California High Speed Rail Thread - Page 196

sopas ej · #**3901** Posted **May 18, 2023, 2:18 AM**

I thought this was interesting, and I felt it was an even-handed/objective report.

jmecklenborg · #**3902** Posted **May 19, 2023, 4:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej

I thought this was interesting, and I felt it was an even-handed/objective report.

It was a relatively fair report, but the European consultant was just plain wrong in his assertion that the project should have started and the ends and moved toward the Central Valley.

First of all, the project *has* begun at the north end, with the electrification of the Caltrain operation between San Francisco and San Jose.

Second, the only places where the trains will operate at their maximum speed will be the mostly u/c 150~ miles in the Central Valley and a short stretch of about 20 miles between Tehachapi and Palmdale.

To begin construction of a "high speed rail line" in San Francisco or in Los Angeles with no place to run the trains faster than 125mph would have soured the public. In fact, there would have been no reason to buy high speed trains.

SFBruin · #**3903** Posted **May 19, 2023, 4:53 PM**

I think it's true that having a grade-separated rail line down the CV will be an asset for CA.

Busy Bee · #**3904** Posted **May 19, 2023, 4:56 PM**

Yeah, aside from the electrification of the peninsula, had they "started at the ends" likely the only thing they'd currently have to show for it - and use as a promotion of the project to the general public - is a stalled basin tunnel construction. Talk about handing "tunnel to nowhere" propaganda to the dipshit naysayer crowd.

jmecklenborg · #**3905** Posted **May 19, 2023, 5:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFBruin

I think it's true that having a grade-separated rail line down the CV will be an asset for CA.

The starter HSR segment ought to have 100% on-time operation, meaning any missed connections in Merced to ACE and San Joaquins will be the fault of the connecting services.

Link to a hi-res PDF: http://calurbanist.com/wp-content/up...orcal_rail.pdf

TWAK · #**3906** Posted **May 19, 2023, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

The starter HSR segment ought to have 100% on-time operation, meaning any missed connections in Merced to ACE and San Joaquins will be the fault of the connecting services.

Link to a hi-res PDF: http://calurbanist.com/wp-content/up...orcal_rail.pdf

Dang, they left out SMART and the possible Napa/Solano line.

https://www.northbaybusinessjournal....on/?artslide=2

^this one is huge

202_Cyclist · #**3907** Posted **May 19, 2023, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWAK

Dang, they left out SMART and the possible Napa line.

There is also a study to extend commuter rail north to Chico.

https://www.chicoer.com/2023/02/18/p...mmuter-trains/

TWAK · #**3908** Posted **May 19, 2023, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

There is also a study to extend commuter rail north to Chico.

https://www.chicoer.com/2023/02/18/p...mmuter-trains/

I did not know about this...

Here's a better look @ Napa and Solano:

Source

jmecklenborg · #**3909** Posted **May 21, 2023, 6:08 AM**

Interesting...it appears that the CAHSR tunnels will be roughly the same diameter as the u/c HS2 tunnels in England. However, because HS2 will operate narrower and shorter trains that comply with England's much tighter loading gauge, their trains will be able to operate significantly faster:

More:

My guess is that the 225mph speed thrown around regarding CAHSR is similar to the strategy for HS2 - it's a higher speed that allows behind-schedule trains to catch up.

Busy Bee · #**3910** Posted **May 21, 2023, 1:27 PM**

I would expect CAHSR to operate in the drag zones of the CV at or about the global HSR speed standard of 300kmh or just under 190mph. I've read that 200+ really starts to push the juice suckage through the roof and its deemed more energy efficient to operate normal revenue service sub-200mph. Even the Chinese are realizing this. Of course since the project has a design speed of 220mph, it still allows higher speeds to catch up with timetables.

jmecklenborg · #**3911** Posted **May 22, 2023, 2:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

I've read that 200+ really starts to push the juice suckage through the roof and its deemed more energy efficient to operate normal revenue service sub-200mph.

This article argues that high speed rail is roughly 10X more energy efficient than passenger jets:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/fast-train...st#toggle-gdpr

nito · #**3912** Posted **May 22, 2023, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

Interesting...it appears that the CAHSR tunnels will be roughly the same diameter as the u/c HS2 tunnels in England. However, because HS2 will operate narrower and shorter trains that comply with England's much tighter loading gauge, their trains will be able to operate significantly faster:

My guess is that the 225mph speed thrown around regarding CAHSR is similar to the strategy for HS2 - it's a higher speed that allows behind-schedule trains to catch up.

High service operating speeds have little to do with the dimensions of the train, but the track geometry, electrical supply and signalling systems.

HS2 will use two rolling stocks; a captive (continental HSR) 400m stock that is limited to HS2, and compatible stock (able to run on conventional lines) and 200m long. As is common across the UK railway industry, the compatible stock will operate in pairs (i.e. 200m+200m) at peak.

Busy Bee · #**3913** Posted **May 22, 2023, 3:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

This article argues that high speed rail is roughly 10X more energy efficient than passenger jets:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/fast-train...st#toggle-gdpr

You're missing the relatively minor electric usage point I'm trying to make. Every highly detailed HSR article I've ever read usually mentions that revenue speeds above 200mph taxes the traction power system inna way that usually lowers the overall efficiency. Revenue operation in the range of 175-185 mph is ideal for power draw in a way that 200+ is not.

deanstirrat · #**3914** Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 5:09 PM**

California High Speed Rail Authority has published new rendered animations of high speed rail trains entering and leaving an upgraded LA Union Station:https://twitter.com/i/status/1671025448669839364

Busy Bee · #**3915** Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 6:12 PM**

LAUS needs a huge glass train shed that encapsulates all these platforms. It needs a singular architectural statement. This just looks like a collection of platforms leaving passengers baking in the sun.

MAC123 · #**3916** Posted **Jun 20, 2023, 6:16 PM**

I thought that was the plan all along. Look at the previous renders for this project.

Besides the station itself tho, the area around it is pathetic. It should look like the rest of DTLA