in 1968 with the Forward Thrust bond measures, a visionary attempt to establish a rapid transit system in King County. While initial ambitions soared, the economic turbulence of the early 1970s, highlighted by Boeing’s financial woes, derailed subsequent funding efforts and redirected federal dollars to Atlanta instead.
Fast forward to 1996, when a renewed hope emerged as voters in Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties rallied together to approve taxes for a $3.9-billion transit package, earmarking $1.7 billion for light rail. Enter Jerry Smith, the Mayor of Mountlake Terrace from 2004 to 2018, who championed the cause, passionately advocating for rail expansion into Snohomish County.
As with any good plot, our heroes faced numerous challenges: fierce opposition from city representatives, financial hurdles, and political wrangling. Significant budget overruns in the early 2000s resulted in a temporary loss of federal funding.
But, under the astute leadership of Joni Earl, who took the helm as CEO in 2001, Sound Transit redefined its focus, homing in on realistic project scopes and internal improvements. And just like that, persistence paid off, with federal funding making a triumphant return in 2003.
The debut of the Central Link light rail, stretching from Westlake to the airport, in 2009 was a milestone moment, followed by the University Link in 2016. Yes, the hurdles persisted; however, the crowning achievement came with the approval of the $54-billion ST3 package in 2016, paving the way for light rail expansion from Lynnwood to Everett.
After decades of dogged determination, the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace stations stand ready to open their doors. The light rail project has navigated through economic recessions, political headwinds, and funding crises, bringing an essential transportation option to the vibrant Snohomish County.