Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Roadrunner to Adorn Commuter Rail Cars

By Miguel Navrot
Journal Staff Writer
A striding red-and-yellow roadrunner won "oohs" and applause Monday from backers of a future commuter rail during the unveiling of its name and logo.
Gov. Bill Richardson announced the named "New Mexico Rail Runner Express" and revealed the railroad's design scheme.
Emblazoned on the steel trains is the image of a darting roadrunner. The colorful fan of its tail is pushed vertically, as in full stride.
"These trains have been designed to reflect New Mexico's vision and what we are today. Moving forward. Lean, mean, sleek," Richardson said at the Mid-Region Council of Government headquarters in Albuquerque. "It's already being hailed as a new standard for transportation design."
The governor is pushing aggressively a commuter train between Belen and Bernalillo by this autumn. Officials say a connection to Santa Fe won't happen for at least three years.
Richardson reported the Belen-Bernalillo line is on schedule. Station design and engineering is nearly complete for most locations. Next month, platform construction projects will go out to bid.
Eight stops are currently planned from Belen to Bernalillo, said Chris Blewett of the regional governments council.
On Monday, proponents of the train pointed to record-high oil prices and the everyday travel costs of private-vehicle commutes.
"When all is considered— gas prices, safety, wear and tear on vehicles, the beautiful vistas of our great state, reducing auto emissions— commuter rail makes sense," Richardson said.
Locomotives and railcars are under assembly— the last of which are expected for delivery by October.
New Mexico Rail Runner Express and the design emerged from a six-month, $75,000 effort, said governments council head Lawrence Rael. Six focus groups in various communities gave opinions on design proposals.
Local design firm Vaughn Wedeen Creative, whose clients include the Albuquerque Isotopes and Flying Star Café, crafted the design.
The roadrunner is New Mexico's state bird, a 2-foot-long carnivore that lives on lizards, scorpions and snakes.
Red and yellow, from New Mexico's bi-colored flag, arrived with the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. The locomotive face is crowned with a red Zia symbol.
The warm palette explodes inside the train cars. Seats are deep red with yellow highlights. Brown is used on internal paneling.
Estimated operation costs for the Belen-Bernalillo line are between $8 million and $12 million yearly. Federal, state and local government spending, as well as user fares, are expected to fund operations.
Copyright 2005 Albuquerque Journal

http://img133.echo.cx/img133/3260/albuquerquerail9fx.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Regional Context
The Belen - Santa Fe Corridor is the center of population and the economic, financial,
governmental, and educational heart of the State of New Mexico. This corridor is critical
for commuters, goods, tourism, business and government for nearly one million residents
and two million visitors every year. The corridor has many unique features, including
connections between the Albuquerque International Airport and the State Capitol in Santa
Fe; Seven Native American Pueblos are located within the corridor.
Albuquerque is part of an urbanized region stretching across four counties. As the
commercial, financial and educational center of the state, the population of the region has
almost doubled in the past 30 years to more than 740,000 (2002 estimate) and is predicted
to increase another 40 percent, to about 1,075,000, by 2025.
In the Santa Fe metropolitan area the population has more than doubled in the same 30-
year period to 142,500 and it is expected to increase another 60% to 228,000 by 2025.
While Santa Fe is a major regional employment center with over 79,000 jobs, (about
21,000 of which are government jobs) the lack of affordable housing forces much of the
workforce to live outside the city. The median home price in Santa Fe was $270,475 in
2003, nearly $100,000 higher than the national median. At the same time the median
household income is less than the national average. This has created a significant
commuter population traveling the corridor on a daily basis. Santa Fe is also a wellknown
tourist destination attracting between 1 and 2 million visitors each year. It is a
major factor in the economy of the state.
New Mexico’s population (2002) was estimated at 1,855,000, with about 774,000 jobs
statewide. The Albuquerque–Santa Fe corridor with 883,000 people is nearly half of the
state’s entire population. With over 443,000 jobs in the corridor, Albuquerque and Santa
Commuter Rail Status Report
5
Fe together provide nearly 60% of New Mexico’s employment. By 2025, population in
the corridor will grow by nearly 50% to more than 1,300,000 and under current plans,
will still have but one interstate highway connecting the two metropolitan areas.

http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/images/Documents/Commuter%20Rail/Commuter%20Rail%20Overview%20and%20Status%2004-11-05.pdf

Click above for the PFD documernt that tells everything abouth the railroad

http://img160.echo.cx/img160/7730/a14bc.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img160.echo.cx/img160/438/railrunnerinterior7eb.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Pictures of the first train car: http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/engines_and_passenger_cars.htm







Ground broken on Rail Runner
By Kate Nash
Tribune Reporter
November 1, 2005

BERNALILLO - When the governor told Lawrence Rael to look into the feasibility of a commuter train between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, he got right to work.
ON THE NE

GET ON BOARD

Here are the stops planned for the Rail Runner commuter train. Construction has started on the U.S. 550 stop only.

Belen: Near where the track meets Reinkin Road.

Los Lunas: Near the southeast corner of Courthouse Road and N.M. 314.

Isleta Pueblo: Where the railroad tracks meet Tribal Road 15.

Rio Bravo/Albuquerque International Sunport: Near the northeast corner of Second Street and Rio Bravo Boulevard.

Albuquerque: Downtown at the Alvarado Transportation Center, at the southeast corner of First Street and Central Avenue.

Paseo del Norte/Journal Center: Near the northeast corner of the railroad tracks and El Pueblo Road.

Sandia Pueblo: Near where the railroad tracks meet Roy Boulevard and N.M. 313.

Bernalillo: On the west side of the tracks, near Rinaldi Lane.

Sandoval County/U.S. 550: South of U.S. 550 on the west side of the tracks.

Source: Mid-Region Council of Governments



Rael lobbied the Legislature and tried to line up the millions he knew it would take.

The support wasn't there, much to the disappointment of then-Gov. Toney Anaya.

That was the early 1980s.

"There was interest, but everyone thought it was an idea whose time hadn't come," said Rael, a former deputy secretary of the state Department of Transportation.

That time came Monday, with the ceremonial groundbreaking that turned a patch of sagebrush and tumbleweeds into what will be one of nine stops for the Rail Runner, a commuter train that will connect Belen to Bernalillo early next year and from Albuquerque to Santa Fe by late 2008.

About 25 years after the idea was first studied, the Legislature, federal and local governments and Gov. Bill Richardson are on board with the plan.

"It's going to change the way we travel in New Mexico," Richardson said, standing where the first platform will be south of U.S. 550 and west of the railroad tracks.

The next station to be built will be near Paseo del Norte and El Pueblo Road, said Rael, now executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

The groundbreaking is a major step forward for transportation in the state, said Department of Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught, whose department has emphasized multimodal transportation.

"We've spent the last 20 years telling you how you can't get it done," she said.

The train is expected to relieve traffic congestion, not just in Albuquerque but along the middle Rio Grande region. The Rail Runner will stop at key areas, such as Downtown, near the Albuquerque International Sunport and at Sandia Pueblo.

The train is also expected to provide a ride to work for employees of Sandia Casino, said pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano.

"Finally, the Native American communities in the state are part of transportation in New Mexico," he said.

The cost of a round trip has not been set but is expected to run between $2 and $6.

The first phase will cost $75 million. Five locomotives and 10 passenger cars will service Belen to Bernalillo. The locomotives can hit top speeds of 110 mph, but the train will travel only as fast as 79 mph. The average speed will be between 55 and 60 mph.

Each car will seat about 140 passengers and will include a bike rack.

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/6488/train20with20rail20runner20sma.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The bombardier bi-level trains are nice. We have the originals up here in T.O. It seems though that yours are much nicer, and that road runner looks awesome on the side of the train.

Great news! Will it eventually go to Santa Fe then? How many miles is the first phase, and how much will it take to get from on end to another?

Great news! Will it eventually go to Santa Fe then? How many miles is the first phase, and how much will it take to get from on end to another?

http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/7582/railphase2cdalign20100520forwe.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Trains tp Santa Fe

The first major step in exploring the possibility of extending RailRunner service north to Santa Fe has been completed.
MRCOG and the New Mexico Department of Transportation have recently completed the Alternatives Analysis (use link in margin to view the draft study in PDF format). This analysis evaluated 17 different options for better connecting Albuquerque and Santa Fe, including new rail lines and additional roadway lanes.

The Community District Rail Alignment (pictured above) was recommended by the Technical Advisory Committee as the preferred alternative and has also been approved by the Santa Fe and Albuquerque Metropolitan Transportation Boards.

In the fall, additional environmental and engineering work on the preferred alternative will be conducted, followed by design and construction. The goal is to start commuter rail service by the end of 2008.

FINALLY!!! a thread about my beloved system here in Albuquerque!! :)


Construction has started on the Journal Center Station, the Enchanted Hills Station, and the Bernalillo Station.

Also....excavation has begun on the Rio Bravo Station........and of course....the Alvarado/Grand Central is already completed...and recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation.

The first phase extends from South Algodones in the north, to Los Lunas in the south in metropolitan Albuquerque....which is a distance of 53 miles. It continues on to the exurban community of Belen, which is another 8 miles south of Los Lunas.


42% of Belen commutes to Albuquerque, clogging up the valley roads such as Coors Blvd. and Broadway, and choking under-laned I-25 freeway.

86% of Los Lunas' workforce commute to Albuquerque, going to diverse places as Downtown, Journal Center, Kirtland/SNL, the Int. Airport, and the Heights. Over 150,000 cars crowd onto 4 laned I-25 South into Los Lunas every afternoon. If a concert is being held at Journal Pavilion, or if games are going on in the stadium district, the freeway becomes even more crowded. The rail line will help with congestion and commute time, which in the afternoon, takes the average commuter 50 minutes one-way from downtown Albuquerque, to Los Lunas, 12 miles away.

The metro station in Los Lunas, is 1.5 miles away from the massive I-25 Los Lunas exit and 6 Interchange. At this location, are-

Home Depot
Wal-Mart
High School
Wal-Mart Southwest Distribution Center
4 Hotels
Shopping Mall
12 screen Movie theater
12 Restaraunts including Chilis and Johnny Carinos
the MASSIVE Los Morros Business Park
the HUGE 8,000 single-family home Huning Ranch Subdivision
and the approved Six Flags of the Sun Amusemant Park.

It is essential that the metro rail line reaches Los Lunas, to provide another alternative for commuters wishing to reach this burgeoning southern suburb.

Also 1.5 miles away from bustling downtown Los Lunas, the Station will need improved pedestrian access and better road access.

Main Street in Los Lunas is already under construction, for the widening of the road and aditional lanes needed for the influx of cars into the area for the park and ride service.Pedestrian Bridges and Bicycle Lanes are already being put quickly into place, so people will be able to walk or bike from their relatively close homes, to the station where they will take a quick and comfortable 18 minute ride into downtown Albuquerque and points further north.

The actual interior view-

http://mrcog-nm.gov/images/Commuter%20Rail/Interior-view.jpg

This is not Amtrak?

This is not Amtrak?

No. Albuquerque's own commuter train.

http://www.musiccitystar.org/index.html

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The Regional Transportation Authority is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration and local government to bring commuter rail service to Middle Tennessee. Beginning in the spring of 2006, the RTA will use existing rail tracks to link commuters in a 32-mile corridor between Wilson and Davidson counties.

Commuters riding the train will enjoy a comfortable ride while saving on parking, gas and automobile costs. This commuting alternative will not only result in reduced stress for the commuter, it will reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and encourage economic development in our region.

http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/7532/eq100705images039kb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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- 40 former Amtrak locomotives
• Type: (B-B) 0440
• Weight: 260,000 lbs (approx) (118 metric tons)
• Horsepower: 3000 (2237kW with HEP generation)
• Engine: 645E3 16, turbocharged
• Cylinders: 16
• Full Speed RPM:893
• Standby Speed RPM: 720 Normal
• RPM: 410
• Low RPM: 260 Main Generator: AR10-D14
• Nominal Voltage (DC) 600
• Traction Motors: D77, DC, Series Wound
• Maximum continuous current:1050 Amperes
• Max T/E 225kN - 50000lbs #Est NoHEP
• Cont T/E 200kN - 45000lbs #Est HEP
• Driving Wheels: Number 4 pair, diameter 40"
• Maximum speed: 103
• Minimum continuous speed: 16.3

http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/6876/starimages091aa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
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http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/9576/starimages076zh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Stats for railcars
• Eleven bi-level gallery railcars:
1. Four cab cars (with cab controls)
11’6” wide x 15’11” tall x 85’0” long

2. Seven coaches (passenger cars only)
10’0” wide x 15’11” tall x 85’0” long

• Acquired through transfer of federal interest
from Chicago Metra

• Single and double throw-over and retractable
theatre type seats

• Manufactured by Pullman Car Manufacturing Company
during the 1960’s and rebuilt by Chicago Metra in 1999-2000

• Will be modified to become ADA compliant including wider
entryways, wheelchair securements, and a bridge plate
system to be used with mini-high platform at stations

• Seating capacity is up to 150-160 per car, after
ADA modifications

http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/2752/rtatransitmap54hp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Over time, the RTA hopes to expand commuter service to a regional transit network linking downtown Nashville with the following areas:

* Northeast (Briley Parkway, Hendersonville and Gallatin)
* East (Hermitage, Mt. Juliet and Lebanon)
* Southeast (Hickory Hollow, LaVergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro)
* South (Brentwood, Cool Springs, Franklin and Columbia)
* West (Belle Meade, Bellevue and Kingston Springs)
* Northwest (Northern Cheatham County including Ashland City)
* North (Robertson County including Springfield)

http://www.trimet.org/commuterrail/stations.htm

http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/852/railmap3bt.gif (http://imageshack.us)

Background

In 1996, a feasibility study for a commuter rail line was initiated by Washington County, the cities of Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilsonville and Sherwood, TriMet, Metro, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The project, which would establish a new 14.7-mile passenger rail line between Beaverton and Wilsonville, has received strong support from the public and business community. It is one of the few suburb-to-suburb commuter rail projects in the country.

Because the line uses existing freight tracks in a dedicated corridor, there would be minimal construction impacts.

Passengers would ride in self-propelled diesel train cars. TriMet is working with Colorado Railcar to design and build the vehicle.

Proposed route

The proposed 14.7-mile line will share freight train tracks with the Portland & Western Railroad in eastern Washington County. The line will serve five stations in Beaverton, Washington Square, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville.

Service frequency & travel time

Commuter Rail will operate weekdays every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. The trip from Beaverton Transit Center to Wilsonville would take 27 minutes. Train speeds will average 37 mph, with a top speed of over 60 mph.

Ridership projections

Average daily ridership is estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 trips by 2020, with half of the riders new to transit.

Cost & funding

The $103.5 million project will be funded by:

*
$51.75 million in federal funding
*
$35 million from state lottery bond proceeds
*
$10.25 million from the Metro Transportation Improvement Program
*
$6.5 million from local cities and Washington County

TriMet and Washington County will contribute a total of $4.1 million toward annual operating costs.


Project timeline
Winter 2005 Full Funding Grant Agreement
2006 Construction begins
2008 Service begins

http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/9471/commuterrailfull8zc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Washington County Commuter Rail line would use self-propelled diesel trains, similar to this concept drawing, to carry passengers between Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville.

http://www.northstartrain.org/

Introduction

The Northstar Corridor is an 82-mile transportation corridor which runs along highways 10 & 94 from downtown Minneapolis to the St. Cloud/Rice area. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) studied transportation options for the Corridor. After analyzing all possibilities, they recommended Northstar Commuter Rail as the best transportation alternative for this corridor.

Northstar Commuter Rail Proposal
Facts and Figures

The Northstar Corridor, which runs from the Big Lake area to downtown Minneapolis along Highway 10 & I-94, is the fastest growing area in the state.

Length: 40 miles

Number of Stations: 6

Est. Daily Ridership: 5,600 trips

Service Begins: 2009 - With Your Help!

Capital Cost: $265 million (FY 2008) (50% federal, 33% state, 17% local)

Car Capacity: 150-162 seated (additional space for standing available)

Amenities: Work tables, on-board restrooms, individual seating, power outlets.

Top Speed: 79 mph

Base Service: 8 morning, 8 evening trains, one midday round trip and limited weekend and special event service

Connections: Feeder buses to stations, Hiawatha LRT in downtown Mpls.

Accessibility: Fully ADA Compliant

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http://www.dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/commutermap.html

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http://www.dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/onepagers/northstar.html#nsmap

http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/3172/northstarmap044zh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The rail line (ABQ) will now be underground in the north valley from just north of Montano to just south of Journal Center.


Standard fares are expected to stand at $2.50 round trip.


The station at Isleta will be helpful in getting commuters from theis suburb into Los Lunas and the South Valley.....two major shopping and work destinations for Isletans. Priorities for Isleta Pueblo include-

Improved access from Broadway South to the station itself.

Greater economic potential surrounding the station, specifically retail and possible housing oppurtunities.

And public transportation links from the station area to Isleta Casino, Isleta Golf Course, and Isleta Lakes.

Only 13% of Isleta's workforce commutes to Albuquerque, and 45% to Los Lunas. However, the Casino and concerts held at the exhibition center, plus Isletas very own unique recreational oppurtunities draw well over 750,000 people per year.

the design on the side of the train is hot. really cool...

first time i'm hearing of albuquerque on these forums!! Nick u must be proud :)

It's good that the state looks forward to public transit and that's a good start, however the train itself looks somewhat obsolete and heavy for a commuter train by world's standards.

http://images.nycsubway.org//i10000/img_10506.jpg
This is NYC commuter train

Yes but ours are double-decked. :)............and we expect upwards of 65,000+ per day....on a single line. :)

See Mike...arent you the least bit interested? :).................you must be proud too ;)

hehe...no its good to hear. Hope that the new systems that they are putting place in durban will be as good when they start implementing them before the 2010 world cup.

How much you wanna bet that this comes nowhere near the ridership they expect????? I would be willing to bet that it is not the success people are hoping for!!! Not enough population density to support it! It is great that they are building it though. Can't wait until Denver gets ours going along the frontrange! Much larger population base to support it.

LOL...........typical attitude.

And Albuquerque has plenty of population "density" to support it, and given the success of the Express Service along the Central Corridor......I wouldnt be surprised if we surpass that ridership within a few months of operation.

I DO however think it is silly and foolish to continue the rail link to Santa Fe.....not enough commuters, and tourists are going to want to drive their own cars, so they can explore the mountain areas north of Santa Fe.......and now the Governor is talking about future expansion all the way to the Colorado Border!!!...How fu*king stupid!!!....That one group in Colorado...who wants rail travel all along I-25 from Cheyanne to Albuquerque......dumb-ass idea.

The Denver light-rail....when I lived there.....people were pessimistic and thought it was a white-elephant...but now it is a great success........so I think the rail here in Albuquerque will be the same way.......we Definately have the population-base to support it.

Yes but ours are double-decked. :)............and we expect upwards of 65,000+ per day....on a single line. :)
That estimate wasn't in the article, where did you find it? I doubt it's that much, considering the ridership of similar commuter rail lines.
About the density, I don't think it will matter that much, most people drive to commuter rail.
BTW, will this be another one of those peak-only operations or will it provide off-peak service as well?

@chris9, unfortunatley most NA commuter rails are diesel only, they're too cheap to invest in electrification, so they use these bulky diesel locomotives with slow acceleration and expensive fuel.

mad nick-


This will not only be peak-only operations, but will run throughout the day from 6 am to Midnight (10 pm in the wintertime). And you are also right, most people will drive to the park-and-ride stations, except for two. Downtown and Jornal Center (esp. downtown) are pedestrianised and mixed-use (including residential), that a large percentage of the commuters LEAVING from these stations will walk.

The estimate is based on current ridership of Albuquerques bus system, the HUGE success of the Express Line, several polls, and projected population growth. Many figures have been mentioned in passing in news articles, on the evening news, amongst architecture firms, the city planning commision, the Urban and Transport PLanning board at UNM (where I am involved) and by the mayor himself. I would absolutely post the links, however, apparently Albuquerquians dont believe in updating websites or posting information online. So as soon as I get a link, I will provide it. :)

Personally, I think we will have a terrific breakout inaugural ride, then the first few months might show slow growth, and then I forsee the ridership really taking off in mid-summer next year. :)

Btw my names also Nick lol.;)

mad nick-

What are some other commuter rail ridership figures? Initially the estimate sounded a bit high to me, but then, when I did a feasability study and really thought about it.........its really not too far off an estimate I dont think..........hell, I betcha 2,500 people from Belen commuting north would ride it alone per day!

^ For small systems like this, with just one line, ridership ranges from less than 1,000 to about 10,000 / weekday.
Los Angeles Metrolink handles about 36,000 trips/weekday, Chicago's METRA 281,000 and NY area commuter rail (LIRR,MNR,NJT) handles about 800,000.

For 65,000 / weekday on a single line, you'd need a lot of trains. If a single train carries about 2,000 people (assuming 10 cars, and including standees), that's 32.5 fully loaded trains / day. Now consider that most trains won't be nearly as packed and off-peak trains carry a fraction of the maximum capacity. It would probably require at least 50 trains / day IMO, and that seems somewhat unfeasible for an upstart. (and if they're really going to run that many trains a day, they should really invest in electrification as it would be a lot cheaper in the long run and would allow for shorter headways)

As I said! Alb. is a little metro, and does not have the population base to support the numbers suggested (65,000).

Yeh, I bet starting off.......we would be doing good with 16,000 per day. Many people wont use the rail strictly for inner city-suburban commute only. There will thousands of people running from Journal Center to Downtown mid-day, and many toruists will use this also mid-day, going from the Museum District, Airport, and the Massive Hotel area of Journal Center. All the people going to the two Casinos also.............ridership of course will have up and downs.......but the busiest times would be summer and the Balloon Fiesta in October.


This is the reason its so silly to continue the train to Santa Fe.......there is no need for it, not enough people will ride the rail to Santa Fe to make it worth the cost.

http://bayrailalliance.org/maps/comparison/

$4 billion for rail to Silicon Valley: how much will it buy?

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/2316/b2sj4cr.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/6426/b2sjsamecost5vv.gif (http://imageshack.us)

The Northeast Corridor Interactive Megalopolis:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/3570/necorrid9er.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://bayrailalliance.org/maps/comparison/

$4 billion for rail to Silicon Valley: how much will it buy?

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/2316/b2sj4cr.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/6426/b2sjsamecost5vv.gif (http://imageshack.us)

The Northeast Corridor Interactive Megalopolis:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/3570/necorrid9er.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Yep, bart is extremely expensive compared to commuter rail. But i think people in San Jose want to say they have a subway and will thus pay for it anyways. Assuming they get the $1 billion in federal funding, of course

http://www.ct.gov/dotinfo/lib/dotinfo/nhr/images/map.jpg

http://img445.imageshack.us/img445/6379/map6li.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is great news! :happy:

Now this needs to be complemented by a light rail network within Albuquerque so that you can go to places downtown once you get off commuter rail. In this respect, more and more people will be enticed to leave their cars at home, are at least at commuter rail stops.

:yes:

A light rail system has already been planned and passed by the counicil...work is expected to begin within the next 4 years (a BIG THANK YOU to Martin Chavez!!)

However, there is some odd construction going on in Old Town by the Museum District.........looks much like a light-rail is being put in place...crosses fingers. Its not unlike the city to just start something overnight, much like they did with the restriping of Montano Bridge.

The light rail system is planned for 4 lines-

One from the International Airport to downtown.
A link from the Zoological Gardens, through Old Town and the Museum District, into downtown.
A cross metro line along the Central Ave. and Lomas Blvd. Corridors.
And a north-east line into Midtown.

A light rail system has already been planned and passed by the counicil...work is expected to begin within the next 4 years (a BIG THANK YOU to Martin Chavez!!)

However, there is some odd construction going on in Old Town by the Museum District.........looks much like a light-rail is being put in place...crosses fingers. Its not unlike the city to just start something overnight, much like they did with the restriping of Montano Bridge.

The light rail system is planned for 4 lines-

One from the International Airport to downtown.
A link from the Zoological Gardens, through Old Town and the Museum District, into downtown.
A cross metro line along the Central Ave. and Lomas Blvd. Corridors.
And a north-east line into Midtown.

:happy:

do you have a map?

:happy:

http://www.abqrtp.com/pages/transit_tech.html

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/8084/abqsim11lc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/9775/abqsim23on.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yep, bart is extremely expensive compared to commuter rail. But i think people in San Jose want to say they have a subway and will thus pay for it anyways. Assuming they get the $1 billion in federal funding, of course

What exactly is it that makes BART so much more expensive?

http://bayrailalliance.org/maps/comparison/

$4 billion for rail to Silicon Valley: how much will it buy?

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/2316/b2sj4cr.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/6426/b2sjsamecost5vv.gif (http://imageshack.us)

The Northeast Corridor Interactive Megalopolis:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/3570/necorrid9er.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Every 15 min is not frequent. BART is like a subway so it's frequency would be every 2-5 minutes during peak. Intercity rail certainly makes sense in other areas

^ on the bundled lines in San Francisco, yes, there is frequent service. But for the individual lines, it is less frequent. Every 15 minutes.

From www.trains.com

Stand back: New Mexico's Rail Runner clears last hurdle :)

ALBUQUERQUE � The state of New Mexico's top attorney has signed off on a $75 million state railroad right-of-way purchase transaction, clearing the way for the Rail Runner Express commuter train, backed by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, according to story in the Albuquerque Journal.

State Attorney General Patricia Madrid's conditional approval means the commuter trains could start rolling by late May or early June. The route will be on newly state-owned trackage, purchased from BNSF Railway. The first service will be round trips between Albuquerque and Bernalillo, 20 miles north, said Mid-Region Council of Governments executive director Lawrence Rael. Rail service south to Belen likely will come by mid-summer, said Rael, whose agency has spearheaded much of the project.

"We've got a contractor on board to build stations. We've got a contractor on board to run the trains. We've got all the pieces in place that had been on hold while this decision was made," Rael said after Richardson's announcement.

Richardson, in a written statement, said Madrid's green light "removes one of the last big barriers to a fast, clean, and affordable commuter-train system in New Mexico."

While Madrid's February 28 legal opinion concludes that the joint-use agreement between the state and BNSF is "lawful under the laws of the state of New Mexico," it also lists several changes that need to be made.

BNSF spokesman Pat Hiatte said early Thursday evening that the railroad was reviewing the matter "even as we speak." He added that BNSF anticipates moving toward closing the deal to allow the Rail Runner to begin service.

The state and BNSF in December celebrated the track purchase � one vital piece of Richardson's $393 million plan to start a commuter service to ultimately link Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. As initially written, it would give the state about 300 miles of railroad between Belen and Trinidad, Colo.

SEPTA expected to approve 104 new regional rail cars
A Korean-Japanese consortium appears to have wrapped up the $244
million contract.
By Larry King
Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer

SEPTA's board is expected to approve a $244 million contract next
week for a Korean-Japanese consortium to build at least 104 regional
rail cars over the next four years.

A staff recommendation that SEPTA accept the bid by United Transit
Systems was made public yesterday.

The contract would be the largest investment SEPTA has ever made in
regional rail vehicles, and would increase its fleet by 31 cars. The
rest of the new Silverliner V cars would replace 73 aging rail cars
that date to the 1960s.

"The ridership on the regional rails is so heavy, we owe it to the
public to move this along," SEPTA general manager Faye Moore said in
an interview. The net gain of 31 cars "should help us eliminate some
of the standers" during peak times, and will leave room for ridership
to grow, she said.

More than 106,000 passengers take SEPTA's regional trains on
weekdays. According to the transit agency, that number has been
increasing by about 3 percent annually.

SEPTA's board is scheduled to vote Thursday on the contract.

The UTS proposal was more than $52 million lower than an offer from
Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., the only other bidder.

The Silverliner V project had been delayed for two years after
Kawasaki sued SEPTA for selecting UTS from a group of four
manufacturers in 2004. Kawasaki contended in the lawsuit that UTS was
inexperienced and technically inferior, and that SEPTA had improperly
switched its standards during the bidding to favor UTS.

Kawasaki dropped the lawsuit after SEPTA agreed to redo the process.
There was no indication yesterday whether Kawasaki might mount
another challenge. Its marketing director, Jitendra Tomar, did not
return a call seeking comment.

In a recent interview, however, Tomar had said he expected the UTS
bid to be lower than Kawasaki's.

"We of course have to make a minimum profit," he said. "To actually
get a contract is easy, but to perform the contract is much more
difficult."

UTS is a consortium of the Sojitz Corp. of America - a subsidiary of
a Tokyo-based firm - and Rotem Co., a South Korean manufacturer. Last
month, Rotem won its first contract to build U.S. rail cars: a $176
million pact with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority.

Rotem also has built thousands of rail cars for foreign transit
systems.

Most of the manufacturing would be done in South Korea. But final
assembly of the SEPTA and California rail cars would be done at a
site leased by UTS at the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

The Philadelphia site eventually will employ at least 200 workers,
UTS project manager Hatsuhiko Kageyama said.

Three pilot cars will be due within 21/2 years after UTS receives
final approval to proceed. The last of the fleet should be delivered
within four years.

SEPTA also has an option in the contract to buy up to 16 additional
cars to accommodate ridership growth.

Asked about a possible challenge from Kawasaki, Kageyama said he
hoped his competitor "is sensitive to the needs of the public, the
people. They really are in dire need of new equipment."

UTS and Kawasaki submitted their proposals in December. Both were
reviewed by a SEPTA technical committee, which found both companies'
proposals acceptable, and deemed both companies able to carry out the
contract.

That was a switch for UTS, which had received the lowest technical
rating of the four companies evaluated in 2004. This time, its rating
was on a par with Kawasaki's.

Inflation has taken a toll, however. UTS's proposal was $8 million
higher than its 2004 bid. And Kawasaki's proposal ballooned by $46
million over its 2004 offer.

Each new Silverliner will have about 10 fewer seats than the car it
replaces. It will have fewer three-seat rows, larger windows, wider
aisles and doors, and better heating and air conditioning, according
to SEPTA. Each will have room for two wheelchairs.

SEPTA's staff also has recommended that an outside engineering
consultant, STV Inc., be awarded an $8.1 million contract to ride
herd on the project. Neil Patel, SEPTA's contract administration
director, said STV would help SEPTA management oversee the
engineering and construction of the new Silverliners.

Contact staff writer Larry King at 215-345-0446 or
lking@...

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/5086/7corridors3xx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.corridorone.info/index.html

Description
The Corridor One project seeks to implement regional rail service along existing rail facilities within the south central Pennsylvania region, linking Lancaster with Harrisburg and the West Shore communities of Cumberland County.

Capital Area Transit (CAT) and the Modern Transit Partnership (MTP) are working together to provide the region with a true multi-modal transportation system; a way to connect bus routes, local roads, highways and other means of transportation. A major component of this system is regional rail service along Corridor One.
Purpose

The purpose of the proposed Corridor One project is to provide improved mobility and accessibility for people and goods within the corridor and, more broadly, south central Pennsylvania.
Needs

The need for the development of regional rail in Corridor One is based on transportation and land use characteristics that affect overall mobility and access in the region.

* Growth: Population and employment in the region is expected to increase by 27% and 44%, respectively, by 2020. Based on existing land use patterns, this growth will increase the level of commuting from the fringes of the region into Corridor One.
* Travel demand: At a regional level, total vehicle miles traveled are estimated to double between the years 1990 and 2025. Without major transportation improvements, the result of this growing travel demand will be increased traffic congestion and an increase in trip duration.
* Freight movement: Corridor One and the surrounding region are a major eastern U.S. freight movement hub, due to the region’s significant highway and rail infrastructure. Between 1990 and 2020, regional rail freight traffic is expected to increase by 30% and truck travel by 40%. This growth will place additional demands on the currently congested highway system.

Background, Phase II Transit Alternatives Study Corridors

Planning and analysis activities related to the proposed Corridor One regional rail system have been ongoing since 1993. Five studies were conducted:

*
Phase I Transit Alternatives Study, 1993.
* Phase II Regional Transit Alternatives Study, 1996.
* Transportation Investment Study, 1998.
* Federal Transit Administration New Starts Application, 2001.
* Transitional Analysis, 2002.

The result of these studies was the identification of a regional rail service in Corridor One from Lancaster to East Mechanicsburg as the locally preferred alternative for improving mobility and accessibility in the region.


Current Phase, Goal

This phase of the Corridor One project involves the completion of preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for the locally preferred alternative.

Preliminary engineering examines alternative ways of implementing the preferred solution, producing a firm definition of the scope of the project. The preliminary engineering preformed at this phase is necessary to complete an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the project, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.

This phase of the project will be considered complete when the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a record of decision (ROD) or finding of no significant impact (FONSI), as required by NEPA, and when CAT has demonstrated to FTA its technical and financial capability to advance the project into the next stage of development.
Objectives

* Development of a detailed estimate of total project costs, including capital expenditures and operation and maintenance requirements.
* Identification of the effect of the project upon the natural, social, cultural and transportation resources of the local and regional community.
* Selection of a rail technology and development of a preliminary rail operating plan.
* Determination of station location and preliminary station design.
* Development (in coordination with local municipalities) of a transit-oriented land use development strategy to encourage mixed-use economic development surrounding proposed stations and throughout the Corridor One region.
* Development of a preliminary transit management plan for providing transit connections between modes.
* Completion of a funding plan to demonstrate the dedication of sufficient operation and maintenance resources.

Alternatives

This phase of the project is focused on a detailed assessment of the actual implementation of regional rail within Corridor One. The alternatives being evaluated are:

* The no-build alternative
* The locally preferred alternative

The no-build alternative assumes no development of regional rail and a continued dependence on existing transit services and highway facilities to move people and goods in the region.

The locally preferred alternative assumes the development of regional rail service within the Corridor One area as an alternative to automotive passenger vehicle travel to reach employment and other destination areas within the corridor.

West of the Harrisburg Transportation Center, the proposed project would utilize a combination of restored and existing Norfolk Southern rail line to provide service. Existing rail traffic on this line is currently used exclusively for freight transport. Five new passenger stations would be constructed along this western segment. These stations would be located at:
Harrisburg Hospital

* Harrisburg Hospital
* City Island
* Lemoyne
* Route 15
* East Mechanicsburg

East of the Harrisburg Transportation Center, the project would use existing AMTRAK rail line within the Keystone Corridor to provide passenger service to Lancaster. This service would utilize the existing passenger stations in place at:

* Harrisburg International Airport (currently under construction)
* Middletown
* Elizabethtown
* Mount Joy
* Lancaster

No major physical changes to the existing stations east of Harrisburg are envisioned for the project.

Project Schedule

* Preliminary engineering and environmental studies phase – complete mid 2004
* Final engineering design phase – complete mid 2005
* Construction phase – complete late 2005 to mid 2007
* Lancaster to Harrisburg service – operational mid 2006
* East Mechanicsburg to Harrisburg service – operational in 2007

Project Participants, Project Team

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

The Federal Transit Administration is one of eleven modal administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. FTA is involved in all aspects of public transit, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, monorail, passenger ferry boats, trolleys, inclined railways, and people movers. FTA's participation in this study is through their Region 3 office, located in Philadelphia. FTA provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems.

Capital Area Transit (CAT)

CAT, legally known as the Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority, is the Harrisburg metropolitan region's provider of mass transportation services including CAT bus service and other transit services.

The Modern Transit Partnership (MTP)

The Modern Transit Partnership (MTP) is a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes public transportation with the ultimate goal of bringing regional rail to Central Pennsylvania. Launched in 1997 by the CAT Board of Directors, this partnership is made up of business, community, government and individual members who strive to develop a regional transportation plan that will meet tomorrow's transportation and infrastructure needs.
Consultant Team

Gannett Fleming, Inc.

Gannett Fleming, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm with a reputation for excellence. Established in 1915 and based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, the firm's volume of work currently places them among the top 50 engineering firms in the country.

Gannett Fleming has vast experience in all modes of transportation, including the engineering of transit systems across the United States. Gannett Fleming is the leader of the consultant team, with overall project management responsibility and leadership of the performance of the preliminary engineering and environmental services for this study.

Sacunas & Saline

Sacunas and Saline is a full-service marketing, public relations and research firm, serving clients on regional, national and international levels. Headquartered in Harrisburg, the firm is the largest full-service public relations and marketing firm between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Sacunas and Saline will provide extensive public involvement support for this study.

ASC Group Inc.

ASC Group is a cultural and environmental resources management company with regional offices located in Pittsburgh and Hershey, Pennsylvania. ASC has one of the largest full-time cultural resource professional staffs in the country. ASC has extensive experience in Pennsylvania providing cultural resource management services for transportation and water resource projects.

ASC Group will provide cultural resource management services as part of the environmental studies being conducted for this study.

Sarah J. Siwek and Associates

Sarah J. Siwek and Associates provides consulting services in the transportation field, specializing in the development and execution of strategies for funding, approval and implementation of surface transportation projects.

Sarah J. Siwek and Associates will participate in the development of the Corridor one financial plan, the parking management strategy, and station area development tasks of the study.

Dawood Engineering, Inc.

Dawood Engineering, based in Enola, PA, is a multi-disciplinary, professional consulting firm specializing in civil engineering, environmental services, geographical engineering, land development, and surveying services. Established in 1992, Dawood Engineering has participated in public and privately funded projects throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

Dawood Engineering will provide surveying and geotechnical services for this study.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.

Parsons Brinckerhoff brings a wealth of experience in the development of transit systems to the team. PB has been involved in the development of transit systems throughout the Mid-Atlantic states, including rail systems in New York City, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metro area.

PB will participate in station area development, focusing on transit-oriented development strategies and in the architectural design of the proposed new stations.

LTK Engineering Services

LTK is one of America's oldest and largest rail transportation consulting firms. LTK has worked behind the scenes at virtually every rail transit system in the United States, and many international systems. Based in Ambler, Pennsylvania, LTK's assignments cover all phases of project development, from preliminary planning through revenue operation.

For this study, LTK will lead development of the rail vehicle design and operations and development of the fare collection system, and play a major role in establishment of working agreements with AMTRAK and Norfolk Southern railroads.

Crossgates, Inc.

Crossgates, Inc. provides a full range of professional real estate services in development, construction, property management and consulting throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with headquarters in McMurray, Pennsylvania, and a Central Pennsylvania regional office in Harrisburg.

For this study, Crossgates, Inc. will assist in evaluating options for station area development.

Main Line Rail Management Services, Inc.

Based in Havertown, Pennsylvania, Main Line Rail Management Services provides operations, marketing, financial, appraisal, management and business consulting services to the rail and transportation industry.

Main Line Rail Management Services will provide the team with expertise in rail right-of-way appraisals and acquisition planning.

RH & Associates, Inc.

RH and Associates specializes in value engineering and partnering, bringing a strong track record of innovation and creativity to the team. Their participation will assist in the development of a logical, balanced and defensible strategy for the implementation of future transportation investments in Corridor one.

RH and Associates will provide value engineering services for this study.

Umm, when did this turn into the "Commuter Rail Proposals in the US and also BART extension" thread?

Umm, when did this turn into the "Commuter Rail Proposals in the US and also BART extension" thread?

Post other stuff if you want

Regional Context
The Belen - Santa Fe Corridor is the center of population and the economic, financial,
governmental, and educational heart of the State of New Mexico. This corridor is critical
for commuters, goods, tourism, business and government for nearly one million residents
and two million visitors every year. The corridor has many unique features, including
connections between the Albuquerque International Airport and the State Capitol in Santa
Fe; Seven Native American Pueblos are located within the corridor.
Albuquerque is part of an urbanized region stretching across four counties. As the
commercial, financial and educational center of the state, the population of the region has
almost doubled in the past 30 years to more than 740,000 (2002 estimate) and is predicted
to increase another 40 percent, to about 1,075,000, by 2025.
In the Santa Fe metropolitan area the population has more than doubled in the same 30-
year period to 142,500 and it is expected to increase another 60% to 228,000 by 2025.
While Santa Fe is a major regional employment center with over 79,000 jobs, (about
21,000 of which are government jobs) the lack of affordable housing forces much of the
workforce to live outside the city. The median home price in Santa Fe was $270,475 in
2003, nearly $100,000 higher than the national median. At the same time the median
household income is less than the national average. This has created a significant
commuter population traveling the corridor on a daily basis. Santa Fe is also a wellknown
tourist destination attracting between 1 and 2 million visitors each year. It is a
major factor in the economy of the state.
New Mexico’s population (2002) was estimated at 1,855,000, with about 774,000 jobs
statewide. The Albuquerque–Santa Fe corridor with 883,000 people is nearly half of the
state’s entire population. With over 443,000 jobs in the corridor, Albuquerque and Santa
Commuter Rail Status Report
5
Fe together provide nearly 60% of New Mexico’s employment. By 2025, population in
the corridor will grow by nearly 50% to more than 1,300,000 and under current plans,
will still have but one interstate highway connecting the two metropolitan areas.


Okay I don't get it. How is Albuquerque NM getting commuter rail and light rail
(as I read in another post) and the Raleigh-Durham area can not get any mass transit. The RDU metro area has as many people as the ENTIRE state of New Mexico (2002 estimate for New Mexico). We are the 10th fastest growing area in the nation (2005 census for counties) and no mass tranist. What is Raleigh NC doing wrong? We even got the director of the Denver Transit to head up the project. Still just rejection letters from the US Congress. Is this New Mexico project paid by federal money or not?

Anybody live in Albuquerque and seen this train running?

I take it all the time!! Its rather nice. :D....more coming soon including pictures of packed double-decked cars. ;)

http://www.nmrailrunner.com/news_biodiesel.asp Railroads official Website

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Rail_Runner_Express


http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6294/railrunnerra5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Rail Runner commuter train switches to biodiesel

Posted Aug 1st 2006 6:08PM by Sebastian Blanco on Autobloggreen.com
Filed under: Biodiesel, Transportation Alternatives


The commuter train Rail Runner Express in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is making the switch over to biodiesel, but a lot of the details have not been released yet. The Express, which currently only runs a 20-mile stretch between Albuquerque and Bernalillo, started operating a few weeks ago and officials are already talking about the high cost of operating the train on regular diesel. The switch to biodiesel will save about 30 cents a gallon, according to Rail Runner officials. While New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said, "I am committed to promoting clean renewable energy in New Mexico. The Rail Runner is fast and clean, and - with the switch to biodiesel - it will be green as well", exactly when the biofuel will be put into service and what percentage biodiesel blend the fuel will be was not announced.

Late Update - Augusta Meyers, Communications Manager of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, emailed an answer to my question about what type of biodiesel in going to be put into the trails. She said it is B20, supplied by Amigo.

[Source: Rail Runner via AP]

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Fast becoming a familiar sight: Rail Runner trains at the Downtown Albuquerque station
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/news.asp

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/4972/openingdaygl8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wireless Internet Access

Coming March, 2007

Soon after service begins, you will be able to enjoy seamless wireless internet access. Log onto the internet at any Rail Runner station, then board the train and ride it to your destination while working, shopping on-line, emailing, or just surfing the web.

Other Amenities

Other Rail Runner amenities include full restroom facilities and very comfortable seats so you can actually catch some additional Z’s on your way to work or school. You will also be able to bring food and drink on board with you to make your trip even more enjoyable.

Commuter Rail A 'Go' In Central Florida

http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/6996/bushwatsonra7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://www.golynx.com/?pid=1155998

Florida Governor Jeb Bush came to LYNX Central Station aboard a demonstration model rail car to announce an agreement that will get commuter rail on the tracks in Central Florida by the year 2009.

The $491 million agreement will be a partnership involving the state and CSX Transportation, the private company that owns the tracks along the proposed route.

CSX will receive $150 million for use of the tracks and more than $300 million from a pool of federal, state and local money to improve infrastructure and expand capacity on its tracks throughout the state of Florida.

In return, Central Florida will receive access to 61 miles of CSX tracks. The proposed route will run from Deland at its northernmost point, through downtown Orlando and on to Poinciana, south of Kissimmee at the southern end.

“This is a win, win, win for citizens of Central Florida, for businesses of Central Florida and the people who serve both of them,’’ Bush said. “Commuter rail will ease congestion and improve the quality of life for people both on and off the road.’’

LYNX Chief Executive Officer Linda Watson, who earlier in her career helped the Dallas Area Rapid Transit get its rail system going, was enthusiastic about the announcement.

"This is a huge step forward for Central Florida in addressing our growth and traffic problems,'' Watson said. "The community has been looking for better transportation options and this gives us a lot of momentum in giving them those options.

Watson was at the "demo stop" to greet Bush and a large group of project supporters that included U.S. Congressman John Mica, U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown and CSX Transportation President Michael Ward.

“Congresswoman Brown and I have found that working together we can achieve just about anything for the people we represent and this is a great, great achievement,’’ Mica said.

“I’d like to thank Michael Ward and CSX for being such a responsible corporate citizen,’’ Brown said. “This is the beginning for people who commute to change the congestion we have on I-4 so that we can move the goods and services on our roads where it makes sense for Florida.’’