QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper Commuter rail lines are lot cheaper than light rail IF the raiilroad line already exists and can accomodate the commuter trains without disrupting freight service or with modest incremental improvements. However, building a brand new commuter railroad line will be more expensive than light rail because light rail can share lanes with autos and other traffic in specific situations while commuter rail is always completely separate and with new lines probably grade separated as well. The magnetic track brake applied to PCC cars and all subsequent well-designed light rail cars allows them to reliably come to a stop as fast as an automobile. For commuter rail to have this capability, the line would require mu-car operation with magnetic track brakes on each car, and then it would not be much different than a light rail line. The South Shore and the IC Suburban South Chicago Branch still have some limited street running, and they are the only commuter operations in the USA that have such street running. They are electrified. And they are not new. And both operations have gradually reduced street running. The South Shore (when I used to ride it) had street running in South Bend, Michigan City, and Gary, and now it is only in Gary. Modern light rail lines use there own lanes whenever practical. But street running is a possibility where alternatives would be expensive. It is a good question whether the term "street running" applies when the line is in the street, but the lanes used are only for light rail. And what about only for light rail and buses?
Have fun with your trains
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QUOTE: Originally posted by dldance while there is about 2 blocks of street running on the current Austin ROW - I think in the final plan that will be converted to dedicated rail ROW. We have noticed the the Houston plan has generated too much business for the body shops. dd
QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer This proposal reminds me of the proposal Southern Pacific made in the 70s,to abandon thier commuter service and buy thier customers vans so they could vanpool to work.[:(!]They said this would be cheaper than running the trains.
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