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High-speed rail in New York State has been a topic that is consistently discussed among legislators, political leaders and in particular, several past governors since the 1990s , but thus far little progress has been made. In his campaign speeches prior to his defeat to Governor George Pataki in 1994, Mario Cuomo promised to bring high speed ( Maglev ) rail up the Hudson Valley and along the Catskill Mountains route. For New York, steel-wheel plus maglev is envisioned - New York State passenger rail upgrades Railway Age, Dec, 1993 It was not a priority for the subsequent administration. Currently, Amtrak's Acela service between Washington, D.C. , and Boston , Massachusetts , is available to New York City , but the cities in Upstate New York and Western New York remain isolated from High-speed Rail service. Further, destinations outside the New York Metropolitan Area have experienced delayed service for decades. In some areas, New York State has been quietly endorsing and even implementing rail improvements for years. Frequently cited as a partial solution for Upstate and Western New York's economic stagnation, faster rail transportation between New York City and the rest of the state has been suggested as a way to make rural areas grow into suburban destiantions for daily commuters, and easily accessible for businesses to relocate to cheaper real estate. Many politicians also endorse closer ties with destinations in Canada . HISTORY Rail travel in New York has its roots in the early 19th Century . The New York Central water-level route roughly followed the path of the Erie Canal , with four tracks along much of the route. For many years the Twentieth Century Limited and Empire State Express services, to Chicago and Buffalo were amongst the fastest trains in the world, with average speeds topping 60 miles per hour and top speeds reportedly well over 100. Rail travel largely stagnated in the post- World War II economic boom, as the New York Thruway was built, and then the rest of the Highway Transportation and Suburban lifestyles burgeoned. Nonetheless, rail culture lived on in the New York metropolitan area. It was kept alive by the Subway culture in New York City , as well as suburban routes on Long Island and the northern suburbs of the city. The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are the two largest Commuter Rail roads in the United States . New Jersey Transit , which serves New Jersey commuters to Manhattan , Philadelphia , and points within New Jersey, is also a major player in the U.S. Commuter Rail market. Potential also exists for a high-speed rail line to Montreal , Quebec , Canada along existing train Right Of Way . Interest in updating the state's aging rail infrastructure was sparked in the early , 2006 Notably, federal planners identified New York State's report; October 21 , 2003 In 2005 , New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno expressed renewed interest in high-speed rail proposed research into high-speed rail development in New York State as part of a plan to boost Upstate New York 's economy." Fast Trains in NY: Slashing Travel Time is Key to Accelerating Upstate Economy " by Joseph Bruno CURRENT PLANS Current plans call for extensive upgrades to current New York State infrastructure. Almost all the proposed high-speed rail corridors have existing rail lines, so it is considered easiest to bring high-speed rail to them by upgrading existing routes. As of 2006, many New York State politicians have taken interest in high-speed rail. New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno 's interest is notable, along with Governor Elliot Spitzer and New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver - considered the three most powerful politicians in the state. Senator Caesar Trunzo announced a long-term plan to bring high-speed rail service between Buffalo and New York City, via Albany, to under three hours."REPORT TO TASK FORCE WOULD IMPROVE NEW YORK'S RAIL SYSTEM," undated; see http://senatortrunzo.com/senate_reports_on.asp?id=517 Some improvements are already under way. ''The Troy Record'', a local newspaper in '' reported, under a plan that had been recently released by the New York State Senate , that "Metro-North trains running all the way to Albany by 2012 , emphasized high-speed travel and increased rail service throughout the state in coming years." The paper further reported that, " {Link without Title} y '', Middletown , New York: January 6, 2006. Joseph Bruno said that he would even see the federal government's possible break-up of Amtrak as an opportunity to give New York State more say over its rail system.Eisenstadt, Marnie. " All Aboard! " ''Syracuse Post-Standard'', Syracuse, New York: November 18, 2005 Issues in constructing high-speed rail lines in New York The entire upstate network needs Electrification . Sections of the Hudson River route require straightening of the track route. Some portions, notably the bridge over the Harlem River, are presently operating on only a single rail. Most sections of the routes north and west of Albany share track with freight trains. Third or fourth tracks would be necessary to ensure continuity of high velocities on the route. PROPOSALS Other proposals involve extensions of existing corridors or cooperation with agencies in other states or in Canada. Montreal to New York City On October 6 , 2005 , the '' Albany Times-Union '' reported that New York Governor George Pataki and Quebec Premier Jean Charest "called for the creation of high-speed rail service between Montreal and New York City as a way to boost the regional economy during the third Quebec-New York Economic Summit on Wednesday," October 4 , 2005. The article claimed that New York was Quebec's main trading partner, which perhaps explains some of the interest in linking the two major cities.Rulison, Larry. "New York, Quebec seek high-speed rail link," ''Albany Times-Union''. Albany, New York: October 6, 2005. According to a report by the New York State Senate High Speed Rail Task Force, such a route would serve currently provides a passenger rail link between Montreal and New York City through Albany. Buffalo to Toronto New York State Assemblyman , 1999 The existing passenger rail link is served by Amtrak and VIA Rail . Other out-of-state connections New high-speed routes through from Albany to Boston and Buffalo to Chicago through Cleveland are also proposed, most likely along the general corridor of the current Amtrak services. Through service from Washington, D.C. to upstate New York is also proposed. These services would require heavy cooperation with other states and the United States federal government. Many civic and business leaders in '': June 4, 2006. SEE ALSO
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