Passenger Trains > LVRJ:Vegas-to-SoCal rail line could get spring construction start

After missing its planned 2020 construction start date, the company behind the high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Southern California is hopeful work could begin this year.Brightline West plans to begin construction on the approximately 170-mile rail line between Southern Nevada and Victorville, California, as early as the spring, according to a project status update filed Jan. 4 with the Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority.[...]
https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/vegas-to-socal-rail-line-could-get-spring-construction-start-2252248/

Still no word on a rail connection between Victorville and LAUPT ?

There's talk about either (or both)
1. Running along the I-15 corridor to the Metrolink San Bernardino Line, near Rancho Cucamonga station. Passengers would either transfer to/from
Metrolink there, or the train would continue to LAUPT, providing a one-seat ride. (Capacity between RC and LAUPT would really have to be beefed up for
that to work)

2. Running west from Victorville to Palmdale, then connecting with/continuing by Metrolink (and in the future, CAHSR) to LAUPT. 

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/21 13:32 by cph.

Has anyone thought of the simple fact Amtrak has the sole and exclusive right to operate "interstate" rail service? Which boils down to a private company can build their own RoW although per FEDERAL LAW Amtrak is the only "legal" operator of interstate passenger transportation unless they opt out. Which boils down to, Brightline may build their RoW yet Amtrak has the right under federal law to operate the service. Brighline may own the railroad etc although Amtrak retains the "exclusive right" under federal law to be the SOLE contractor to operate such service. 

This would be a win fall for Amtrak being Brightline spends all the money, pays for the bonds yet Amtrak may (legally) obligate Brightline to pay for all operating crews. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/21 18:50 by YoungOldHead.

YoungOldHead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Has anyone thought of the simple fact Amtrak has
> the sole and exclusive right to operate
> "interstate" rail service? Which boils down to a
> private company can build their own RoW although
> per FEDERAL LAW Amtrak is the only "legal"
> operator of interstate passenger transportation
> unless they opt out. Which boils down to,
> Brightline may build their RoW yet Amtrak has the
> right under federal law to operate the service.
> Brighline may own the railroad etc although Amtrak
> retains the "exclusive right" under federal law to
> be the SOLE contractor to operate such service. 
>
> This would be a win fall for Amtrak being
> Brightline spends all the money, pays for the
> bonds yet Amtrak may (legally) obligate Brightline
> to pay for all operating crews. 

Dont quit your day job.

I would be really surprised of the folks at Brightline would spend billions of dollars without already having considered the interstate passenger service issue.

Posted from iPhone

kevink Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would be really surprised of the folks at
> Brightline would spend billions of dollars without
> already having considered the interstate passenger
> service issue.
>

The distance is far less than the 700 miles below which Amtrak won't touch.

TAW

So they're going a entirely new line through Cajon Pass? This should be interesting...

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So they're going a entirely new line through Cajon
> Pass? This should be interesting...

If thats the way they decide to go, the line will be in the median of I-15 the wholw way.  I expect mostly single track with some stretches of double track for passing.
IDK what the grade is on 1-15 up Cajon Pass.   I guess up to 6% for passenger trains would work, altho obviously not preferred

Electric rack railroad, ask the Swiss and Germans. 

pdt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So they're going a entirely new line through
> Cajon
> > Pass? This should be interesting...
>
> If thats the way they decide to go, the line will
> be in the median of I-15 the wholw way.  I expect
> mostly single track with some stretches of double
> track for passing.
> IDK what the grade is on 1-15 up Cajon Pass.   I
> guess up to 6% for passenger trains would work,
> altho obviously not preferred

Here we go again, guaranteed Dead on Arival by Spring!

Posted from Android

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here we go again, guaranteed Dead on Arival by
> Spring!
>
> Posted from Android

It's not even April Fool's yet ! LOL

SP4360 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Electric rack railroad, ask the Swiss and
> Germans. 
>
> pdt Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > PHall Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > So they're going a entirely new line through
> > Cajon
> > > Pass? This should be interesting...
> >
> > If thats the way they decide to go, the line
> will
> > be in the median of I-15 the wholw way.  I
> expect
> > mostly single track with some stretches of
> double
> > track for passing.
> > IDK what the grade is on 1-15 up Cajon Pass.  
> I
> > guess up to 6% for passenger trains would work,
> > altho obviously not preferred


And rack railroads are how fast?  IIRC not very.

cph Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After missing its planned 2020 construction start
> date, the company behind the high-speed rail
> project between Las Vegas and Southern California
> is hopeful work could begin this year.Brightline
> West plans to begin construction on the
> approximately 170-mile rail line between Southern
> Nevada and Victorville, California, as early as
> the spring, according to a project status update
> filed Jan. 4 with the Nevada High-Speed Rail
> Authority.[...]
> https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tourism/veg
> as-to-socal-rail-line-could-get-spring-constructio
> n-start-2252248/

Excuse me but they couldn't get anyone to indulge in the fall bond issue that had to be withdrawn. Aint gonna happen.

No need to worry about routes or Amtrak rights.

WP17
 

Didnt this pipe dream already die a death with bonds being pulled or something to that affect? 

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SP4360 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Electric rack railroad, ask the Swiss and
> > Germans. 
> >
> And rack railroads are how fast?  IIRC not very.

Possible sarcasm from SP4360?

Note the word 'hopeful' in the press release.   The status report to Nevada may be required to keep the project alive, or at least in view of the state legislature.   Selling bonds in Florida,  where Brighline actually operates trains,  is a different universe from selling bonds to finance a railroad that is essentially a point to point project serving a casino/entertainment destination with no intermediate traffic to speak of.   As I mentioned last time,  can't wait to see what the interest rate will be on any NV/CA bond issues.  And following I-15 on Cajon Pass.  Have they driven from Hwy 138 to the highway summit? Shay territory.

TAW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> kevink Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I would be really surprised of the folks at
> > Brightline would spend billions of dollars
> without
> > already having considered the interstate
> passenger
> > service issue.
> >
>
> The distance is far less than the 700 miles below
> which Amtrak won't touch.
>
> TAW

To be fair, they don't touch anything *over* 700 miles either.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Can be amended with the stroke of a pen.

#lobbying

Tom


YoungOldHead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Has anyone thought of the simple fact Amtrak has
> the sole and exclusive right to operate
> "interstate" rail service? Which boils down to a
> private company can build their own RoW although
> per FEDERAL LAW Amtrak is the only "legal"
> operator of interstate passenger transportation
> unless they opt out. Which boils down to,
> Brightline may build their RoW yet Amtrak has the
> right under federal law to operate the service.
> Brighline may own the railroad etc although Amtrak
> retains the "exclusive right" under federal law to
> be the SOLE contractor to operate such service. 
>
> This would be a win fall for Amtrak being
> Brightline spends all the money, pays for the
> bonds yet Amtrak may (legally) obligate Brightline
> to pay for all operating crews. 

pdt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > So they're going a entirely new line through
> Cajon
> > Pass? This should be interesting...
>
> If thats the way they decide to go, the line will
> be in the median of I-15 the wholw way.  I expect
> mostly single track with some stretches of double
> track for passing.
> IDK what the grade is on 1-15 up Cajon Pass.   I
> guess up to 6% for passenger trains would work,
> altho obviously not preferred

You obviously missed the earlier discussions on Mountain Pass. Even 4.5% grade is not realistic, based on already-constructed HSR segments around the world. 6%? ARE YOU KIDDING?