Passenger Trains > Amtrak looking to put Depot at Loma Linda (CA.)

I caught this in the San Bernardino Sun newspaper while sitting around the locker room the other day. Though it was pretty interesting.-BMT

Amtrak looks at putting train depot in Loma Linda
By Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/31/2008 10:05:06 PM PDT


LOMA LINDA - Amtrak is interested in putting a train depot in the city, officials said.
In August, the city asked the company to study whether a depot would make economic sense.

"They found it could be profitable for a station stop to be located in Loma Linda," City Manager Dennis Halloway said.

The city must develop a station plan and identify any improvements that are needed to the railroad through the area.

Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, must sign off on the city's proposal.

"The revenue and ridership support the stop (in Loma Linda)," said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham. "If everything works out the way it needs to, we recommend adding the stop there."

The location of the depot has not been determined. The city would have to seek money from the state or federal government or other sources to build the station, Halloway said.

"It sounds exciting," Mayor Stan Brauer said. "It's the first step of a long process."

The city has set up a task force to look at cost, location and other details. The task force is made up of Halloway, Councilman Robert Ziprick, Fire Department Division Chief Rolland Crawford and a representative of Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Amtrak recommended that Loma Linda officials talk to the city of Indio, which is going through the same process of trying to get a station.

Halloway said there are two sites that make sense. One is near the new
Centennial Complex at Loma Linda University. The other is near Elmer Digneo Park on the east side of Anderson Street.
"There's a lot of out-of-town visitors who come to the university for medical reasons and conventions and reunions," Halloway said. "Plus, high gas prices and the high cost of commuting by car are other reasons why people would want to use the train instead of other modes of transportation."

Ziprick said he wants the Amtrak depot to provide a connection to the proposed high-speed sbX bus service slated to run from Cal State San Bernardino to the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center. The 16-mile bus route is scheduled to start operating in January 2012.

"We want the sbX to eventually cross the Amtrak line at the place where there's a station," Ziprick said. The station could serve as a transit center and provide shuttle service to hospitals, hotels and other destinations, he said. A Metrolink connection also could be part of the equation, Ziprick said.

While Amtrak is not a commuter train at this point, he said it would make sense for people who are staying in the area for several days.

Amtrak trains now pass through the city three days a week - Sunday, Wednesday and Friday - on their way from Los Angeles to New Orleans.

Eventually, the city would like to provide daily Amtrak service on the "Sunset Limited" line.

The nearest stops on the Sunset Limited are in Ontario and Palm Springs.

"This fills a hole in a pretty big geographic and population area," Ziprick said. "Our goal is to make our community and surrounding communities as competitive as we can in challenging economic times. Adding this amenity of a train service will bring strength to the area."

stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com

(909) 386-3916

Hope this happens. I heard Indio is already getting their station built. Its going to be on the site of where this years Coachella Express stopped.

Tony

I was out there back in September. And Didn't look like Indio had started on building their station yet. All I saw was a sign to where the Indio Transit Center is suppose to be.

As for Loma Linda. I think that is a perfect place to put a Train Station. Specially if they place the Station right next to Loma Linda Medical/University.

My only comment is that as of right now, there is no where (trackage wise) to put a station. UP's double track begins right after the crossovers at Rancho and begins the slow assault of Beaumont hill from there, passing by Loma Linda on its way into the Canyon. The inconvenience of stopping #1/2 right there on the double track directional main, at the base of the hill mind you, makes no sense to me. I guess if it were only a couple minutes it might not be a problem, but it would seem to me a siding would need to be built to accommodate this. I guess we will see.

The hill begins at the river bridge and it's not all that steep that an 8-10 car passenger train is going to have a problem stopping or starting on grade.
It's 2MT CTC with a crossover at Loma Linda though I suspect they'd put platforms on both sides.
I see plenty of space for such a station at Anderson, adjacent to the LLMC.
Metrolink still has a long-distance wet dream of service on the Sunset route.


TCS - bryn mawr de gras

TopcoatSmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The hill begins at the river bridge and it's not
> all that steep that an 8-10 car passenger train is
> going to have a problem stopping or starting on
> grade.
> It's 2MT CTC with a crossover at Loma Linda though
> I suspect they'd put platforms on both sides.
> I see plenty of space for such a station at
> Anderson, adjacent to the LLMC.
> Metrolink still has a long-distance wet dream of
> service on the Sunset route.
>
>
> TCS - bryn mawr de graw

True. My comment was more directed towards 75 car freight trains coming down the hill into Colton.

If you take a look at 1 & 2s schedule you will see that it is definitely not convenient for daily commuter use. #1 goes thru mid AM Wed., Fri & Sun. #2 goes thru mid PM Sun., Wed. & Fri. Passengers would have to stay 2+ days, i.e make a long term visit. It would make more sense for Metrolink to go thru there daily, but you can bet UP would have a cow!

BNSFCajon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you take a look at 1 & 2s schedule you will see
> that it is definitely not convenient for daily
> commuter use. #1 goes thru mid AM Wed., Fri & Sun.
> #2 goes thru mid PM Sun., Wed. & Fri. Passengers
> would have to stay 2+ days, i.e make a long term
> visit. It would make more sense for Metrolink to
> go thru there daily, but you can bet UP would have
> a cow!


Besides, Metro already owns the old Redlands Branch which is just a couple of blocks away with connections to the IEOC and San Bern lines.

Ah yes, the dead-end branch to nowhere, maybe they can put a lead into the Dispatch office too, DS's need to get to work too ya know.
Many procedures at LLMC are not overnighters to begin with so long term stays are already part of the equation.


TCS - now if they relaid the branch all the way to the casino ... (oops, gamblers don't ride trains).