xcel
06-09-2006, 01:19 PM
Biodiesel-fueled locomotives and passenger cars bears a passing resemblance to that clever bird who always outwitted Wiley Coyote. (http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=1045)
Bill Moore - EV World - June 8, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Albuquerque_Rail_Runner.jpg
Rail Runner Number 101. The Motive Power-built locomotive is one of five acquired to provide commuter rail service along a 50-mile corridor linking outlying communities to jobs and services in New Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque. The ten double-decker passenger cars are built by Bombardier in Quebec and can carry up to 200 passengers each.
Albuquerque isn't the "Big Apple", but if the citizens there can make commuter rail happen in New Mexico, to paraphrase the song, they can make it happen anywhere.
The system is called Rail Runner and takes its cue - not from the classic Warner Brother's "Road Runner" cartoon series - but from the state bird, Geococcyx californianus or more commonly called the Roadrunner. With maybe a tip of the hat to the WB, the logo emblazoned on the side of their brand spanking new, crisp white, biodiesel-fueled locomotives and passenger cars bears a passing resemblance to that clever bird who always outwitted Wiley Coyote.
Meep meep!
The new 50-mile commuter rail system will operate over former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) track that runs from Belen in the south to Sandoval City in the north. According to Chris Blewett, the director of transportation & planning services for New Mexico's Mid-Region Council of Governments, Rail Runner hopes to attract commuters who live along and at either end of the system and are beginning to find their commute times lengthening as traffic density on I-25 increases, while fuel prices continue to gradually climb. He estimates some 15,000 commuters drive from the south into their jobs in the city, while another 20,000 drive in from the north. Enabling them use their time more productively, while reducing both traffic congestion and air pollution from their vehicles, is Rail Runner's goal.
The system, which officially begins service July 14, 2006, currently consists of 5 diesel-electric locomotives built by Boise-based Motive Power. Ten double-decker commuter cars come from Bombardier in Canada. Each can seat 140 passengers with another sixty standing. Each train will consist of two-to-three passenger cars, for a capacity of up to 400-600 commuters. There will be three morning trips into Albuquerque from each direction, a single mid-day run the full length of the system, and then three outbound trains in the evening. An extra Friday night train is under consideration, as is weekend service.
Blewett calculates that while each locomotive gets just 1 mile per gallon of B20 diesel fuel, a full train will be getting as much as 600 passenger miles per gallon.
The project has been under consideration in New Mexico for sometime, but once the decision was made to fund it using both state and federal monies in 2003, development has been relatively fast. It took some 18 months of negotiation to acquire the single line of track from BNSF. Blewett explained that the track is in very good condition since it is also used by Amtrak, and is rated at 80 mph (128.9 km/hr).
Nine stations will serve the system and for the first 3 months fares will be free in hopes of enticing drivers out of their cars. Eventually, fares are expected to include all-day and monthly passes, with zone pricing planned for the future. The day pass will initially be $3 after the inaugural three months of free service.
Of course, not everyone will find the service of value, especially if they live or work more than 25 minutes from a station, but Blewett estimates that some 50,000 people work along the commuter rail corridor, which includes both a medical and university complex along the route. Planners have adjusted local transit bus schedules to facilitate riders getting from their station to their places of work.
One of the reasons the state has been interested in starting the service is because it cannot build sufficient highway infrastructure due to tribal lands, especially south of the Albuquerque. The state did a study and found that 50% of its population and 60% of its jobs are along the I-25 corridor between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It passes through five native communities, which restricts any plans to widen the Interstate. Looking 20 years out, planners calculated that the travel time between Albuquerque and the capital, a distance of some 55 miles, would lengthen to as much as two hours and twenty minutes because of highway congestion. Today, the trip can take just an hour according the Mapquest.
This has led the state to commence engineering and environmental studies to extend the Rail Runner to Santa Fe, a project that will include the construction of 16 miles of new track. Construction is expected to be complete in 30 months.
As Blewett pointed out, Rail Runner, is just one of a number of new and expanding commuter train services attracting riders in the United States who are tired of the daily grind and high fuel prices. He recognizes that the system is unlikely to ever be self-supporting from passenger fares alone or capable of operating without public subsidies, but he also noted that our current car-based system requires similar subsidies. For Rail Runner to be an attractive service, it needs to competitively priced, while meeting customer needs and expectations.
The project is part of Governor Bill Richardson's $1.5 billion transportation initiative that also includes highway improvement funds and new forms of transportation like Rail Runner, all resulting in local jobs creation. The 48 mile-long phase one - which includes some nine stations -- between Belen and Bernalillo costs $125 million or a little over $2 million a mile, which is a fraction of the $7 million a mile a new system would have cost. The purchase of the BNSF track cost $50 million, which is included in the $125 million price tag for Phase I.
Will the system someday be electrified? Blewett isn't sure. He just wants to make certain the July 14th kickoff comes off without a hitch. But given Governor Richardson' vision to introduce new technology - from Richard Branson's Virgin Space port to solar cell manufacturing - it wouldn't surprise me.
For now, this is a great beginning.
Bill Moore - EV World - June 8, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Albuquerque_Rail_Runner.jpg
Rail Runner Number 101. The Motive Power-built locomotive is one of five acquired to provide commuter rail service along a 50-mile corridor linking outlying communities to jobs and services in New Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque. The ten double-decker passenger cars are built by Bombardier in Quebec and can carry up to 200 passengers each.
Albuquerque isn't the "Big Apple", but if the citizens there can make commuter rail happen in New Mexico, to paraphrase the song, they can make it happen anywhere.
The system is called Rail Runner and takes its cue - not from the classic Warner Brother's "Road Runner" cartoon series - but from the state bird, Geococcyx californianus or more commonly called the Roadrunner. With maybe a tip of the hat to the WB, the logo emblazoned on the side of their brand spanking new, crisp white, biodiesel-fueled locomotives and passenger cars bears a passing resemblance to that clever bird who always outwitted Wiley Coyote.
Meep meep!
The new 50-mile commuter rail system will operate over former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) track that runs from Belen in the south to Sandoval City in the north. According to Chris Blewett, the director of transportation & planning services for New Mexico's Mid-Region Council of Governments, Rail Runner hopes to attract commuters who live along and at either end of the system and are beginning to find their commute times lengthening as traffic density on I-25 increases, while fuel prices continue to gradually climb. He estimates some 15,000 commuters drive from the south into their jobs in the city, while another 20,000 drive in from the north. Enabling them use their time more productively, while reducing both traffic congestion and air pollution from their vehicles, is Rail Runner's goal.
The system, which officially begins service July 14, 2006, currently consists of 5 diesel-electric locomotives built by Boise-based Motive Power. Ten double-decker commuter cars come from Bombardier in Canada. Each can seat 140 passengers with another sixty standing. Each train will consist of two-to-three passenger cars, for a capacity of up to 400-600 commuters. There will be three morning trips into Albuquerque from each direction, a single mid-day run the full length of the system, and then three outbound trains in the evening. An extra Friday night train is under consideration, as is weekend service.
Blewett calculates that while each locomotive gets just 1 mile per gallon of B20 diesel fuel, a full train will be getting as much as 600 passenger miles per gallon.
The project has been under consideration in New Mexico for sometime, but once the decision was made to fund it using both state and federal monies in 2003, development has been relatively fast. It took some 18 months of negotiation to acquire the single line of track from BNSF. Blewett explained that the track is in very good condition since it is also used by Amtrak, and is rated at 80 mph (128.9 km/hr).
Nine stations will serve the system and for the first 3 months fares will be free in hopes of enticing drivers out of their cars. Eventually, fares are expected to include all-day and monthly passes, with zone pricing planned for the future. The day pass will initially be $3 after the inaugural three months of free service.
Of course, not everyone will find the service of value, especially if they live or work more than 25 minutes from a station, but Blewett estimates that some 50,000 people work along the commuter rail corridor, which includes both a medical and university complex along the route. Planners have adjusted local transit bus schedules to facilitate riders getting from their station to their places of work.
One of the reasons the state has been interested in starting the service is because it cannot build sufficient highway infrastructure due to tribal lands, especially south of the Albuquerque. The state did a study and found that 50% of its population and 60% of its jobs are along the I-25 corridor between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It passes through five native communities, which restricts any plans to widen the Interstate. Looking 20 years out, planners calculated that the travel time between Albuquerque and the capital, a distance of some 55 miles, would lengthen to as much as two hours and twenty minutes because of highway congestion. Today, the trip can take just an hour according the Mapquest.
This has led the state to commence engineering and environmental studies to extend the Rail Runner to Santa Fe, a project that will include the construction of 16 miles of new track. Construction is expected to be complete in 30 months.
As Blewett pointed out, Rail Runner, is just one of a number of new and expanding commuter train services attracting riders in the United States who are tired of the daily grind and high fuel prices. He recognizes that the system is unlikely to ever be self-supporting from passenger fares alone or capable of operating without public subsidies, but he also noted that our current car-based system requires similar subsidies. For Rail Runner to be an attractive service, it needs to competitively priced, while meeting customer needs and expectations.
The project is part of Governor Bill Richardson's $1.5 billion transportation initiative that also includes highway improvement funds and new forms of transportation like Rail Runner, all resulting in local jobs creation. The 48 mile-long phase one - which includes some nine stations -- between Belen and Bernalillo costs $125 million or a little over $2 million a mile, which is a fraction of the $7 million a mile a new system would have cost. The purchase of the BNSF track cost $50 million, which is included in the $125 million price tag for Phase I.
Will the system someday be electrified? Blewett isn't sure. He just wants to make certain the July 14th kickoff comes off without a hitch. But given Governor Richardson' vision to introduce new technology - from Richard Branson's Virgin Space port to solar cell manufacturing - it wouldn't surprise me.
For now, this is a great beginning.