Does Amtrak have dimensional standards for passenger car platforms? I'm planning my passenger station and want to build the platforms first. Are they at a certain height in relationship to the rails? How far is the edge from the centerline of the track? I'm specifically talking about the common low platform for their standard Superliner/Amfleet equipment (not the high platform in the NEC).
Purchase an NMRA guage:
http://www.micromark.com/nmra-gage-ho-scale,7530.html
Most train supply vendors will have them. It will answer all of the questions you are asking.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
It might not be Amtrak but it will give you someplace to start...
Probably not too much has changed. You could update it with the ADA bumpy strips along the edges.
BTW, Walthers modern railroad crossing kit comes with strips of bumpy textured plastic to simulate rubber crossings. With a little sanding and yellow paint I'll bet this would make a convincing "Safety" strip on your modern platform edge.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-3137
Have fun, Ed
I know for certain that some platforms have been modified to conform to standards that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I'm not sure whom you would ask, but there must be some Federal agency in charge of that. I'm sure those standards are published somewhere. Maybe your Congressman can help.
Metro Red LineBut I'm talking about (trying to) follow a prototype standard.
I Googled "US Passenger Rail Platform" and came up with hundreds of sites detailing present day ADA standards and many other specifics on both high level and low level platform designs.
for example...
http://www.tillier.net/stuff/hsr/TM-2.2.4-Station-Platform-Geometric-Design-R1-100630.pdf
http://www.greatamericanstations.com/planning-development/understanding-accessibility-requirements
Google is your friend... Ed
ACY I know for certain that some platforms have been modified to conform to standards that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I'm not sure whom you would ask, but there must be some Federal agency in charge of that. I'm sure those standards are published somewhere. Maybe your Congressman can help.
Low level platforms only require the bumpy line at the edge and one of them mobile lifts.
I know that ALX's platforms are in the same place as they've been for the last hundred years, despite having grown yellow bumps. I'd wager those B&O plans are valid still.
Also, Amtrak doesn't own the platforms at most non-NEC stations, so there's not really an Amtrak standard. Tracks-platforms-station ownership is sort of a mess.
Metro Red LineI have an NMRA gauge, thank you. But I'm talking about (trying to) follow a prototype standard.
If you have an NMRA Gauge, then you have the standards for platforms. Its built into the gauge. just look at the side and you'll see it.
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
It doesn't matter who owns the track. The ADA is Federal law, and it must be complied with. The standards involve the yellow platform edge, height, etc. Dimensional differences may or not be noticeable in O or S or HO scale; probably not in N scale. They may or may not match the NMRA's standard dimensions, which date back to the 1950's or earlier IIRC. But the prototype ADA standards do exist, and I think that speaks to the original question.
ACY It doesn't matter who owns the track. The ADA is Federal law, and it must be complied with. The standards involve the yellow platform edge, height, etc. Dimensional differences may or not be noticeable in O or S or HO scale; probably not in N scale. They may or may not match the NMRA's standard dimensions, which date back to the 1950's or earlier IIRC. But the prototype ADA standards do exist, and I think that speaks to the original question.
On the contrary, actually. The ADA addresses that exact topic. If the tracks are owned by a freight railroad, they're under no obligation to provide high level platforms and lifts are sufficient.
Nittany:
If you are correct, then I was misinformed. I don't think tourist/historic railroads are required to comply, and freight-only roads might have platforms in some locations but may not be required to comply. I thought both interstate and intrastate systems had to comply, but maybe I was wrong there, too. I can tell you for certain that platform mods at the Amtrak-owned Lorton, VA and Sanford FL stations have been very disruptive and expensive, and these changes were mandated by ADA.
The standards are national because the equipment (especially locomotives) has to be able to clear the platforms. Right now the indistry is developing "Plate L" clearances for locomotives and the biggest sticking point is clearance of the locomotive on passenger platforms.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com