tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post1248620412408188712..comments2024-03-25T08:35:51.364-07:00Comments on Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog: Over-Promising on ElectrificationClemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-38341024233444122432018-09-07T21:48:50.302-07:002018-09-07T21:48:50.302-07:00But they will have two tracks, scenic grade crossi...But they will have two tracks, scenic grade crossings with nostalgic sound effects and won't have to cut down any invasive weed trees that are fire hazards! Adirondacker12800https://www.blogger.com/profile/17108712932656586797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-73344208987862246952018-09-07T15:36:44.357-07:002018-09-07T15:36:44.357-07:00"We will expect Caltrain to be "RAPID TR..."<i>We will expect Caltrain to be "RAPID TRANSIT" not a electrified "COMMUTER RAIL"</i>"<br /><br />BART dwells on non-CBD stations are on the order of 10 to 20 seconds.<br /><br />Caltrain will never be RAPID TRANSIT, sadly.<br /><br />Level boarding will never happen, insane EMU procurement nothwithstanding.<br />Frequent service will never happen.<br />Regular interval service will never happen.<br />Acceptable off-peak headways will never happen.<br />Acceptable operating costs (one person operation, maintenance costs anything approaching those of industrialized democracies) will never happen.<br /><br />So BART is irrelevant, except the desginated eventual replacement of Caltrain -- sole-source whack-job low-capacity EMUs, insanely over-built super-cost electrification infrastructure (so so so many extraneous poles), electrification leading to <i>higher</i> operating costs, etc.<br /><br />Enjoy the next 20 years of long dwell times, infrequent service, insane skip-stop timetables, out-of-control ticket prices and tax subsidies, and effectively zero off-peak service. The next 20 years are going to be exactly the same as the last 20, including the mañana-mañana talk about "rapid transit" or "regional rail" or whatever. Hasn't happened, won't happen, because <b>nobody involved with Caltrain in any capacity wants it to happen</b>.<br /><br />The status quo is fucking awesome. Being paid to do less than nothing is a great number of peoples' idea of a perfect set-up, and they're not about to let that change.Richard Mlynarikhttp://www.pobox.com/users/mly/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-29641536371588139012018-09-07T13:51:25.551-07:002018-09-07T13:51:25.551-07:00Is anyone knows dwell time of BART? We will expect...Is anyone knows dwell time of BART? We will expect Caltrain to be "RAPID TRANSIT" not a electrified "COMMUTER RAIL". So, we should benchmark BART's non-SF stations (Fremont-Oakland or Richmond-Oakland) where ridership /population profile are similar to Caltrain Penninsula.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-4578862475941162172018-09-05T22:18:37.157-07:002018-09-05T22:18:37.157-07:001st Law of Holes:
http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/...1st Law of Holes: <br />http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/__Agendas+and+Minutes/JPB/2018/2018-09-06+SSF+presentation.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-56883949196352841232018-09-01T20:07:44.147-07:002018-09-01T20:07:44.147-07:00@Clem Did you miss the reduction in tunnel diamete...@Clem Did you miss the reduction in tunnel diameters in the 2016 Business Plan that was made possible by the elimination of pesky tunnel ventilation fans interfering with air flow?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-49502333361569335182018-09-01T20:03:22.552-07:002018-09-01T20:03:22.552-07:00According to page 7-29 of the former (AKA now obso...According to page 7-29 of the former (AKA now obsolete) Chapter 7 of the Caltrain engineering standards, "Caltrain does not have and does not allow at-grade crossings where there are four (4) tracks(passing tracks)." <br /> <br />On a related note, thank you for another great shot explaining why the NEC continues to experience systemic catenary failures even on brand new sections: https://youtu.be/l30Z1dV2SVU?t=12Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-6612435248553664812018-09-01T18:56:24.036-07:002018-09-01T18:56:24.036-07:00Yes it is and if you had a four track system they ...Yes it is and if you had a four track system they could be out on the express tracks at 125ish. I'll see if I can find 90 mph Acelas in Secausus. Someday in your wildest dreams Palo Alto is Secaucus. Secaucus is designed so that, one of the speculative fantasies is this, the center island goes away and the side platforms become islands between the 5th and 6th tracks that are cantilevered off the sides that were overdesigned to do that. Or sumptin. there's fantasy where its expressy-est expresses flying over which is probably excessive except in scenarios where cars and airplanes have been banned. Enjoy your two tracks. at 110 you can keep your quaint grade crossings forever. Adirondacker12800https://www.blogger.com/profile/17108712932656586797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-83066729753633653512018-09-01T11:25:59.824-07:002018-09-01T11:25:59.824-07:00I appreciate the sentiment, but San Francisco / Si...I appreciate the sentiment, but San Francisco / Silicon Valley during rush hour is <a href="https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/photos/2016/december/27/55083_full.jpg" rel="nofollow">quite unlike rural Rhode Island</a>.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-7816542823101369522018-09-01T09:46:15.120-07:002018-09-01T09:46:15.120-07:00It's just awful the way the cameraman gets blo...It's just awful the way the cameraman gets blown back into the parking lot as the train comes through in far off exotic Rhode Island. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l30Z1dV2SVUAdirondacker12800https://www.blogger.com/profile/17108712932656586797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-9557513739503437532018-09-01T08:34:48.338-07:002018-09-01T08:34:48.338-07:00We’re not that flush with money or space, so I wou...We’re not that flush with money or space, so I would anticipate the platform safety solution for 110-125 mph to look more like platform railing (see this <a href="https://youtu.be/LKAe78lElu4" rel="nofollow">video from Germany</a>). Definitely not ideal, but it’s cheap.<br /><br />Gate down time requires a few seconds for detection and transmission to the signaling system, and significant extra time for emergency braking in the rain. I can lower my estimate to 90 seconds for a 110 mph interlocked grade crossing, up from ~30 sec today.<br /><br />Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-42986395881496379912018-09-01T02:54:41.236-07:002018-09-01T02:54:41.236-07:00But does the second bore NEED to be fully built ou...But does the second bore NEED to be fully built out? <br /><br />(I know, considering overall cost, it is cheaper to do everything at once.)Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-16244145655136120782018-09-01T00:36:48.974-07:002018-09-01T00:36:48.974-07:00I rather doubt that... twin bore is required for f...I rather doubt that... twin bore is required for fire safety in long tunnels.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-7867780509180090842018-08-31T23:35:03.233-07:002018-08-31T23:35:03.233-07:00@Drunk: Quad gates and intrusion detection are req...@Drunk: Quad gates and intrusion detection are required for speeds between 90 and 110mph. Speeds between 110 and 125 MPH additionally require Vehicle Arresting Barriers (VABs) IN THE USA ONLY.<br /><br />@Clem: There is nothing (other than pesky level boarding island platforms) stopping trains from exceeding 125 MPH "on long crossing-free stretches". The answer to platform safety issues was presented to the Transit-Land Use Committee in February 2017: http://hsr.ca.gov/docs/brdmeetings/2017/brdmtg_021417_TLU_Board_Meeting_SFO_pres.pdf (slide 8).<br /><br />Last but not least, it is unclear why a train capable of stopping from 125 MPH in less than 45 seconds would require a "2-minute gate down time per train" ("Il lui a fallu seulement 43 secondes sur 1,25km pour passer de 200km à l'arrêt complet.")<br />http://www.newsbombardierfrance.com/2016/06/regio-v200-termine-ses-essais-velim.html Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-28964107132724951992018-08-31T22:48:26.763-07:002018-08-31T22:48:26.763-07:00OT Breaking News: "The authority is looking t...OT Breaking News: "The authority is looking to get that Valley-to-Valley service running by 2026 or 2027 using one track through the Pacheco Pass tunnel, and then have the second track ready for use in 2029, after the tunnel is fully built out."<br />https://thebusinessjournal.com/california-texas-riding-different-tracks-to-high-speed-rail/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-69357335338090750872018-08-31T03:36:28.232-07:002018-08-31T03:36:28.232-07:00I can not speak for the diesel-hauled trains, but ...I can not speak for the diesel-hauled trains, but for the KISSes, where full torque is available from speed 0 on, it is theoretically possible to get into micro-creep state (that's where maximum force can be transferred to the rails, just before slipping starts). On dry rails, this corresponds to a friction coefficient of around 0.4. Just a guesstimate (someone may do some calculations), this could lead to an acceleration of around 1.8 m/s2, which is uncomfortably strong. Maximum torque is controlled by the drive control software, and limited to lower values (also in order to take care of less optimal rail surfaces). Micro-creep can be recognized by a screeching sound.<br /><br />I personally have never heard a KISS (or a FLIRT) reaching the micro-creep state. But when the Zürich S-Bahn DPZ trains (a locomotive plus 3 bi-level cars) were new, they regularly got into that state, and the screeching was really noticeable. Some time later, after complaints by people living along the "gold coast" line, they reduced the maximum torque. Acceleration is still adequate, but no longer as strong as before. Of course, the higher torque also increases wear on the gears.<br />Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-35855994585335889462018-08-31T03:13:43.931-07:002018-08-31T03:13:43.931-07:00There is a primary rule in robotics or anywhere wh...There is a primary rule in robotics or anywhere where you move things around, to make the slow movements as fast and short as possible. So, Clem is absolutely correct that Caltrain should go for the far lower-hanging fruit. <br />Level (or just one step) boarding is definitely something. Making space around the doors in the vehicles the next (I am not familiar with the Bombardier cars, whether they have lot of space in the entrance area; S-Bahn Zürich KISSes do have (and are faster than the Siemens DTZ).<br />If there are switches passed on deviation, there may be a lot of potential; making it possible to run with 60 km/h instead of 40 km/h over deviation saves about 10 seconds directly, plus deceleration/acceleration for a 300 m long train (unless I got my math wrong…}<br /><br />OTOH, SNCF in the Alsace, and DB between Hamburg and Hannover, for example, operate at 200 km/h with grade crossings and non-gated non-manned stations. Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-82830026983196922902018-08-29T21:52:57.154-07:002018-08-29T21:52:57.154-07:00If Michigan / Illinois are anything to go by, that...If Michigan / Illinois are anything to go by, that’s what they had to do to satisfy FRA. Also the grade crossing status (gates down and clear of obstacles) had to be patched in to the PTC system with enough time to come to a full stop from 110 mph... that means 2-minute gate down time per train. Not something you’ll see on the peninsula rail corridor. I could see San Mateo / 9th to Redwood City / Whipple upped to 110 mph, and maybe some of the other long crossing-free stretches.<br /><br />Platform safety is an unresolved issue. It’s already kind of marginal at 79 mph. I don’t have an answer on that one.<br /><br />I don’t think Caltrain needs 110 mph; the time savings are marginal. There is far lower-hanging fruit to be picked by shortening time at rest (level boarding!!)Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-34774005630829012462018-08-29T21:37:26.111-07:002018-08-29T21:37:26.111-07:00Unless I'm mistaken, quad gates and intrusion ...Unless I'm mistaken, quad gates and intrusion detection are only required for speeds in excess of 110mph. Not sure what you mean by platform safety upgrades...Drunk Engineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08818695817782985523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-13116291922330761742018-08-29T20:47:28.766-07:002018-08-29T20:47:28.766-07:00110 mph requires upgrade of track to FRA class 6, ...110 mph requires upgrade of track to FRA class 6, quad gates and intrusion detection at every crossing, minor curve realignment, and safety upgrades at all platforms. Not in the $2 billion tab for work now underway.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-60032907480850526402018-08-29T19:51:55.151-07:002018-08-29T19:51:55.151-07:00Clem,
In the case of the Baby Bullet, why is 110mp...Clem,<br />In the case of the Baby Bullet, why is 110mph operation outside the scope of electrification? Granted they could use more passing tracks, but since there are so few locals running anyway that shouldn't be much of an issue.Drunk Engineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08818695817782985523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-53093145502715577912018-08-29T18:22:01.185-07:002018-08-29T18:22:01.185-07:00They are angling to purchase Bombardier bilevels t...They are angling to purchase Bombardier bilevels to supplement and replace their gallery cars, which Caltrain did in 2002 or so. And they didn’t want to buy Chinese after Nippon Sharyo skipped town. What amazing shrewd move do you read into this?Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-76236689816010566622018-08-29T17:14:24.349-07:002018-08-29T17:14:24.349-07:00They are clearly 20 years ahead in terms of procur...They are clearly 20 years ahead in terms of procurement. Please elaborate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-29138073594475475762018-08-29T07:57:33.310-07:002018-08-29T07:57:33.310-07:00Metra is where Caltrain was almost 20 years ago.Metra is where Caltrain was almost 20 years ago.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-24139099607678518192018-08-29T04:30:37.213-07:002018-08-29T04:30:37.213-07:00"Opening up our request to alternative design..."Opening up our request to alternative designs will foster competition between more car builders, which potentially will result in better pricing, a more modern car and a better experience for our customers," said Metra Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jim Derwinski.<br /><br />The railroad will seek new rail car designs that boost seating capacity since yard space and platform length currently limit the number and length of trains that can operate.<br /><br />In addition, Metra will consider proposals for alternative car designs that provide lower, platform-level boarding for riders with disabilities and families with strollers."<br /><br />https://www.progressiverailroading.com/mechanical/article/Metra-to-reissue-rail-car-RFP--55147Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-40776420910205392592018-08-28T20:30:05.349-07:002018-08-28T20:30:05.349-07:00Who knows? This is a second-order effect and can s...Who knows? This is a second-order effect and can safely be ignored. The art of simulation is to have enough fidelity, but no more.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.com