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Re: Caltrain to buy more cars to ease commute crowding
Author: Memories of Subs on SP's Commute
Date: 09-11-2014 - 00:02
Paul Bendix of The Almanac (local rag serving several mid-Peninsula towns) writes that electrification of Caltrain could improve service by providing 12 stops per hour (SJ to SF), rather than the present-best 4 stops/hr by the Baby Bullet.
The Almanc, Paul Bendix
I think many others think that electrified Caltrain will solve all sorts of problems, not excluding world peace and ending hunger.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but, I think the Baby Bullet schedule is not determined by its use of slow-to-accelerate diesel locomotives and heavy rail cars, but due to the paucity of passing tracks on Caltrain (IIRC, only 2 in Sunnyvale and at Bayshore), and the 79 mph top speed for passenger trains.
I don't think electric Caltrain sets will support 12 stops/hr unless these two issues are addressed. In my observation, highway lane's capacity (cars/mile) actually goes down as speeds go up. Stop & go traffic seems pack a lot more cars per mile than vehicles driving at 65 mph with 2-3 car lengths between them.
The Almanc, Paul Bendix
I think many others think that electrified Caltrain will solve all sorts of problems, not excluding world peace and ending hunger.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but, I think the Baby Bullet schedule is not determined by its use of slow-to-accelerate diesel locomotives and heavy rail cars, but due to the paucity of passing tracks on Caltrain (IIRC, only 2 in Sunnyvale and at Bayshore), and the 79 mph top speed for passenger trains.
I don't think electric Caltrain sets will support 12 stops/hr unless these two issues are addressed. In my observation, highway lane's capacity (cars/mile) actually goes down as speeds go up. Stop & go traffic seems pack a lot more cars per mile than vehicles driving at 65 mph with 2-3 car lengths between them.
