Quote:
Originally Posted by electricron
Denver RTD uses a mix of light rail and EMU trains, depending mainly on sharing the tracks or not with freight trains, along with who owns the tracks. At a mile above sea level, it’s thinner air affected their decision on using DMUs or EMUs. Most American cities are not located a mile above sea level. New York City also discourages using DMU or diesel locomotives and it is located at sea level, but access to Manhattan using mostly tunnels resulted in a local law encouraging electric power over steam and diesel locomotives. Both Denver and New York City have different reasons why because of different physical conditions, conditions not found elsewhere in America.
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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.