You are correct, in a way.

There is a federal agency (imagine that) that grades railroad facilities as to maximum allowable speeds allowable on any given section of track. Among the things that they consider are the age and condition of the track work itself; the “degree” of the curves and how they are banked; the number and types of crossings and how they are “guarded”; up-grades and down-grades; the surroundings (urban, suburban, rural); amount of rail traffic; and a slew of other items. I won’t strain my brain trying to list them all, because I think of the readers here (being among the brightest around) already get the idea. To restore, realign, or upgrade the actual rails, ties, tie plates, fish bars, ballast, etc., and to raise and tamp the track to bring it up to snuff is actually the easiest and cheapest part of preparing for a higher speed rating than most of the other items, assuming that the “line” and “grade” of the track and the “crossings” are all within acceptable limits of the new rating. (That is, the curves have a large enough radii and the slopes are not severe, and the lines-of-sight and signaling are adequate.)

But there is another reason why I say that someone who is actually familiar with these sorts of projects should be included by the city, instead of just the usual bunch of politicians, headline-grabbers, and know-it-alls.

Whoever said that we will be forced to build a new station is correct!!!

The mayor, and all of his minions may THINK that our historic Middletown train station is just perfect for the purpose, and that its existence is an asset and a strong point in our favor, but as a matter of fact, it simply is NOT, and wishing will not make it so!!!

I will state quite confidently right now that, except possibly for an infrequent special occasion, the existing Middletown train station (the one between Central and Manchester, and between University and Charles) will NEVER be used, in its present form as a regular stop for passenger rail service. I hedge this statement ONLY by adding that IF the modifications REQUIRED for it to be used as such are allowed by the Grand Pooh-Bah of the Commission on Landmarks and Historic Structures allows it, he will be forever exposed as a phony, and both his position and the entire commission must be forever banished from our fair city!!! The ONLY way it could happen is to MOVE the entire structure (either as a whole, or brick by brick) and move it nearly a mile, or more up line or down line from its present location. This would remove it COMPLETELY from our idyllic former downtown with all of the restaurants, shopping and hotels that our mayor so lovingly extolled.