World manufacturers contend for building CA HSR sets

[schlimm]

http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/12/27/4303458_in-californias-high-speed-train.html?rh=1

[Wizlish]

The article references "220 mph" trains going from LA to SF 'nonstop in 2 hours 40 minutes'.  That implies an extremely circuitous route, or quite a bit of running well under 220 mph.  Who in the community here knows the reason for the given numbers?

[CMStPnP]

Wizlish

The article references "220 mph" trains going from LA to SF 'nonstop in 2 hours 40 minutes'.  That implies an extremely circuitous route, or quite a bit of running well under 220 mph.  Who in the community here knows the reason for the given numbers?

The steeper the grades and the sharper the turns the lower the construction costs..............that wouild be my guess.    Additionally, I believe the HSR trains will be sharing track with slower trains once they approach within a specific distance of either SFO or LAX.    Really doubt they will be HSR all the way to either station to start.    Maybe later they will pay for that but not initially.

[daveklepper]

SF - San Jose, or possibly Gilroy, they will use the ex-SP communter line, which will be electrified.   Doubt whether speeds will exceed 120mph on that portion of the run.

[schlimm]

The CA plan is to acquire trainsets off the shelf to save money.  Most of the manufacturers already make 220 mph equipment with many years of operational history.

[CMStPnP]

How does that song go......"ICE, ICE, baby"

[Jim200]

The California HSR design criteria manual lists the following:

"1.2.5 Design and Operating Speeds 

      A design speed of 250 mph is required where cost-effective and where topographic, geometric, operational, and environmental conditions permit. The design shall allow for sustained operating speed of 220 mph. 

   In areas where shared-use track is anticipated, such as San Francisco–San Jose and Los Angeles–Anaheim, the maximum design speed is 125 mph."

When the manual uses "shall", the spec is written in stone. The route is longer with long curves to avoid towns. At 250 mph the recommended curve radius is 45,000 feet, at 220 mph it is 35,000 feet. Going from Palmdale to San Jose should be very fast if the in-between stops are not made. 

[zkr123]

How sharp of a tilt do you think the trains will have?

[JoeBlow]

I live in Los Angeles, the HSR Authority is now talking about using a "mixed approach" whereby people would take regular rail to and from the HSR rail heads which would actually be located outside of both San Francisco and Los Angeles. At the HSR railheads, Burbank and Fresno are the popular candidates right now, people would have to physically move from one platform to another, much like switching flights.

 

Also, to the best of my knowledge, the HSR has never talked about sharing existing tracks. All HSR track and infrastructure would be free of any grade crossing a dedicated to the trainsets much like in Japan.    

[Buslist]

CMStPnP

How does that song go......"ICE, ICE, baby"

 

so we're getting an FRA waiver for them?

[Buslist]

JoeBlow

 

Also, to the best of my knowledge, the HSR has never talked about sharing existing tracks. All HSR track and infrastructure would be free of any grade crossing a dedicated to the trainsets much like in Japan.    

 

 

they have talked about sharing Caltrain's tracks for quite some time.

[Jim200]

zkr123

How sharp of a tilt do you think the trains will have?

 

Tilting trainsets will not be required for this new construction with large radius curves. The tracks are required to have no more than 0.05g lateral acceleration in a curve and 0.045g vertical aceleration for passenger comfort. The actual superelevation of the outside rail in a curve will be a maximum of 6 inches. At 220 mph in a curve with a radius of 35,000 feet, the superelevation would be between 2.5 in and 4.5 in. However, if the trainset could go 250 mph, the superelevation would need to be at least 4.25 in.