Is there anyone on this forum in or around Autin,Tx? Can anyone provide info on Austin's light rail progress? Saw a pic of it in the June issue of Rairoad-Railfan Mag today...
Thanks in advance
videomaker wrote: Is there anyone on this forum in or around Autin,Tx? Can anyone provide info on Austin's light rail progress? Saw a pic of it in the June issue of Rairoad-Railfan Mag today...Thanks in advance
A consultant made a proposal to the Austin City Council for a light rail system. As I remember it, the initial line would run from the airport to downtown, then through town to UT, and connect with a proposed commuter rail station east of UT.
According to the Austin American Statesman, the city council's initial reaction was to push back at its estimated cost.
I am a proponent of light rail in selected instances where it makes sense. I worked to help pass the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) referendum, which paved the way for the most extensive light rail system in the southwest. But the cost of light rail, which can be daunting, has caused me to rethink whether it is the best solution. There are, in some instances, better options. One of them is rapid bus technology, which Capital Metro is planning to make greater use of in the future.
Now for the answer to your question, without political editorial.
Tracks have been upgraded, equipment is in town and being tested, maintenance facility is in place and operational, dual control switch andsignal systems are being installed and tested as are final touches on several stations, platforms, etc.
A flyover at McNeil is complete, and the double tracking of the bridge just outside of the Leander depot is being enginered at this time.
Target for startup is September-October 2008. Estimate to be on time for that opening.
4merroad4man wrote: Now for the answer to your question, without political editorial.Tracks have been upgraded, equipment is in town and being tested, maintenance facility is in place and operational, dual control switch andsignal systems are being installed and tested as are final touches on several stations, platforms, etc.A flyover at McNeil is complete, and the double tracking of the bridge just outside of the Leander depot is being enginered at this time.Target for startup is September-October 2008. Estimate to be on time for that opening.
The questioner asked about Austin light rail. The Leander to Austin route that will open late in 2008 or early 2009, according to Capital Metro, will run on The Austin Western Railroad. It is heavy rail. The equipment will be self-propelled diesel cars. Capital Metro does not define it as light rail, although it could be so called. The proposal for a light rail line in Austin was classified as light rail.
Commenting on the viability of light rail, or the suitability of rail for any environment, has nothing to do with politics. It is simply a statement of where rail may or may not be a viable solution. It is based on extensive involvement with the light rail system in Dallas. Clearly, it is a point of view.
The project, which was estimated to cost $90 million, is now well north of $120 million. And this assumes you buy some of the funny accounting adopted by Capital Metro. But that is another issue.
In my opinion, and based on watching a significant number of your previous commentaries, it was a political point of view and did nothing to answer the OP's question, which was about Austin light rail's progress, not about the trials and tribulations of its birth, or whether it is a good investment or viable in the future.
Thanks for answering the original question.
Sorry if you were offended.
4merroad4man wrote: In my opinion, and based on watching a significant number of your previous commentaries, it was a political point of view and did nothing to answer the OP's question, which was about Austin light rail's progress, not about the trials and tribulations of its birth, or whether it is a good investment or viable in the future.Thanks for answering the original question. Sorry if you were offended.
"A forum is a medium (as in a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas." What a respondent believes is a proper response, as long as it is not abusive, is his or her choice.
I will be happy to entertain suggestions from the Trains Forum editor regarding the suitability of my comments.
samantha:
TRE announced today effectuve today that they are extending one west bound rush hour train another stop because of overcrowding. Suspect that they are doing what they can with limited resources. Have any of your sources said anything?
blue streak 1 wrote: samantha:TRE announced today effectuve today that they are extending one west bound rush hour train another stop because of overcrowding. Suspect that they are doing what they can with limited resources. Have any of your sources said anything?
I don't know what is happening on the TRE, other than to say that I have heard that public transit ridership in the Metroplex is up about eight per cent from April 2007 to April 2008. I am going to Dallas tomorrow, so I will keep my ear to the ground and learn what I can.
The TRE has 13 RDCs. They augument the standard commuter equipment and are usually used for runs from Dallas to CentrePort, which is about half way between Dallas and Fort Worth. They only use about six of the 13 RDCs on a typical day, so it appears that they have some equipment on hand to expand the service, although if they expand it too much they would lose the back-up equipment.
It looks like a 4:53 p.m. train from Dallas to Hurst/Bell has been added to the schedule. I don't remember whether it was a Dallas to CentrePort train in the old schedule.
Although average 2007 ridership on the light rail system was down by 3.7 per cent in 2007 compared to 2006, ridership on the TRE increased by 4.2 per cent.
Ridership on the Capital Metro buses, which serves Austin, as well as several adjoining cities, appears to be up. Yesterday morning I counted 13 people on the bus from Leander to the University of Texas and downtown Austin. This bus has normally carried about six or seven Leander passengers. Coming home in the afternoon, there were about five standees on the bus from UT. I have never seen people standing on a mid-afternoon bus.
The park and ride lot at Leander appears to be fuller than has been the case. An amazing number of big SUVs and pick-up trucks dotted the parking lot.
Samantha wrote: The park and ride lot at Leander appears to be fuller than has been the case. An amazing number of big SUVs and pick-up trucks dotted the parking lot.
does this park and ride lot have public transit, or is just for carpoolers to congregate?
Patrick Boylan
Free yacht rides, 27' sailboat, zip code 19114 Delaware River, get great Delair bridge photos from the river. Send me a private message
gardendance wrote: Samantha wrote: The park and ride lot at Leander appears to be fuller than has been the case. An amazing number of big SUVs and pick-up trucks dotted the parking lot. does this park and ride lot have public transit, or is just for carpoolers to congregate?
The Leander Park & Ride is a Capital Metro transit center. It is served by four express bus routes that offer various express services to the University of Texas and Austin. Near the end of this year or early next year the Leander to Austin commuter rail will begin to operate. The Leander Transit Center will be the northwest terminus for the commuter rail route.
Rumor has it that the early rail service will be confined to the morning and evening rush hours with bus service during the day. How it plays out, I think, will be depend on the passenger loads.
This comes from a Texas rail enthusiast newspaper called the "Cowcatcher Round Up":
Capital MetroRail is on track for service to begin on the "Red Line" this fall. Six GTW, low articulated cars will transport passengers along a 32 mile route that includes 9 stations stops. The line will run on existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. Future connections are being studied along existing Capital Metro freight tracks from downtown to Manor and beyond. Future extensions along TxDOT's abandoned MoKan corridor are also possible. Capital MetroRail's initial service will be during morning and afternoon peak hours.
The 9 stations include: Downtown, Plaza Saltillo, M.L.King Jr, Highland, Crestview, Burnet, Howard, Lakeline, Leander.
There is also an article inside that I'm not going to take the time to retype. It tells about the railcars themselves and how certain safety features were called into question with subsequent redesigns.
Each car carries 225 passengers (108 seated, 117 standing) and feature luggage racks, high back seats, low floor entry and free WiFi. The cars are 134 feet long, 10 feet wide, and can reach 75 mph although currently the Federal Railroad Administration is trying to limit these trains to 60 mph which is 15 mph slower than was planned for a 5 mile stretch of the commute.
If you go look at all of the track, it is nicely upgraded. There are either steel or concrete ties with tie clips along the whole route. They got rid of the wooden ties everywhere the MetroRail is going to touch.
Hope that helps.
fredswain wrote: This comes from a Texas rail enthusiast newspaper called the "Cowcatcher Round Up": Capital MetroRail is on track for service to begin on the "Red Line" this fall. Six GTW, low articulated cars will transport passengers along a 32 mile route that includes 9 stations stops. The line will run on existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. Future connections are being studied along existing Capital Metro freight tracks from downtown to Manor and beyond. Future extensions along TxDOT's abandoned MoKan corridor are also possible. Capital MetroRail's initial service will be during morning and afternoon peak hours.The 9 stations include: Downtown, Plaza Saltillo, M.L.King Jr, Highland, Crestview, Burnet, Howard, Lakeline, Leander.There is also an article inside that I'm not going to take the time to retype. It tells about the railcars themselves and how certain safety features were called into question with subsequent redesigns.Each car carries 225 passengers (108 seated, 117 standing) and feature luggage racks, high back seats, low floor entry and free WiFi. The cars are 134 feet long, 10 feet wide, and can reach 75 mph although currently the Federal Railroad Administration is trying to limit these trains to 60 mph which is 15 mph slower than was planned for a 5 mile stretch of the commute. If you go look at all of the track, it is nicely upgraded. There are either steel or concrete ties with tie clips along the whole route. They got rid of the wooden ties everywhere the MetroRail is going to touch.Hope that helps.
They're going to have an interesting time with those steel ties, methinks. They don't hold surface and line too well, especially under high speeds.
RWM
Railway Man wrote: fredswain wrote: They're going to have an interesting time with those steel ties, methinks. They don't hold surface and line too well, especially under high speeds.RWM
fredswain wrote:
At Leander, at least, the steel ties appear to be confined to the station lead track and the station track. The main line has wood ties. I did not see any concrete ties near Leander, but they may exist at other points on the line.
According to an annoynmous source at Capital Metro, who is in a position to know, the most realistic start date for the rail service is late in the fourth quarter or early in the first quarter of 2009.
Greetings Forum members,
I may have not asked the right question ,I guess what I wanted to know is where and what days of the week are they testing the equiptment? I would like to get pics and video of it,then maybe come down and take a ride during the opening week...
Sorry for the misunderstanding...
Thanks 4merroad4man for your info..
videomaker wrote: 4merroad4man wrote: In my opinion, and based on watching a significant number of your previous commentaries, it was a political point of view and did nothing to answer the OP's question, which was about Austin light rail's progress, not about the trials and tribulations of its birth, or whether it is a good investment or viable in the future.Thanks for answering the original question. Sorry if you were offended. Thanks 4merroad4man for your info..
This was your original question: "Is there anyone on this forum in or around Autin,Tx? Can anyone provide info on Austin's light rail progress? Saw a pic of it in the June issue of Rairoad-Railfan Mag today..."
I responded regarding the proposal for a light rail line in Austin. The line from Leander to downton Austin is a commuter rail line running in a heavy rail environment. It does not fit the normal definition of light rail.
Your question did not mention coming to Austin to look at equipment, etc. It is hard to respond to a question that is not stated clearly.
Samantha wrote: videomaker wrote: 4merroad4man wrote: In my opinion, and based on watching a significant number of your previous commentaries, it was a political point of view and did nothing to answer the OP's question, which was about Austin light rail's progress, not about the trials and tribulations of its birth, or whether it is a good investment or viable in the future.Thanks for answering the original question. Sorry if you were offended. Thanks 4merroad4man for your info..This was your original question: "Is there anyone on this forum in or around Autin,Tx? Can anyone provide info on Austin's light rail progress? Saw a pic of it in the June issue of Rairoad-Railfan Mag today..." I responded regarding the proposal for a light rail line in Austin. The line from Leander to downton Austin is a commuter rail line running in a heavy rail environment. It does not fit the normal definition of light rail. Your question did not mention coming to Austin to look at equipment, etc. It is hard to respond to a question that is not stated clearly.
EXCUSE ME ! When I asked for information I certainally did not ask for everyone in Austins POLITICAL OPINONS ON THE SUBJECT now did I? BUT I GOT it ! A BUNCH, So please answer the question if you can ! Where is it being tested and what time of the week,days,nights evening are w/ends do they,are they testing the equiptment, whatever you want to call it, light rail, commuter rail, or horse drawn trolleys,Im not interested in anyones political views of what they think of it,just operation information... IS this specific enough?
videomaker wrote: Samantha wrote: videomaker wrote: 4merroad4man wrote: In my opinion, and based on watching a significant number of your previous commentaries, it was a political point of view and did nothing to answer the OP's question, which was about Austin light rail's progress, not about the trials and tribulations of its birth, or whether it is a good investment or viable in the future.Thanks for answering the original question. Sorry if you were offended. Thanks 4merroad4man for your info..This was your original question: "Is there anyone on this forum in or around Autin,Tx? Can anyone provide info on Austin's light rail progress? Saw a pic of it in the June issue of Rairoad-Railfan Mag today..." I responded regarding the proposal for a light rail line in Austin. The line from Leander to downton Austin is a commuter rail line running in a heavy rail environment. It does not fit the normal definition of light rail. Your question did not mention coming to Austin to look at equipment, etc. It is hard to respond to a question that is not stated clearly. Samantha, EXCUSE ME ! When I asked for information I certainally did not ask for everyone in Austins POLITICAL OPINONS ON THE SUBJECT now did I? BUT I GOT it ! A BUNCH, So please answer the question if you can ! Where is it being tested and what time of the week,days,nights evening are w/ends do they,are they testing the equiptment, whatever you want to call it, light rail, commuter rail, or horse drawn trolleys,Im not interested in anyones political views of what they think of it,just operation information... IS this specific enough?
A view on whether light rail is the best solution for area public transit has nothing to do with politics. It is an economics and technical issue.
Contact Capital Metro. They may be able to help you.
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