tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post5377991160409457104..comments2024-03-25T08:35:51.364-07:00Comments on Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog: EMU Draft RFPClemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-2250635966964471922015-07-19T12:06:10.575-07:002015-07-19T12:06:10.575-07:00Personally, I don't see how paying Caltrain...Personally, I don't see how paying Caltrain's cost for dual-platform-height Caltrain rolling stock, could possibly pass muster for use of Prop A1's HSR dollars. Do you? Electrification, maybe, if the CalMod project met Prop 1A's requirements. But it doesn't. Only the kooks and liars who say that 40-something minutes is less than 30, claim that.<br />Even the Authority's own throw-passengers-from-the-door-of-a-train-moving-through-San-Jose simulation cannot stand, not now that the Authority has agreed that its trains have to fit within Caltrain's operating schedule, not the other way around.<br /><br />Prop 1A connectivity money sure, but wasn't the bottom of that barrel already scraped clean for this "bookend" project?<br /><br />Are sufficient cap-and-trade dollars available soon enough to substitute for the Prop 1A HSR dollars *and* the cost blowout, *AND* the near-certain multi-hundred-million-dolllar overruns and delays of CBOSS? <br /><br /><br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-73523531886955554632015-07-17T11:42:34.138-07:002015-07-17T11:42:34.138-07:00Santa Claus did offer to pay for the difference, a...Santa Claus did offer to pay for the difference, at least verbally. The latest <a href="http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/__Agendas+and+Minutes/JPB/Board+of+Directors/Presentations/2015/2015-07-02+JPB+BOD+EMU+RFP.pdf" rel="nofollow">EMU procurement update</a> from Caltrain reveals that industry estimates for the cost difference fall in the range of 3 to 5 percent. On an estimated <a href="http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/__Agendas+and+Minutes/JPB/Board+of+Directors/Presentations/2014/11-6-14+JPB+BOD+CalMod+Cost+and+Schedule+Update.pdf" rel="nofollow">$458M</a> contract with the vehicle vendor, this amounts to an extra $14M - $23M. This is a rather small price to pay for compatibility, and I doubt that Santa Claus will be stingy about it.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-24697964825289490752015-07-16T15:41:24.977-07:002015-07-16T15:41:24.977-07:00re 1.b) 2nd paragraph:
....which CHSRA won't...re 1.b) 2nd paragraph:<br /><br />....which CHSRA won't do; why would they want to stop at non-fare-gated, non-flight-level-0-airport, platforms?<br />That contravenes their Technical Memoranda on station design.<br /><br />So in reality, Caltrain is *NOT* investigating dual-height doors, not unless a Santa-Claus pays for the difference.<br />It sounds to me as if the contractors got paid more for going-through-the--motions.<br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-67779199028828212002015-07-07T18:10:43.147-07:002015-07-07T18:10:43.147-07:00'Factory on wheels' delays rail electrific...<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33425743" rel="nofollow"><b>'Factory on wheels' delays rail electrification by a year</b></a><br /><br /><i>[...] the under-performance of the High Output Plant System, a factory train made up of 23 vehicles, has, according to rail observers, made a big contribution to Network Rail falling at least a year behind schedule and going £900m over budget on the Great Western electrification project.<br /><br />Yet the train was supposed to make the job of erecting thousands of electrification masts much easier. Two years ago, Network Rail was boasting about how it would slash years off the project.<br /><br />Network Rail would not comment on the performance of the train, but admitted there had been "hiccups" on what is the first major rail electrification project in the UK for a generation. Rail insiders paint a more calamitous picture.<br /><br />[...]</i>Reality Checkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974156676436895262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-18174421566340574352015-06-30T12:41:17.300-07:002015-06-30T12:41:17.300-07:00Just published: Caltrain EMU RFP staff report (age...Just published: <a href="http://www.caltrain.com/Assets/__Agendas+and+Minutes/JPB/Board+of+Directors/Agendas/2015/2015-07-02+JPB+BOD+Agenda+Packet.pdf" rel="nofollow"><b>Caltrain EMU RFP staff report (agenda item 9)</b></a><br /><i><br />1. Staff will obtain option prices for vehicles with <b>two different door designs</b>:<br />a) A vehicle with <b>two sets of doors, in which the higher doors would be sealed</b> and seats would be placed adjacent to those doors until such time as the needs of and plans for the High Speed Rail/Blended System are further defined and future evaluation of the interior of the EMUs, as it relates to the deployment of the previously sealed doors, is warranted; and <br />b) A vehicle with a <b>single set of low-level doors</b>.<br /><br />In the event that the vehicle with two sets of doors proves to be more expensive, a contract award based upon this option will depend on the ability and willingness of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to pay for the additional costs required to procure the double door vehicles.<br /><br />2. EMUs will be designed to enhance the <b>safety and comfort of standing</b> passengers.<br /><br />3. EMUs will maintain an onboard ratio of <b>nine seats for every one bike space</b>. To complement onboard bike storage, there will be a parallel effort to modernize wayside bike facilities to be accomplished through significant investment including funding, staff time and station space, to establish modern bike facilities and amenities.<br /><br />4. One Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) <b>bathroom will be provided for each six car EMU train</b>. During the vehicle design phase options for replacing ADA bathrooms with seats and/or standee space may be considered if warranted.<br /></i>Reality Checkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974156676436895262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-74048353455921566932015-06-27T11:16:22.877-07:002015-06-27T11:16:22.877-07:00We know zero bathrooms per train is legal ... so i...We know zero bathrooms per train is legal ... so it'd be kind of weird (but arguably plausible) that having only one would be an ADA violation.Reality Checkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974156676436895262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-90129658847348484102015-06-27T10:54:25.001-07:002015-06-27T10:54:25.001-07:00How is one bathroom per train legal? What if someo...How is one bathroom per train legal? What if someone with mobility issues is in a car other than the one with the bathroom?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-39746772954538578952015-06-24T16:44:06.209-07:002015-06-24T16:44:06.209-07:00Caltrain electrified car design needs improvement
...<a href="http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/opinions/2015-06-24/op-ed-caltrain-electrified-car-design-needs-improvement/1776425145558.html" rel="nofollow"><b>Caltrain electrified car design needs improvement</b></a><br /><br />"<i>Caltrain staff’s recommendation for car design is deficient in two main ways: staff is recommending no bathrooms and no increase in bike capacity. A bathroom is an important amenity for joyful Giants fans and Friday afternoon party cars, and space for more bikes onboard is already needed.</i>"Reality Checkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974156676436895262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-472443359723502952015-06-22T08:37:37.547-07:002015-06-22T08:37:37.547-07:00The concept of the Siemens Desiro HC in combinatio...The concept of the Siemens Desiro HC in combination with the Desiro ML is therefor very interesting for Caltrain. It puts all the high tech in single deck (end)cars with the either a simple single deck of double deck in between. So choose both and the commonality is so extreme that extra cost are very very low. The amount of seats per meter for an 8 car is also pretty similar to a complete double-deck train. Also it will be very cheap to procure, so you would have more money to immediately start with level-boarding construction.<br /><br />It is not very ease to do dual height door solution (but it sucks anyway) but certainly not impossible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-17324011769917428812015-06-21T23:47:13.139-07:002015-06-21T23:47:13.139-07:00"Caltrain's plan, since they're short..."<i>Caltrain's plan, since they're short of funds to replace the entire fleet</i>"<br /><br />10% overhead paid to LTK Engineering Services -- scraping the very very very bottom of the America's Finest Transportaion Planning Professionals barrel there -- adds up to plenty of real missing revenue rail cars. The wild consultant trough-swilling takes real money that could purchase real rolling stock and incinerates it.<br /><br />And the planning to operate the worst possible "all skip-stop, all the time" batshit "blended" timetable forever, as Caltrain intends, doing so with unpredictable long dwell times and extended turnback times, maximizes <i>all</i> of fleet size, non-revue time, crew requirements, peak/off-peak imbalance, and empty seat-miles. Synergy!<br /><br />In contrast, <a href="http://caltrain-hsr.blogspot.com/2013/10/census-driven-service-planning.html" rel="nofollow">a timetable based on efficient service provision</a> can have surprisingly low fleet and crew requirements.<br /><br />"Short of funds" in the context of Caltrain is a condition 100% created and perpetuated by those who profit from wasting funding, no more and no less.<br /><br />Just look at the size of the fleet Caltrain's professionals seek to purchase in the RFP (90 "cars" base plus 48 plus 58 "car" options) -- the amount of idle or empty or out of service revenue equipment will be something to behold.Richard Mlynarikhttp://www.pobox.com/users/mlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-57713819408805242742015-06-21T22:58:17.910-07:002015-06-21T22:58:17.910-07:00@Anonymous
I believe the plan is indeed to replac...@Anonymous<br /><br />I believe the plan is indeed to replace the locals with EMUs, and keep the diesels for Baby Bullets. They'll need the diesels for Gilroy service anyway (whether it is wise to maintain Gilroy service or not).Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00326948451529910432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-7537997294874170052015-06-21T22:03:43.577-07:002015-06-21T22:03:43.577-07:00Clem, If Caltrain have not enough money, replace l...Clem, If Caltrain have not enough money, replace local train from diesel to EMU first. Currently, Caltrain need add more express train, however slow local train and long distance of by-pass track location (Lawrence to Bayshore) makes difficult.<br />There will be significant traveling time improvement of local train from diesel to EMU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-35108034022893314752015-06-21T16:22:00.417-07:002015-06-21T16:22:00.417-07:00It's even worse when one of your sub-fleets is...It's even worse when one of your sub-fleets is diesel locomotive hauled, and the other EMUs. Which is Caltrain's plan, since they're short of funds to replace the entire fleet.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-90083168693135503692015-06-21T12:32:58.219-07:002015-06-21T12:32:58.219-07:00On the other hand, maintenance cost is actually a ...On the other hand, maintenance cost is actually a reason against different kinds of rolling stock, particularly from different vendors (unless the order is in all cases big enough, and includes heavy maintenance for a considerable number of years). <br /><br />If common components can be used, spares can be shared, which reduces cost as well.<br /><br />It has to be calculated whether the advantage of a bigger fleet beat the advantages of two smaller fleets. <br /><br />In many cases nowadays, orders come with a rather high number of options, just in order to not have to do the whole procurement spiel (which is not cheap) over and over again. <br />Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-18818419508269092932015-06-21T09:43:09.454-07:002015-06-21T09:43:09.454-07:00In the best corridor service pan that's anybod...In <a href="http://caltrain-hsr.blogspot.com/2013/10/census-driven-service-planning.html" rel="nofollow">the best corridor service pan that's anybody has come up with</a>, there's a good <i>potential</i> split into two different fleets: something FLIRT-y (Desiro-y, TALENT-y, etc) for the "San Mateo local" with more and closer stops, and something more KISS-y (OMNEO-y, Desiro-HC-y, etc) for "Silicon Valley Express".<br /><br />At times of lower demand, the FLIRT-ier trains could operate more of the service with the higher-capacity service cut back.<br /><br />Another reason for procuring different kinds of rolling stock, as well as for not buying the entire fleet in one tranche, is to avoid "vendor capture", where the manufacturer gains economic power and "wins" future non-competitive fleet expansion, maintenance, parts, modifications, etc contracts. (At least in Alternate Reality USA that would be a good reason.)Richard Mlynarikhttp://www.pobox.com/users/mly/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-91264338293516414622015-06-20T12:16:29.812-07:002015-06-20T12:16:29.812-07:00The only reason for different kind of rolling stoc...The only reason for different kind of rolling stock would be two very distinct operation environments. <br /><br />The biggest disadvantages of bi-levels is that the station dwelling time is inherently high; it can be improved by extra wide doors in a middle level section, but passenger exchange is still slow. This would speak in favor of bi-levels for express services.<br /><br />Single level trains would be more suitable for high-density, short distance, short distance between station, very frequent service applications. In that scenario station dwell times are critical, and the more doors there are, the shorter the station stop can be. That's why there are some trains in Japan (and elsewhere) with 5 doors per side per car. It is obvious that these trains won't offer many seats. <br /><br />Operating cost (if there is no overstaffing) are essentially the same whether you have bi-level or single-level trains.<br />Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-54469464998054359102015-06-20T12:08:40.497-07:002015-06-20T12:08:40.497-07:00Crossings between trolleybus lines and DC rail lin...Crossings between trolleybus lines and DC rail lines are not uncommon; the example in Slovakia has been mentioned; I personally know (and have passed on either way of transit) one in Zürich between the VBZ line 32 and the Uetlibergbahn (… hmm… I wonder what they are going to do when they re-electrify the Uetlibergbahn to 15 kV 16.7 Hz…). <br /><br />There are also crossings between AC and DC electrified train lines (again in Switzerland, Uetlibergbahn in Giesshübel, SBB/AAR in Suhr, etc.).<br /><br />However (again in Zürich), they did not extend the VBZ line 32 beyond the rail line in Seebach, as long as there would have been a level crossing; after they built an underpass for the road, the trolleybus line got extended. It was considered too risky to have the 15kV / 600V crossing.<br /><br />What kind of makes me wonder is the speed at which the trolleybus crossing should be passed. This is very slow… <br />Max Wysshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07828566935411668866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-23361524798294455562015-06-19T13:42:09.028-07:002015-06-19T13:42:09.028-07:00Clem,
if i didn';t make my point clearly, then...Clem,<br />if i didn';t make my point clearly, then I do apologize. I've been running a fever for the past few days.<br /><br />The part i find "incompetent' is Caltrain's RFP, dictating to the vendors, that an 8-car set *must* be a 6-car set plus two non-powered "trailers". *That* should be left up to the vendors.. Requiring that specific configuration directly contradicts Caltrain's rationale for switching from loco-hauled trains to EMUs. I submit that self-contradiction is indeed, incompetent.<br /><br />I mean, what if the vendor's basic unit is Bo'Bo' + 2' 2', with either end or none configured as a cab-car?<br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-5703731587633988012015-06-19T10:07:27.407-07:002015-06-19T10:07:27.407-07:00This proposal may some objection but Caltrain shou...This proposal may some objection but Caltrain should seek two type of EMU, one for express the other for locals. <br />Since majority of ridership comes from express and bi-level EMU makes sense. <br />On the other hand, single level EMU looks fit for local train which have smaller capacity but cheaper to operate. Ridership ratio between local and express, it is difficult to justify frequent local train under bi-level equipment. <br />Caltrain line have shorter station to station spacing compared with BART. Caltrain should build more station in between the existing stations along with transit oriented development. New station should be local only with 3~4 car long platform. Broadway and Atherton can be re-constract same shorter platfrom as those station will not stop express train.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-9886782788241995992015-06-19T09:51:30.174-07:002015-06-19T09:51:30.174-07:00Have you ever see BART train couple/decouple at Fr...Have you ever see BART train couple/decouple at Fremont station? One mechanics crew at train station assist coupling 4-car train into another 4-car train which is waiting south of platform. It is only within 1 ~2 minutes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-88223519100726430142015-06-19T08:32:57.739-07:002015-06-19T08:32:57.739-07:00Clem, you tell me. Did Westbahn, or AeroExpress,...Clem, you tell me. Did Westbahn, or AeroExpress, decide to order EMUs precisely with the rationale that power-to-weight raito, and performance, would be the same, for consists of multiple lenghts?<br /><br />And *(then8 go ahead and order a mix of vendor-standard EMU sets; *AND* require the vendor to add 33% more cars to the trainset, all unpowered? I don't think so. Do you? Are you defending such a decision as competent? <br /><br />And if you mean Syndey Trains, and their A fleet: they bought 8-car sets, as opposed to prior practice of buying 4-car sets and coupling htem into 8-car consists. They are not buying 4-car sets, and then specifying that the vendor *MIUST* offer configurations with two more unpowered carriages.<br /><br />Exactly as I said, Caltrain's RFP contradicts Caltrain's own reasons for purchasing EMUs. *That* is prima-facie iincompetent Let the vendor decode how to distribute powered and unpowered cars, in both 6-car and 8-car configurations. that's their expertise, not Caltrain's and not Caltrain's consultants. <br /><br />Stating reasonable requirements, and then contradicting them without reason, is incompetent. Why defend it?<br /><br /><br />Why defend it?<br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-85883230213433824352015-06-18T22:00:11.153-07:002015-06-18T22:00:11.153-07:00@William, the new CPUC rules are now on the books ...@William, the new CPUC rules are now on the books as <a href="http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M151/K399/151399809.pdf" rel="nofollow">General Order 176</a>.<br /><br />Due to the scope restrictions demanded by the freight railroads, there is nothing in there to govern grade crossings, let alone the highly unusual case of a trolley grade crossing. The topic is approached obliquely in section 5.12 by reference to "paved areas in maintenance facilities, yards and workshops" with a minimum clearance of 20' 4".<br /><br />For those interested, the above-mentioned Slovakian trolley crossings can be visited in Google Street View <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@49.000455,21.23062,3a,75y,214.13h,101.36t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFHXezP41HNdTShRtB0-bjQ!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DFHXezP41HNdTShRtB0-bjQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D123.15602%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656" rel="nofollow">here</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/49%C2%B001%2718.1%22N+21%C2%B014%2704.2%22E/@49.021724,21.234729,3a,75y,214.25h,93.06t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2nSK0PSIoeOwOqhyYkLV_A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D2nSK0PSIoeOwOqhyYkLV_A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D157.1559%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-70692915653948426122015-06-18T21:42:37.212-07:002015-06-18T21:42:37.212-07:00I'm not sure what your point is. Bilevel EMUs...I'm not sure what your point is. Bilevel EMUs are commonly procured in longer formations of six or more cars. Austria's Westbahn, Russia's Aeroexpress, Sydney's CityRail, and the French Regions all come to mind as places where longer bilevel EMUs have recently entered service. Are they all incompetent and ignorant too?Clemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374282217135682245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-49694922981909680742015-06-18T18:54:08.210-07:002015-06-18T18:54:08.210-07:00Look Ma, there goes even any pretense of Caltrain ...Look Ma, there goes even any pretense of Caltrain buying off-the-shelf EMUs!<br /><br />Contemporary "Regional" EMUs come in trainsets of two, three, or four cars, semi-permanently coupled These sets can then be MU'd. If Caltrain wants a 6-car train, they should buy three 2-car sets, or two 3-car sets. If they want 8-car trainsets, they buy either 4 2-car pairs; or bite the bullet and buy 3 3-car sets.<br />If the 9th car can't be used, due to staffing agreements, or beacuse it doesn't fit on some platforms... lock all the doors on the 9th car!<br /><br />I mean, ish't the ability to scale their trainsets in small units, whilst preserving the acceleration characteristics, an explicit piece of Caltrain's rationale for switching to EMUs, rather than loco-hauled sets (and "preserving their investment" in the Bombardier cars)?<br /><br />Are they truly so incompetent that they don't even *read their own %^!& policy documents*?<br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419444332771213285.post-19720329192389052362015-06-18T18:39:40.766-07:002015-06-18T18:39:40.766-07:00No-one is going to put a trolley-bus route, at gra...No-one is going to put a trolley-bus route, at grade, over an actual high-speed HSR line.<br /><br />Last I heard, CPUC's rule for CHSRA was specifically for HSR; CPUC didn't grasp that 25kV AC is the world stnadard for all "greenfield" train electrification, whether freight, passenger commute, regional passenger, or HSR. IIRC< the CPUC draft rules were solely for HSR, and excluded lines shared with Ye Olde RailRoade drag-freight.<br /><br />IMO, it's utterly crazy for Caltrain to allow this. If Muni wants to extend their trolley-bus route over Caltrain line whihc is in the process of being electrified, then Muni (or SF) can pay for the underpass or overpass to cross the electrified line. I mean, whatever happened to Richard M's "concrente-first-and-always" cabal of America's Finest Transportation Professionals? How'd they miss this opportunity for pouring concrete? :)<br /><br /><br />kiwi.jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215458981556481196noreply@blogger.com