Sparks Wrote:
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> 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.

NCRA HAS UPDATED THE SIGNAL CROSSINGS new controls and gates
from lombard in napa county to santa rosa 95% finished
and from petaluma to windsor 80% finished ?
timber bridge repairs ongoing rr slougn and wingo finished

check out ncra web site they are the ones doing most of the repairs not smart at this time

as for novato south of the y hwy 37 to larkspur no repairs have been done yet
new ties and welded rail will be goimg in place in san rafael were hwy 101 widing work is going on
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.