Comments on: Weekend Links

By: David L

David L — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:44:44 +0000

John W is right – those 125′s are diesel – they started on the Cardiff /London line – (original broad track ) with the right curvature. I don’t think that line has Cant /tilt – without that types of train running on it.

Why not get those, and alter the grade crossings along the way.
.

The problem on the West Coast (electrified) (UK) line are ‘too tight curves’ -which is why the line limit with NEW Pendolino trains is 125 -

By: Woody

Woody — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:55:10 +0000

I’d expect any NY State politician to scream if they have to come up with 20% or so like the other states. They’ll be looking to get it all ‘free’ from the Feds somehow. But after the next redistricting, depending perhaps on how many Members of the State Senate are in jail where they belong by then, the Upstaters may lose their veto power. It should only require tipping two or three districts to give the downstate ‘city and suburban caucus’ real control of the Senate.

Meanwhile, some Upstaters could come to their senses. Their cities complain all the time about poor air service, of companies refusing to invest because “you can’t get there from anywhere.” HSR thru the Mohawk Valley could be such a boon for the old Erie Canal cities, by tying them to the NEC, they may come to support HSR NYC-Albany too.

By: Adirondacker12800

Adirondacker12800 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:58:30 +0000

The NYSDOT I-87 intermodal study proposed 4 billion for Albany to Montreal and a billion to electrify it. I forget if that was the cost to the border or if that was the cost to get all the way to Central Station. Probably be about the same for Albany to NYC, four tracks between Croton and Manhattan would be pricey. And it would buy faster service on Metro North. All speculation because except for Louise Slaughter upstate politicians tend to take a dim view of things that make it easier for Noo Yawkers to get Upstate. Expect the money to be allocated in ’14 or ’15… of the 23rd century…

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:29:40 +0000

Or you can just electrify, which at the bloated NEC costs would be about $500 million for NY-Albany. Much cheaper than looking for high-acceleration, high-cant deficiency 125 mph diesel trains.

By: Adirondacker12800

Adirondacker12800 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:50:00 +0000

No idea if the track is canted or not. I’m just dredging up bits and pieces. The map is the Rich Green map for Metro North, it extends to Albany. The 2:10 comes from old Amtrak schedules online. No idea what would happen south of Poughkeepsie or Croton if Metro North could move faster than 90. No idea what the current tracks could do either. Third rail doesn’t do well over 90 and starts to hit limits for current above 100… so electric service above that would mean re-electrifying the Hudson Line north of Sputyen Duyvil. That wouldn’t’ be cheap. They’d probably go for 125MPH diesels first to see what the market would be. 1:45 between Albany and NYC is doable and relatively cheap if I’m remembering stuff from the NYC-Montreal DOT study correctly – the four hour trip time assumed modest upgrades south of Albany to get it down to 1:45….. and you have to find a 150MPH diesel that can run on electricity into Penn Station, to do it.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:01:31 +0000

This assume 4″ cant and 3″ cant deficiency, right? If so, how long do you think it will take with electric 200 km/h tilting trains, with 12″ cant deficiency and a cant of 8″ on passenger-dedicated sections?

By: Adirondacker12800

Adirondacker12800 — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:34:28 +0000

No idea, it’s 125 on maps derived from employee timetables. The state has slowly but surely chipping away at making the line faster. It’s been fast track for while, the Turboliners made in 2:10. A fast diesel and clear track should be able to make 2:10 or better.

By: Danny

Danny — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:31:05 +0000

As in some of the track is rated as class 7 track? Or just straight enough for 125?

By: Yonah Freemark

Yonah Freemark — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:56:52 +0000

Man, you caught me. No, I just categorized more quickly than I should have…

By: EngineerScotty

EngineerScotty — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:25:37 +0000

BRT is newer than LRT in the Portland context, at least. :) And of course, trains have been around a lot longer than busses have, unless you are willing to consider horse-drawn vehicles.