High-Speed Rail Issue
October-November 2010 Issue #64 Transportation demands pressing Colorado
Transportation and land use experts may disagree on treated to facts and figures, but also to lively -- though solutions, but there is generally agreement that trend line sometimes indirect -- debates between well-informed growth like that shown on the C-DOT graph below is speakers. causing and will cause problems if it continues. Sandi Kohrs, Multi-Modal Planning Branch Manager of Those who want to build more lanes each year may see Colorado Department of Transportation, highlighted the the problem as a shortfall of highway funds. Those growth in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) that is creating concerned about the environment can identify limits to new stresses on old plans. Even with the economic simple trend line growth. And there are those who think slowdown, past growth has not been accommodated in there must be alternatives to the status quo of the past the intercity highways and alternative transportation century modes that are available. “Opportunities and Challenges for Colorado” was the Is Maglev ready to leave the station? Should I-70 Mountain theme of the Intercity Passenger Rail conference held on corridor needs determine how Front Range urban areas September 16th at the University of Denver’s Cable develop? Should existing rail lines be freight only? Inside this Center. Speakers and panelists explored the potential issue, learn more about ideas expressed in the conference. (or not) of the rail modes in taking the edge off of Vehicle Miles highway demands. ColoRail members Traveled… and participated in the traveled… and traveled... event, working with the National C e n t e r f o r I n t e r m o d a l Transportation staff in helping to organize it, attending it, and participating. ColoRail Vice- President Jim S o u b y coordinated with D r . P a t r i c k Sherry,NCIT Director and his staff to assemble t h e e v e n t . ColoRail President Ira Schreiber chaired one of the expert panels. Attendees were C-DOT graph “A Voice for Colorado’s Rail Passengers” Page 2
St. Paul building intermodal Union Depot Arrivals and departures
Recent aerial photos of RTD Fas- into the headhouse. RTD public hearings on service re- Tracks projects are available on line In September, Ramsay County ductions and other changes wind up at: in the week of October 10th. A re- officials announced the selection vised package will go to the RTD http://www.360media.cc/fastracks/ of the contractor for renovation of Board on October 26th for its vote. The photos include West Line and the St. Paul Union Depot. Trains Construction continues on the Denver Union Station angles. have not been scheduled into the “temporary” Amtrak station at 21st & depot since April 30, 1971 when Rick Harnish of the Midwest High Wewatta Streets. The relocations of Speed Rail Association reports good Amtrak was set up. The “new” Amtrak and Light Rail are both due news for travelers: Illinois Gov. SPUD will be intermodal, with not in 2011. Quinn held a press conference on only Amtrak’s Empire Builder, but October 4th at Chicago Union Sta- also Greyhound and Jefferson ColoRail Board and tion to announce that Amtrak will be Lines intercity buses, and the renovating Chicago Union Station. Colorado NARP Council Minneapolis light rail connection Members: The work will include: now under construction. (with telephone numbers) and
Helen Bushnell, Board Member, Boulder. Amtrak to slow down Southwest Chief in Colorado and
Kansas -- is re-route or slow-speed rail next? Elia Fisher, Secretary, Denver. Effective October 18th -- in advance of the System Timetable to be
Intercity Passenger Rail Conference brings Alternatives ideas to the table-- some agree to disagree reviewed A Colorado Perspective preferred alignment for a HSR line The September 16th program was or lines, nor has it chosen a pre- introduced by Dr. Patrick Sherry, The Rocky Mountain Rail Authority’s Director of the National Center High Speed Rail Feasibility Study ferred technology, nor has it estab- for Intermodal Transportation. has developed a number of state- lished preferred station locations, The center emphasizes the inter- wide options for intercity passenger nor has it evaluated specific environ- modal in its name. Along with rail in Colorado, based on rail tech- mental impacts. Those would all be their partners at the University of nologies in revenue service through- the subjects of future environmental Mississippi, the Center at DU out the world. In his keynote pres- studies under the National Environ- works to bring modes of transpor- mental Protection Act. tation together for greater bene- entation to the NCIT Intercity Pas- fits than might be gained in sepa- senger Rail conference, Harry Dale, In spite of that caveat, it became rate traditions. chairman of the authority, said that clear from his presentation that sig- A welcoming message from DU they have also evaluated the opera- nificant alternatives, such as using Chancellor Robert D. Coombe tional and economic feasibility of alternate mountain passes instead emphasized the ways in which these options. He emphasized that of bundling lines into the I-70 corri- transport improvements have this work was based on Federal dor, or using some rail formats are benefited programs of the univer- Railroad Administration criteria. seen as unlikely due to environ- sity. The RMRA has not established a (Continued on page 4) Graphic from Harry Dale’s presentation. Note that these general figures may not apply to specific systems. Page 4
(Continued from page 3) tations, they cannot be included The last point was of particular inter- mental difficulties. The assumption here, but each of the conference est, along with points about pro- that highway traffic will continue to PowerPoint presentations is avail- jected low maintenance, because move at 75 mph also immediately able on the NCIT website: the speed advantage once claimed makes some alternatives unattrac- for maglev over other grade- tive. separated alternatives has been nar- Maglev Transport: But assuming the 75 mph driving, rowed or eliminated. Coates pointed the chart from RMRA above shows a When high-speed rail studies -- and out the amount of maintenance re- variety of technologies applied to even some urban transit studies -- quired on high-speed lines, noting familiar Front Range routes. For are conducted, magnetic levitation that planners should look at life-cycle those unfamiliar with the terms, the alternatives are included. Rail advo- costs, rather than simply initial capi- “Joint Line” refers to the jointly oper- cates find themselves asking tal costs. ated existing BNSF-UP line between whether it is a credible alternative, or Denver and Pueblo. “Greenfield” whether it is just a ploy used like Practical Constraints: refers to the idea of locating the line monorails were used in studies in areas east of the metropolitan through the 1960’s and 70’s, to pre- If audience members had any re- centers where cheap land and devel- vent implementation of anything maining thoughts of trying to buy the opment opportunities would intersect except more highways. Kevin C. use of existing rail lines, Thomas with smoother alignments. Coates, Executive Director of the Finkbiner, Senior Chairman of the North American Maglev Transport ITI Board of Directors, presented a Dale walked the conference audi- Institute was prepared to make the brief, but pointed, lecture on the dire ence through the economic and en- case for maglev as fast, sustainable, impact that a passenger train has on gineering facets of each alternative reliable, on-time, all-weather trans- that was studied. Due to space limi- port. (Continued on page 5) Page 5
(Continued from page 4) tion, so that in effect two opposing The AGS component is a part of a dispatching freight trains. He walked views were presented, the differ- larger Collaborative Effort by a 27- conference participants through the ences being clarified in Carmichael’s member stakeholder group that in- travails of orchestrating the move- rebuttal. cluded ColoRail’s Jon Esty. The ments of 8000-foot, 14,000-ton unit study was “multi-modal” -- not trains versus 1000-foot, 2,500-ton “intermodal” -- and tries to cover a Amtrak trains. An Advanced Guideway for I-70 planning period that reaches to Mountain Corridor: His diagrammed sample was appro- 2050. priate in supporting his point: an Am- The I-70 Mountain Corridor has With the various high-speed tech- trak train trying to navigate a seg- been the subject of much study over nologies lumped together, common ment of the former Nickel Plate that the past decade. Wendy Wallach, benefits were identified. An AGS is overloaded with diverse types of C-DOT’s I-70 Mountain Corridor line would protect resources along trains due to the downgrading and Environmental Manager, walked the Corridor, allowing growth to oc- abandonment of parallel lines. This conference participants through the cur in a more concentrated manner, was to be done without scheduling process that led to release of a draft with less potential for growth induced any pause in the passengers’ jour- study in September of this year. at secondary highway interchanges. ney. It was easy to see that if a pas- Her discussion of the unique I-70 This would protect historic proper- senger train -- or any train -- was corridor brought up some of the is- ties, adjacent waterways, wildlife operated in that manner, it would be sues analyzed by the Rocky Moun- habitat and recreational resources in disruptive. tain Rail Authority, such as the 7% National Forests, according to Wal- Finkbiner concluded that “there is no grades along the Interstate’s path. lach. way that passenger trains can oper- However, she also introduced the More information about the study is ate on the U.S. freight rail infrastruc- context in which specific rail modes available at: ture without considerable capital in- turned into the less focused http;//www.i70mtncorridor.com vestment and the degradation of “Advanced Guideway System” as a current and future infrastructure pro- long-term solution for mobility and Coverage of the keynote speech is ductivity.” congestion relief. on Page 6. This brought a sharp rebut- tal from Gil Carmichael, Founding Chairman of the ITI Board of Directors and former Federal Railroad Administrator. Carmichael advocates a more collabo- rative approach that would lead to development of up- graded infrastructure bene- fiting both freight and pas- senger transportation. This was outlined in Carmi- chael’s opening presenta-
In addition to the presenta- tions summarized in this edition of ColoRail Passen- ger, an important panel discussion covered the theme of Financing Inter- Graphics in this issue are as presented in city Passenger Rail. We the conference, without editing. plan to cover this in the next issue. Page 6
Project ready for engineering California to add high-speed
Fast Track to Sustainability: Detailed business plans have been shorter, high-population segments Speaking after a luncheon can be a developed to forecast ridership, fare be built to gain public support? Diri- humbling experience for someone and revenue levels. Annual rider- don is weighing these issues within who is not prepared. Hon. Rod Diri- ship is expected to bring in revenue the board process, don, Sr. was prepared. He has sufficient to exceed Operation & Interregional trips are expected to served in a variety of posts, currently Maintenance costs. mainly be drawn from the auto as Chair of the Intercity and High Based on a 220 mph top speed, the mode, with about 16% of the riders Speed Rail Committee of the Ameri- travel time from Los Angeles to San coming from aviation and 3% from can Public Transit Association and Francisco is expected to be 2:38. rail. Unlike HSR proposals in Colo- as Member and Chair Emeritus of Other major cities to be served are rado, California would continue to the California High Speed Rail Au- San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, depend on conventional rail passen- thority Board. Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside and ger service in secondary markets, so Diridon began with a concisely Anaheim. An intense process with that non-HSR cities need not be left drawn panorama of a world scene in confidential elements is underway to out, nor are the major cities being which much of the developed world, determine a starter segment. For left unserved in the meantime. and some less-developed countries example, is it better to build first in More information on this landmark the Central Valley where costs will are now operating and extending project is available at: high-speed rail networks, with the be lower and bugs might more easily http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov U.S. being a conspicuous laggard. be dealt with? Or should one of the Then he unfolded the massive Califor- nia project with which he has worked so effec- tively. California’s High- Speed Rail Author- ity was okayed by state legislators in 1996, after a gen- eration of studies similar at first to the C-DOT and RMRA studies, and then becoming more specific. The board is a compromise that made it through the Golden State’s legislative civil war, with five members appointed by the Governor, two by the State Senate and two by the State Assembly. To date, it has spent $200 million prepar- ing detailed studies and obtaining in 2008 a Program Level Environmental Clearance. Page 7
New line opens Yes, Platform 9¾ really exists in Scotland
(Continued from page 8) Rail Corporation in 2002. The biggest objection to the privatization of British Rail was the immediate resources. Since the establishment of Network Rail, escalation in ticket prices resulting from there has been a steady decline in The Railways Act of 1993 authored by the removal of government derailments along with a noticeable the Conservative government led by subsidies. Though it certainly is not improvement of track condition, speed, John Majors created the private cheap to travel by rail in the UK, a little and on time performance. This suggests franchising of passenger rail in the schedule flexibility on the part of the that even though the profit motive UK. It was thought that competition traveler and a search on the British Rail seemed to work for private companies among private providers would improve web site usually results in the discovery offering train service, it did not succeed the service and efficiency of trains of cheaper fares. British nationals also with keeping the physical railway plant in beyond what the government controlled can get special fares in many cases. good shape. operation had accomplished. Rail has a lot of competition from Passenger rail in the UK achieved a Railtrack, a government supported intercity bus companies though the trains welcomed milestone when it inaugurated publicly traded corporation, was are far superior in terms of comfort, the country's first truly high-speed established to maintain the railroad speed, and reliability if not in cost. One service out of a revitalized St. Pancras infrastructure. The privatized train of the side benefits of privatization to rail Station in London in November companies gradually gained public advocates is the colorful paint schemes 2007. The current London to Paris acceptance for improved service; and logos one sees on train equipment Eurostar trip now takes only 135 however, Railtrack drew much criticism around the country. for their failure to keep the railroad minutes. And if by chance you would like to take a infrastructure in good repair. Track In December, Network Rail will complete train to Hogwarts School made famous failures resulted in a serious of three the first entirely new rail line in over a by the Harry Potter novels, you can accidents in which numerous century between New Lothian and West depart from London's Kings Cross passengers were killed and Lanarkshire in southern Scotland. The Station. Yes, Platform 9 3/4 really does injured. Public displeasure with the new 24km route will add three new Railtrack Corporation and its apparent stations and two relocated stations and exist. mishandling of government funding provide speedier connections between Jon Esty is past president of ColoRail. resulted in the creation of the Network Glasgow and Edinburgh. He lives in Ridgway.
1550 Larimer St., Ste. 271 Denver, CO 80202
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Not always smooth sailing for railways View from the Ridge… by Jon Esty
A Pleasant Surprise... are in service elsewhere, generally on the lower density lines. Concrete ties and welded rail are used extensively Last spring my wife and I visited our son who lives in along with high-speed turnouts at many railway Cambridge, England. While there we had the good fortune to junctions. There are only a few grade crossings, which are reacquaint ourselves with the British rail system after a long generally located in rural parts of the country. The crossings absence. Not knowing what to expect we were very are well fortified and are attended. Orange jacketed Network pleasantly surprised. We purchased a rail pass in the US Rail maintenance personnel were seen working along the which allowed us unlimited travel for four separate days during which time we rode ten different trains. We found service was railroad in numerous locations. frequent, comfortable, punctual and fast (speeds of 80 to 125 It has not always been smooth sailing for British Rail. At the mph appeared to be the norm on most routes). conclusion of WWII, UK's four major private railroad lines were consolidated into a nationalized system. Freight traffic, which Passenger trains in the United Kingdom are run by over a had been the mainstay of British railroad profitability, plunged dozen private entities which are responsible for the operation with the construction of four lane "motorways" across the of trains "above the rail." Many of these companies are country. Though efforts were made to modernize by replacing subsidiaries of well-known international public transportation steam with diesel powered trains and adding electric trains to companies such as Virgin, First Group, Stagecoach, and some of the busier corridors, expenses rapidly grow and Keolis. The British transport ministry is responsible for franchising out the service and for monitoring the performance infrastructure deteriorated under government direction. of the companies, which operate the trains. In order to create a more efficient, cost-effective system, the Transport Act of 1962 established the British Railways Board Network Rail, on the other hand, maintains the railroad chaired by Dr. Richard Beeching. It was the Beeching infrastructure. The activities of this government structured Report which rationalized (downsized) large portions of the corporation are closely supervised by the Office of Rail system that were not highly utilized. About a third of the Regulation located within the transport ministry to make sure railway network was eliminated which included most branch the tracks, bridges, signals, and stations are kept in a state of lines. Of the 7,000 stations nation-wide, a total of 4,000 were good repair. Many of the popular long haul routes are shuttered. Despite all the line and station closures, British Rail electrified and trains are either locomotive drawn or are continued to be a large financial drain on government financial individually powered multiple units. Diesel multiple unit trains (Continued on page 7)
1550 Larimer St., Ste. 271 Denver, CO 80202