High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program (USA)

[M II A II R II K]

As high-speed rail gains momentum, U.S. can look to Europe's example

Read More: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed...216-story.html

Most of the debate over the building of the nation's first bullet train, in California, has focused on the economics of such a monumental undertaking and its projected $68-billion first-phase price tag. Largely ignored amid the excitement over the railway's recent official groundbreaking — on a vacant lot in a depressed industrial area of Fresno — is the physical impact and design challenges that cities will need to grapple with as they prepare for high-speed rail.

- In the U.S., the introduction of new rail systems has not necessarily been an upgrade for surrounding areas. This is clearly demonstrated in Southern California, where often-subpar Metrolink station locations and a lack of foresight in planning have confounded efforts to activate development around them. Commuters passing through Metrolink's Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs or Commerce stations have little reason to linger in the car-centric wastelands surrounding these transit hubs.

- To make the most of California's once-in-a-lifetime chance at building a thriving transportation network, cities need to focus not only on the design of stations and their immediate surroundings but on the area extending half a mile around the station, the municipality at large and the broader region.

- The stations should, of course, facilitate efficient and seamless travel but also serve as a destination for citizens who may come to shop, eat at restaurants or visit a theater or museum housed there. Many European rail stations do this quite well. For example, Madrid's Atocha high-speed railway terminal — built as an extension of the city's historic station — houses cafes, restaurants and a lush indoor tropical garden. In Germany, Leipzig's central train station incorporates a multi-story shopping promenade.

- Though high-speed rail stations need to include luggage and waiting facilities similar to those in airports, their design should stray from airports' in one major way. Airports are essentially in a bubble, cut off from the city, while railway stations should link to the adjacent urban fabric.

- Parking structures should be scattered throughout and hidden as much as possible, linked to the station by shuttle services or moving sidewalks. Private automobiles should not be the only means of accessing the station; California has much to learn from the interrelatedness and ease of access that characterizes rail stations in Europe and East Asia. Many are adjacent to bus terminals, host bike- and car-sharing facilities and are purposely an easy walk away from shopping and major attractions such as convention facilities and cultural centers.

- Planning also needs to take into account the wider municipal and regional context and assets. For example, Anaheim needs to encourage development of its recently opened transportation center as a hub with easy connections to its landmark neighbors: Angel Stadium, the Honda Center and Disneyland.

- Smaller cities should engage in complementary planning with bigger cities that are stops on the rail network and seek to identify productive relationships with newly accessible neighboring areas. For instance, a city such as Palmdale may be able to create affordable housing for workers who commute to downtown Los Angeles, because that destination would be only 30 minutes away by high-speed train.

.....

[Nexis4Jersey]

some photos from Wednesday

New Substation in Hamilton


Traveling along the Northeast Corridor - New Substation in Hamilton,NJ by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr


Traveling along the Northeast Corridor - New Substation in Hamilton,NJ by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

Catenary hole equipment


Traveling along the Northeast Corridor - New Catenary Poles by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

[Nexis4Jersey]

Some NEC progress taken from yesterday

High Speed Crossovers


High Speed Crossovers by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

New Poles


014 by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

New Pole Pieces


015 by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr


016 by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

More Concrete track segments


017 by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

on the PA side


Northeast Corridor in Levittown,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr


Northeast Corridor in Levittown,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

[scalziand]

Metro North is going to be doing repairs this month to the Housatonic Rail Bridge on the NEC requiring bustitution of the Waterbury Line.

http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2015/...cal/871360.txt

[Nexis4Jersey]

Northeast Corridor viewed from the SilverLiner V rear window in PA

1.

Northeast Corridor in Torresdale,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

2.

Northeast Corridor somewhere in PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

3.

Northeast Corridor somewhere in PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

4.

Northeast Corridor somewhere in PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

5.

Amtrak Silver Meteor #97 Rocketing down the NEC in PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

6.

Northeast Corridor in Croydon,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

Croydon Station

7.

Northeast Corridor in Croydon,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

8.

Northeast Corridor in Croydon,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

9.

Norfolk Southern in Croydon,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

10.

Northeast Corridor in Bristol,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

11.

Northeast Corridor in Morrisville,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

12.

Northeast Corridor in Morrisville,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

13.

Northeast Corridor in Morrisville,PA by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr


Trenton Cut

14.

Northeast Corridor in Trenton,NJ by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

15.

Northeast Corridor in Trenton,NJ by Nexis4Jersey09, on Flickr

[Busy Bee]

Nothing new to most of you, but a good overview type read nonetheless:

National Review: "Why Can't America Have Great Trains?"

[ardecila]

^ National Journal, not National Review. Big difference!

[Busy Bee]

^youre telling me.

[Ryanrule]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Nothing new to most of you, but a good overview type read nonetheless:

National Review: "Why Can't America Have Great Trains?"

in short, republicans.

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by Ryanrule

in short, republicans.

Legislatively, yes. But there are plenty of Dems that "don't get it" either. Many are in favor of "more funding" but don't seem to understand that what's needed and necessary is a paradigm shift in transportation policy that mirrors the investment and vision of the space program.

[ardecila]

^ Space program might be stretching it a bit, but such a shift in thinking is unavoidable so long as America's best and brightest keep moving to cities. That elite class holds the most political power, and they will only put up with shitty/ineffective transit for so long.

Some cities will keep pushing autocentric policies until they choke, but others (LA, Seattle, Denver, etc) have already started to move forward on needed transit even if the Federal government cannot provide support.

Intercity rail is a big of a different beast, since cities can't go it alone. We have to rely on states, and even stalwart Illinois is losing some momentum on rail thanks to Rauner. Thankfully private companies are stepping up, as the article points out. Texas Central and All Aboard Florida are the big ones. Let's see if we can get one in the Midwest.

[Nexis4Jersey]

I think Metro North is getting ahead of itself?


Bullet Train at SoNo Station? by Corey Best, on Flickr

[Busy Bee]

I'm glad they're calling it a "train station" because if it just said station I'd have no idea what it was.

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

I think Metro North is getting ahead of itself?

Aspirations are good in life...

[202_Cyclist]

Virginia bets on higher-speed rail by 2025

By Luz Lazo
Washington Post
June 4, 2015


A study to build high-speed rail between Washington and Richmond, is part of a larger larger higher speed intercity passenger rail plan for the Southeast. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

"If traffic is smooth on Interstate 95, driving is the quickest way to get from Richmond to Washington — even faster than taking the train, which can take up to 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Virginia transportation officials say they want to cut that train ride to 90 minutes, make passenger train travel more reliable and attractive to travelers in the corridor, and increase capacity.

And they want to make that happen by 2025...."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-rail-by-2025/

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

Aspirations are good in life...

The train featured debuted 50 yrs ago...so its abit outdated...

[Nexis4Jersey]

Acela 2?

[Busy Bee]

Awesome. Definetely looks like a Siemens Velaro. Looks like a variation of the e320 for the Eurostar.

My personal opinion, when the new Acela trainsets finally do happen, I'd like to see a new paint scheme, the current is starting to look kinda tired... Solid blue or red would look killer.

[northbay]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

Acela 2?...

Looks really good!
Pic link?

[BrownTown]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

"If traffic is smooth on Interstate 95

So basically never?