Sunrail Commuter Rail System

[jzquince69]

great update. thanks.

Is RBT like the Lymmo line in Orlando with a dedicated lane, and, like Metrobus in Miami down just south of Dadeland along US-1?

If so, the interesting thing in Orlando is that they proposed expanding the Lymmo RBT line but alos threw in there a comparison cost estimate if they decided to expand and also convert the dedicated bus lanes to a rail trolley system instead. It was, of course, more expensive.

The RBT in Orlando- Lymmo works well especially during game nights. I think if they ran different kinds of buses, it might be more popular, like those British double decker buses or those double-cab buses that bend in the middle like a passenger train. Those would be pretty cool;

I'm going to check those links later on tonite.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

great update. thanks.

Is RBT like the Lymmo line in Orlando with a dedicated lane, and, like Metrobus in Miami down just south of Dadeland along US-1?

Sadly, no the MetroRaapid service will not have dedicated lanes. A few areas will have dedicated lanes at the busies lights. It will have special stations (glorified bus stops) with a pullout for the bus, "next bus" LCD display, special branding on the bus (Gillig BRT model with MetroRapid wrapping), stop light changing ability on the bus, and a few other enhancements such as running frequently (10 min headways in rush hour, 15 min otherwise). Really it is just an enhanced bus service as opposed to true BRT/RBT service. However, it is a big step up for the city in terms of service on the busiest bus route.

Steve

[jzquince69]

Personally, I think that if they made better bus stops (anything more than a sign post hammered into a bunch of dried out weeds in a gravel-like sandy edge of the curb), that more people would use them.

There's a few stops in CFLA that are nice, which also have bus turn-off lanes, but that's the minority of stops. I've been told that the stops that are the most improved are that way b/c of donations from community groups and other private organizations. Not the case always, as most of the nice stops in CFLA that I've seen have come about as part of roadway improvements on those routes. 192 is one of those roads that comes to mind.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

Personally, I think that if they made better bus stops (anything more than a sign post hammered into a bunch of dried out weeds in a gravel-like sandy edge of the curb), that more people would use them.

There's a few stops in CFLA that are nice, which also have bus turn-off lanes, but that's the minority of stops. I've been told that the stops that are the most improved are that way b/c of donations from community groups and other private organizations. Not the case always, as most of the nice stops in CFLA that I've seen have come about as part of roadway improvements on those routes. 192 is one of those roads that comes to mind.

Good points. I know here the agency (HART) has been installing real stops on several key routes (39 and 36) that have higher ridership, and the stops with higher boardings are getting the shelters. They funded those themselves, but advertising is helping to defray the cost.

Steve

[jzquince69]

I think here in CFLA, once Sunrail starts service and they change some routes and add some feeder routes, some of the station placement and quality will change in some of the suspect areas, because the bus transit will be directly tied into a larger comprehensive system... it follows...

[jzquince69]

I just read an article in the OBJ from maybe a month ago about Downtown Orange County proposing dedicated bus lanes up and down I-Drive and a pedestrian bridge from Peabody to OCCC West.

I didn't read anything stating the bus lanes would go north of SLR. It seems that its just for the immediate area around the OCCC from SLR to Westwood. The article wasn't very specific otherwise.

[ukiyo]

I'm really interested in the "LYNX central station" since it will be the closest one to me. I wish that the commuter rail went to the attractions instead of the HSR, it makes more sense since it would be cheaper and the distance isn't that great for a need for HSR..

[SkyDiveJunkee]

It will one day be crucial to effectively link the attractions area to downtown, but right now this is a start. The commuter rail will do a very important thing, it will bring development closer to the spine of the Orlando metro, along historic lines and ultimately will help to curb sprawl. There are several extension possibilities along the historic railway lines, including a spur out the Lake County/Mount Dora, as well as a spur out to Winter Garden. New dedicated rail/light rail, would have to be built to get out to the attractions area.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Things are moving right along: http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...859200^3269021

[SkyDiveJunkee]

SunRail set to buy trains: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,1778821.story

[jzquince69]

that naysayer on the diesel locomotives... I've never heard of electric CRT trains; besides, you've got to wire the whole track like an LRT with overhead, and that's going to cost major money to build and power. I thought diesel was the plan from the getgo anyway. What was this business of self-propelled rail cars?

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

that naysayer on the diesel locomotives... I've never heard of electric CRT trains; besides, you've got to wire the whole track like an LRT with overhead, and that's going to cost major money to build and power. I thought diesel was the plan from the getgo anyway. What was this business of self-propelled rail cars?

Electric powered CRT trainsets are reasonably common. I believe most of Metra in Chicago is electric, same goes for the NY area. However, diesel locomotive is FAAARRRR more common.

The self propelled trainsets were diesel multiple units, similar to an EMU trainset but diesel powered. Similar to the trains being used in Austin and a few other areas.

Steve

[jzquince69]

what's TriRail got?

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Tri-Rail is diesel.

Comparisions between Tri-Rail and SunRail:

Tri-Rail is an 18 station, 72 mile system that runs from West Palm Beach to Miami International Airport primarily along the I-95 corridor. It is primarily a park and ride system in a suburban setting. It links up to MIA and Miami's metromover.

SunRail will be a 17 station system, along a 61 mile stretch from Deland to Poinciana (with an additional spur to OIA), running along existing track through historic town centers. It will be a mix of park and ride (Poinciana, Sand Lake Road, Meadow Woods, Deland) transit oriented development, and pre-existing urban centers (Kissimmee, the downtown Orlando stops, Winter Park, Maitland, Altamonte). At OIA, it will link up to high speed rail.

I am interested in this comparison from a social perspective. With SunRail running along a more historic route (as say to running down I-4 with stops), will this spur infill in the town centers (particularly Kissimmee, the Orlando stops, Winter Park, Maitland, Altamonte Spring) and will it begin to focus development back within the "spine" of Orlando Metro instead of the fringes?

Tri-Rail Map:


SunRail Map:

[ukiyo]

Those are going to be the trains for sunrail..?? It's a letdown..

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Why a letdown? They seem pretty standard to me.

[ukiyo]

I was hoping something like in Japan or Atlanta/DC. The picture for the Sunrail trains look like from the 1950s!

[kevinkagy]

Just one small correction, Tri-Rail doesn't link to Miami's Metromover directly, you'd have to transfer via Metrorail, it does however link to Metrorail directly. Once the Miami Central Station is finished, it'll link Amtrak, Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Greyhound, MIA Mover (airport people mover), and all car rental facilities under one roof.

[alex7677]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

Just one small correction, Tri-Rail doesn't link to Miami's Metromover directly, you'd have to transfer via Metrorail, it does however link to Metrorail directly. Once the Miami Central Station is finished, it'll link Amtrak, Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Greyhound, MIA Mover (airport people mover), and all car rental facilities under one roof.

somewhat similar to the HSR station at orlando international
i like this idea of Big Central Stations around the state

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by NihonKitty

I was hoping something like in Japan or Atlanta/DC. The picture for the Sunrail trains look like from the 1950s!

Atlanta does not have CRT, it has a heavy rail metro. DC has metro and two commuter services (VRE and MARC). Both use locomotive hauled trainsets similar to this. IMO they actually do not look as nice. I believe you are thinking of metro trains rather than commuter trains. The Bi-level cars being used in Sunrail from Bombardier are kind of the standard now. At least they are not buying old METRA (Chicago CRT) or GO (Toronto CRT) sets like Nashville and some other areas have done.

VRE:
Locomotive hauling Bi-level cars:

MARC:
Locomotive:

Single level car:

Bi-level car:



These are the same locomotives and cars being used in Minneapolis, LA, Albuquerque, and most other CRT operations in North America. Here are some real pics:

Northstar line (minneapolis):


New Mexico Rail runner (Albuquerque):



Metrolink (LA):




(all pics from Wikipedia)

Steve