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Post by rubbertoe on May 1, 2013 19:26:30 GMT -8
A very nice time lapse video shot from the cab prior to opening. Note the single tracking between the last 2 stations. I'll have to check the timetable to see how they manage that...
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Post by Gokhan on May 1, 2013 22:58:08 GMT -8
Great video.
However, they spent a ton of money to build a perfectly good rail line but they designed it for 35 MPH operations. I don't get the single-tracking either. If something breaks there (which will possibly several times a year), they will have to close the line for the day. Ironically, that section is 45 MPH.
If the same tracks were used for commuter rail, the operating speed would be 80 MPH with only a slight design change.
I am glad that we didn't get these low-floor LRVs in LA -- they don't seem to be good for speeds more than 35 - 45 MPH. I really like the gated sections of Expo and Blue Lines, where the high-floor trains go 55 MPH, as they should. 35 MPH is too slow for a suburban (or interurban) train. Even Pacific Electric, the technology 100 years ago, was faster than that.
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Post by rubbertoe on May 2, 2013 5:27:38 GMT -8
At least they are getting the airport line done correctly. They are running EMU's with I believe a top speed of 90mph. That same commuter line will then head Northwest from Union Station, the first two stations of which (NW line) are already under construction. That line eventually gets to Longmont. I also noticed on the video that the single track ROW wasn't really designed to ever be double tracked. Another thing I noticed in the video, was that it seemed pretty rural for a light rail line. Mrs. Toe and I are planning a Denver trip in June so I started looking for hotels near a light rail line (of course). It turns out that the reason why the West Line looks so rural is because it winds through a series of 3 different connected parks:  The line isn't showing up yet on Google Maps either. I thought they were pretty much on top of that. RT |
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Post by matthewb on May 2, 2013 9:33:09 GMT -8
At least they are getting the airport line done correctly. They are running EMU's with I believe a top speed of 90mph. That same commuter line will then head Northwest from Union Station, the first two stations of which (NW line) are already under construction. That line eventually gets to Longmont. I also noticed on the video that the single track ROW wasn't really designed to ever be double tracked. Another thing I noticed in the video, was that it seemed pretty rural for a light rail line. Mrs. Toe and I are planning a Denver trip in June so I started looking for hotels near a light rail line (of course). It turns out that the reason why the West Line looks so rural is because it winds through a series of 3 different connected parks: The line isn't showing up yet on Google Maps either. I thought they were pretty much on top of that. RT Yes, I had a look on google maps and the rail line is a bit far from any of the nearby density. The Expo line is much better placed to pick up ridership. In terms of showing up on google maps, transit lines must be part of the local transit feed provided by the transit agency. If they put it in correctly, it will show up automatically on google map products. |
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Post by jamesinclair on May 3, 2013 10:45:04 GMT -8
Looks like their station design is a bit smarter than LA......entrances on BOTH ends of the platform! What a novelty!
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Post by LAofAnaheim on May 3, 2013 13:53:39 GMT -8
Looks like their station design is a bit smarter than LA......entrances on BOTH ends of the platform! What a novelty! Don't we have that on nearly 50% of all LA Metro stations? Are you sure 100% of Denver's stations have entrances on both sides of platforms? |
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Post by crzwdjk on May 3, 2013 19:34:30 GMT -8
Huh? What low-floor LRVs are you talking about? As far as I know, Denver only has high-floor LRVs, with steps up from the low platforms and ramps and mini-high platforms for wheelchair accessibility. The closest example of the same sort of thing is in Sacramento, and indeed I think they may even use the same model of Siemens LRVs. Both are perfectly capable of going 55 mph. The problem with the West Line in Denver is that it was partly built on an old interurban right of way, though that doesn't explain some of the crazier-looking choices in the routing, like the Federal Center loop. As far as the single track goes, I think it may have been a money-saving measure, but it still allows for service every 15 minutes, which seems like it'd be enough for the area it serves.
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Post by Gokhan on May 3, 2013 21:19:31 GMT -8
Huh? What low-floor LRVs are you talking about? As far as I know, Denver only has high-floor LRVs, with steps up from the low platforms and ramps and mini-high platforms for wheelchair accessibility. The closest example of the same sort of thing is in Sacramento, and indeed I think they may even use the same model of Siemens LRVs. Both are perfectly capable of going 55 mph. The problem with the West Line in Denver is that it was partly built on an old interurban right of way, though that doesn't explain some of the crazier-looking choices in the routing, like the Federal Center loop. As far as the single track goes, I think it may have been a money-saving measure, but it still allows for service every 15 minutes, which seems like it'd be enough for the area it serves. I see -- from these pictures, you're saying that they have low doors but still high floors everywhere, with steps inside the doors. According to Wikipedia, Siemens SD-100 and SD-160 have a maximum speed of 50 MPH, which explains the 45 MPH seed limit. Our LRVs in LA can easily do 65 MPH in gated at-grade sections if ATP is set for that speed (and 55 MPH in tunnels and on bridges due to safety). Since they are running 35 MPH in the double-track section, perhaps the two tracks share the traction power, which might possibly explain the lower speed limit in the double-track section. I don't know why a former interurban right-of-way would be a problem. The old Pacific Electric rights-of-way here, including the Expo Line right-of-way, are excellent rights-of-way for light-rail or commuter rail. Single-tracking is perhaps OK for their expected headways, but if there's a breakdown, they are in trouble. |
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