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Re: Brightline takes over Victorville-Vegas (yes HSR) rail project
Author: Max Wyss
Date: 09-18-2018 - 14:15
Well, if 140 mph (220 km/h) would count as "intermediate".
However, this is IMHO a relatively bad design speed, because it is just too fast for economically viable diesel operation, and therefore does need electrification. And then, the question is, why not design it for at least 249 km/h (in Europe, 250 km/h is a threshold, where regulations get stricter, and more paperwork is needed for certification.
Of course, the question is which speed would be necessary to get an optimum service pattern (travel time plus 10 minutes should be a multiple of 30 minutes, which would permit a 30 minutes interval). Setting such a target would then determine the standard of the line. (and then not forget that it is the slow parts which take time).
One of the keys for success with Brightline is that their owners also own good real estate where the stations are. Is this also the case with LA-LV?
However, this is IMHO a relatively bad design speed, because it is just too fast for economically viable diesel operation, and therefore does need electrification. And then, the question is, why not design it for at least 249 km/h (in Europe, 250 km/h is a threshold, where regulations get stricter, and more paperwork is needed for certification.
Of course, the question is which speed would be necessary to get an optimum service pattern (travel time plus 10 minutes should be a multiple of 30 minutes, which would permit a 30 minutes interval). Setting such a target would then determine the standard of the line. (and then not forget that it is the slow parts which take time).
One of the keys for success with Brightline is that their owners also own good real estate where the stations are. Is this also the case with LA-LV?
