drephpejdamelio-- While a high platform will certainly help you at PHL, you must remember that it will not clear a freight car, so installation of high platforms out in the hinterlands, particularly on joint freight lines (single or double track) would require installation of a cost-prohibitive gantlet track on the active platform track(s) so that the freights can be shunted off to the side away from the platform for clearance. This track must be longer than the platform and would require power switches and interlocking, for a cost (nominal 1000' platform) of about $600-800K per track, or more. And there are other issues. For instance, here in TX such a high platform cannot be built legally except on a dedicated passenger station track; construction on a joint freight track violates the Texas Clearance Law. Technically, we have trouble with even 8" TOR platforms, but some in that range may have accidentally occurred. And, above Orlando (in your area) that high level platform like at PHL would not work with the Superliners on 1&2. Nor would it work south of West Palm, because it blocks the doors on the TriRail bilevels.
Please excuse my ignorance but I honestly don't quite understand how a high level platform doesn't meet freight car clearances. Are freight cars wider than passenger cars?
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
ROB,,,
Can’t help you the problem. But I haven’t been by there for almost a year and was wondering how the restoration was going ??
For anybody interested, here’s a couple pictures of the platforms
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/20268/title/nbound-cn-passing-the-mattoon-2cil-station/cat/500
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showphoto.php/photo/19910/title/rail-fanning-2c-mattoon-2cil-/cat/500
mike
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Robs Caboose: I have some good news / bad news information. Someone did not do their homework. According to the Amtrak web site your group is not responsible for the platforms but since the city owns the station it is fully responsible for the station building.
Source?
1. Gp to Amtrak. com
2. Click on Government affairs
3. Click reports and documents
4. Click "PRIIA submissions and reports
That will lead you to the report (read it carefully especially the appendicies)
A few facts in the report
Matoon had 32,818 passenger off and ons for FY 2010 an average of 2734/ month.
Matoon is responsible for station and parking facilities.
CN is involved somehow.
Amtrak is controlling agency of exact design of platform and any ADA compliant items. Please beware and do not do anything until they approve in writing!!!!!!!
So read the report, copy it, and then go to the city and ask why they did not know this?
While I am not in construction, or any related field, for that matter, I do believe that the angle/pitch/slope of the ramp is important? I know that's what I've come across several times recently when I was looking to acquire one. The materials kept referring to commercial buildings, etc. Good luck; I think it can be quite complicated but, as other have said, well worth it! P.S. I know; I need them!!
Nance-CCABW/LEI
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” --Will Rogers
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right! --unknown
Just finished installing tactile surface in Pittsburgh. Milled existing platform and recessed tiles, a much better installation method I believe. Amtrak has different preferences for tactile surfaces depending on where the stations are located. Some are okay with tiles, some prefer the two part mix method. The width is two feet and there is a requirement for striping and stencilling in addition to the tactile surface.
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken QUOTE: Originally posted by artmark Mudchicken... What mean ye by "lose to ADA?" My wife has MS and everywhere that has become ADA compliant makes her "win." Mitch Fortunately the pendulum has started to swing back to the middle ground. "Lose" as in killing a project because of a quadrupling of project cost (public benefit does not increase 4 times as well, which creates BIG problems for Rob.). "Lose" as in lose control of a local project to outside forces. and in this case, " Lose" your hypothetical argument with Amtrak and the State of Illinois over a platform that most likely will never be used and will incur additional costs over time and is a hazzard to the freight operation's employees. . I am not against ADA in concept, but I am against the abuse of the statute by a few narrow-minded activists lacking in common sense. (Reasonable accomodation?, portable lifts lose out to expensive monoliths?)
QUOTE: Originally posted by artmark Mudchicken... What mean ye by "lose to ADA?" My wife has MS and everywhere that has become ADA compliant makes her "win." Mitch
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