Denver commuter rail line

[blue streak 1]

RTD has finished the 45 MPH testing on the "A" line and is going to do 79 MPH testing.

 

RTD seems to be moving along fairly fast on the line's operation.  Still some station work to be done.  Agreat publicity stunt that would never happen would be for a couple ACS-64s to push pull a single level train out and back to the DEN airport.  There might be clearance issues preventing such.

Here is notice

RTD to now operate trains at maximum speed of 79 miles per hour along A Line After successfully testing at 45 m.p.h., commuter rail trains can now test at full speed; safety number one priority The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and its contractor Denver Transit Partners (DTP) will now be testing commuter rail trains along the East Rail (A) Line from the 40th & Airport Station to 40th Avenue and York Street at a maximum allowable speed of 79 m.p.h., which will continue through the rest of testing and into permanent operations. Although trains have been testing at 79 m.p.h along the Peña Boulevard stretch of the A Line for the last couple of months, the public can now expect to see the train traveling much faster through the crossings. Speed limits for the trains vary depending on where it is traveling along the alignment. No matter what the speed of the train, safety at the crossings and discouraging trespassing are RTD’s key priorities during testing. “Whether it is a freight train or RTD commuter rail train, it is imperative that the traveling public obey all safety signage and warning devices at the crossings and along the alignment,” said Greg Straight, RTD FasTracks Eagle P3 project director.  There will be flaggers at each intersection to ensure the safe crossing of pedestrians. The public is asked to be patient as RTD tests the trains through these crossings. The gate arms are scheduled to only be down two-to-three minutes, but for safety reasons the gate arms could stay down longer in order for RTD and DTP engineers to ensure that the intersections are safely cleared during this phase of the project. “We understand there could be some delays at these intersections so we ask for the public’s patience and want to make it clear that RTD’s number one priority is the safety of the traveling public and our staff,” Straight said. The public is reminded to: Never trespass! Stay on public sidewalks and roadways only – it is not only illegal to trespass on train tracks, but it can be harmful (or even deadly) to you and others. Always look both ways when getting ready to cross a train track, even if the red lights and gates are not activated. Follow all warning signs and signals at the crossings. If you see a train approaching, wait for the train to pass and the gates and lights to deactivate before you cross. Never try to beat a train! RTD’s trains are powered by overhead electrical lines – do not touch the wires! Remember, if they are up, they are live with electricity and can cause serious injury or death. For more information on this phase of testing commuter rail, contact Tara Bettale at [e-mail], 303.299.2641. Visit http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_242 for more safety information. FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit expansion program to build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. For more information, visit www.rtd-denver.com.

 

[blue streak 1]

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ep3_127

The line has gone to initial testing near the airport.  The CAT is not installed and activated except along Pena blvd to the airport. The cars had to be towed by track mobile to the airport station. Do not know if both tracks CAT activated yet.  Not all track is installed yet especially at the airport station + CAT along the route.  Have not found out when track work will be complete or CAT.  The general contractor has promised to give notice when it is 6 months to opening.  Several stations still need work and trains cannot travel thru them yet except by track mobile. Signals including PTC need installing and activation.  Remember how long some of the Sunset route activations have taken.  As well the few grade crossing signals are not working yet.  All this can be found in the following link. No indication when FRA will complete certification.  

 

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ep3_127

Wild thought.  If the line was finished enough for complete electrification and a late enroute ACS-64 was able to operate it would be interesting for the ACS-64 motor to power to Denver airport and back. Publicity stunt ?

 Video of Denver airport station with missing tracks to right.

http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/ec_64