[electricron]

Originally Posted by bobg

I live in Denver, was at most RTD public meetings, read all the impact statements and public materials. I don't recall altitude ever being mentioned.

What was mentioned often was the train frequency. RTD was planning on (and is curently) running their commuter rail at RER/S-bahn frequency levels. They did the math, and saw that at that frequency with projected fuel costs it made sense to electrify over the long run.

Because RTD isn't sharing tracks on the G, A, the open portion of the B line, and the under construction N line it was easy to electrify. If they ever are able to fully extend the B line they will have to share tracks with the BNSF and plan to use DMU's.

In short, as a generalization the more frequently you run commuter rail the more electrification makes economic sense. Obviously, if you are sharing tracks that may not always be feasible.

That reinforces what I wrote earlier, each transit agency and train company has to evaluate their own conditions and make their own decisions on what is best for them, not relying upon a one size fit all national mind set.