2013? If they want that to happen they had better start ordering equipment NOW. Lead time for cars and engines is around THREE YEARS and there are a lot of other transit agencies lined up ahead of them for current equipment. Toss in the fact that the Marin-ites are probably going to mandate emission-free and hush-hush trains and the choices of what to run are pretty limited. Projected passenger loads will also come into play: will they choose equipment like CalTrain or DMUs like the Oceanside - Escondido Coaster? What did they budget for?

As for the tracks and right of way: just about EVERY grade crossing will need to be rebuilt from scratch; existing equipment (if it works at all!) is pretty much obsolete and worn out. Ditto for stations - what is on the line will need to be repaired or renovated. And as it's all pretty much single track, some passing sidings will need to be put in place.

All in all, the railroad will need a complete do-over to support any serious activity.

That said, I wish SMART all the luck in the world. They'll need a good dose of it to make this happen.