Electrify! Caltrain is doing it, and so should Metrolink. It’s the best proven way to increase frequency while reducing emissions and noise. Idealistically the entire Metrolink system could be under wire, but realistically it would be the most heavily-used routes that are owned by SCRRA. The San Bernardino Line should be at the top of the list, being the busiest route with room to grow, especially with the planned Brightline West connection in Rancho Cucamonga. Next would be the Orange County Line to at least Irvine or Laguna Niguel, and ideally all the way to San Diego once the tracks along the coast are firmly secured/moved inland. CAHSR, if/when it ever reaches LA and SoCal, already plans to electrify and share the corridor between Burbank and Anaheim, and Metrolink could be positioned to share those tracks for its own cleaner, more frequent service between those cities. After those would be the Ventura County Line to Moorpark, and the Antelope Valley Line to at least Santa Clarita. If the AV Line were to be electrified all the way to Palmdale, double-tracked as much as possible and speeds increased to 110mph where feasible, it would provide faster service between LA and the AV, not to mention more frequent, cleaner and quieter train service for northern LA county. Beyond that, an electrified AV Line could then allow CAHSR to theoretically share those tracks until their own tracks are completed. CAHSR has and still faces numerous challenges, most notably a lack of committed funding, which brings into question if it’ll ever reach SF, let alone LA. CAHSR is committed to reaching both, with priority going to SF first. Electrifying Caltrain gives it a path to SF once it crosses Pacheco Pass, sharing tracks from Gilroy. If a similar approach were taken to reaching LA by sharing tracks from Palmdale, at least interim, it would greater guarantee HSR reaches LA in the foreseeable future and start to provide direct LA-SF service sooner. Electrifying Caltrain greatly improves its commuter rail operations, allowing faster, more frequent service that’s quieter and zero emissions. The same should be done for Metrolink, which despite its much larger network and population base doesn’t have nearly as much ridership as it potentially could. Increasing service frequency would be a big step toward gaining higher ridership, and going electric means it does so while reducing emissions and noise. The CA State Rail Plan doesn’t seem to call for electrifying Metrolink. That needs to change. SoCal, and the LA Basin especially, is notorious for its poor air quality, mainly caused by auto but also transit emissions. Going zero emissions for transit is a must, and electrification is proven across the world to be the best way to do that. We deserve better rail service too, just as much as the Bay Area and NorCal does. SoCal won’t see the benefits of HSR for more than a decade, and probably two, if it ever does. Building electrified regional rail now starts to bring HSR’s benefits here sooner, just as it’s doing for the SF Peninsula, as well as helps SoCal reach its climate goals.
I like everything about score except the quiet zone, stop, look, and don't listen? EDIT: What if the crossing gates malfunction? and the gates don't go down until the train is already in the intersection but the rail is on a blind spot curve
I had a hard time trying to figure out leaving and returning train and times. Human contact would help. Hopefully I will get to my destination without problems.
James F. Electric also equals more money, so they would need to increase your fare, and my experience is usually that electrifying something usually ends up causing lots more problems and delays.
@@Amrepdude499 Capital costs to install the wiring are high, but once the electrical system is in place operating costs should drop significantly. Diesel fuel is more expensive than electricity.
![Trains Throughout Southern California [Metrolink K5LA, Heritage Units, & SCAX 926]](/img/n.gif)
Our future unfolding with SCORE. Great job SCRRA and joint members on creating the future of transportation with sustainability in mind.
Electrify! Caltrain is doing it, and so should Metrolink. It’s the best proven way to increase frequency while reducing emissions and noise. Idealistically the entire Metrolink system could be under wire, but realistically it would be the most heavily-used routes that are owned by SCRRA.
The San Bernardino Line should be at the top of the list, being the busiest route with room to grow, especially with the planned Brightline West connection in Rancho Cucamonga. Next would be the Orange County Line to at least Irvine or Laguna Niguel, and ideally all the way to San Diego once the tracks along the coast are firmly secured/moved inland. CAHSR, if/when it ever reaches LA and SoCal, already plans to electrify and share the corridor between Burbank and Anaheim, and Metrolink could be positioned to share those tracks for its own cleaner, more frequent service between those cities.
After those would be the Ventura County Line to Moorpark, and the Antelope Valley Line to at least Santa Clarita. If the AV Line were to be electrified all the way to Palmdale, double-tracked as much as possible and speeds increased to 110mph where feasible, it would provide faster service between LA and the AV, not to mention more frequent, cleaner and quieter train service for northern LA county.
Beyond that, an electrified AV Line could then allow CAHSR to theoretically share those tracks until their own tracks are completed. CAHSR has and still faces numerous challenges, most notably a lack of committed funding, which brings into question if it’ll ever reach SF, let alone LA. CAHSR is committed to reaching both, with priority going to SF first. Electrifying Caltrain gives it a path to SF once it crosses Pacheco Pass, sharing tracks from Gilroy. If a similar approach were taken to reaching LA by sharing tracks from Palmdale, at least interim, it would greater guarantee HSR reaches LA in the foreseeable future and start to provide direct LA-SF service sooner.
Electrifying Caltrain greatly improves its commuter rail operations, allowing faster, more frequent service that’s quieter and zero emissions. The same should be done for Metrolink, which despite its much larger network and population base doesn’t have nearly as much ridership as it potentially could. Increasing service frequency would be a big step toward gaining higher ridership, and going electric means it does so while reducing emissions and noise.
The CA State Rail Plan doesn’t seem to call for electrifying Metrolink. That needs to change. SoCal, and the LA Basin especially, is notorious for its poor air quality, mainly caused by auto but also transit emissions. Going zero emissions for transit is a must, and electrification is proven across the world to be the best way to do that.
We deserve better rail service too, just as much as the Bay Area and NorCal does. SoCal won’t see the benefits of HSR for more than a decade, and probably two, if it ever does. Building electrified regional rail now starts to bring HSR’s benefits here sooner, just as it’s doing for the SF Peninsula, as well as helps SoCal reach its climate goals.
I like everything about score except the quiet zone, stop, look, and don't listen?
EDIT: What if the crossing gates malfunction? and the gates don't go down until the train is already in the intersection but the rail is on a blind spot curve
Horns are of course used in emergencies, like anywhere in the world.
They need to extend this throughout California and also put this in all other states to improve it everywhere. :-)
I had a hard time trying to figure out leaving and returning train and times. Human contact would help. Hopefully I will get to my destination without problems.
Electrify, please! At least get the busiest lines. Electric = faster and zero emissions.
James F. Electric also equals more money, so they would need to increase your fare, and my experience is usually that electrifying something usually ends up causing lots more problems and delays.
@@Amrepdude499 Capital costs to install the wiring are high, but once the electrical system is in place operating costs should drop significantly. Diesel fuel is more expensive than electricity.
My sister says your better than Amtrak
Cody’s Rail Productions pricewise, 100%