Re: Is Bypass line is service? Reality Check...
Author: Nussel Snouts
Date: 12-23-2017 - 17:18
No I stated last station Lakewood about 10 miles from the bridge and I was being extreme for insurance. I know the Cascades and Starlight will not be stopping at Lakewood. Thinking of the congestion on the other line being one of the problems and the slow order would be temporary until they get the PTC functioning. Plus the crews would have plenty of practice for the duration. The reason I stated last station, it being a landmark that would be hard to miss.
So it wood take 20 minutes at 30 mph to traverse the 10 miles vs at least 8 minutes at 79 mph allowing for time to slow the train to 30 mph. The total delay would be 12 minutes only 2 minutes longer than the Pt Defiance line on a good day, but they would still be relieving the congestion.
Remember I was intentionally being extreme in the slow order territory. I could have added a station stop at Lakewood to really emphasize the slow order. Not being a railroader and having no idea what it would take to guarantee the curve could be approached safely.