California High Speed Rail Thread

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by TWAK

Dang, they left out SMART and the possible Napa line.

There is also a study to extend commuter rail north to Chico.

https://www.chicoer.com/2023/02/18/public-offered-update-on-possible-commuter-trains/

[TWAK]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

There is also a study to extend commuter rail north to Chico.

https://www.chicoer.com/2023/02/18/public-offered-update-on-possible-commuter-trains/

I did not know about this...
Here's a better look @ Napa and Solano:

Source

[jmecklenborg]

Interesting...it appears that the CAHSR tunnels will be roughly the same diameter as the u/c HS2 tunnels in England. However, because HS2 will operate narrower and shorter trains that comply with England's much tighter loading gauge, their trains will be able to operate significantly faster:


More:


My guess is that the 225mph speed thrown around regarding CAHSR is similar to the strategy for HS2 - it's a higher speed that allows behind-schedule trains to catch up.

[Busy Bee]

I would expect CAHSR to operate in the drag zones of the CV at or about the global HSR speed standard of 300kmh or just under 190mph. I've read that 200+ really starts to push the juice suckage through the roof and its deemed more energy efficient to operate normal revenue service sub-200mph. Even the Chinese are realizing this. Of course since the project has a design speed of 220mph, it still allows higher speeds to catch up with timetables.

[jmecklenborg]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

I've read that 200+ really starts to push the juice suckage through the roof and its deemed more energy efficient to operate normal revenue service sub-200mph.

This article argues that high speed rail is roughly 10X more energy efficient than passenger jets:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/fast-trains-are-energy-efficient-and-fast#toggle-gdpr

[nito]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

Interesting...it appears that the CAHSR tunnels will be roughly the same diameter as the u/c HS2 tunnels in England. However, because HS2 will operate narrower and shorter trains that comply with England's much tighter loading gauge, their trains will be able to operate significantly faster:

My guess is that the 225mph speed thrown around regarding CAHSR is similar to the strategy for HS2 - it's a higher speed that allows behind-schedule trains to catch up.

High service operating speeds have little to do with the dimensions of the train, but the track geometry, electrical supply and signalling systems.

HS2 will use two rolling stocks; a captive (continental HSR) 400m stock that is limited to HS2, and compatible stock (able to run on conventional lines) and 200m long. As is common across the UK railway industry, the compatible stock will operate in pairs (i.e. 200m+200m) at peak.

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

This article argues that high speed rail is roughly 10X more energy efficient than passenger jets:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/fast-trains-are-energy-efficient-and-fast#toggle-gdpr

You're missing the relatively minor electric usage point I'm trying to make. Every highly detailed HSR article I've ever read usually mentions that revenue speeds above 200mph taxes the traction power system inna way that usually lowers the overall efficiency. Revenue operation in the range of 175-185 mph is ideal for power draw in a way that 200+ is not.

[deanstirrat]

California High Speed Rail Authority has published new rendered animations of high speed rail trains entering and leaving an upgraded LA Union Station:https://twitter.com/i/status/1671025448669839364

[Busy Bee]

LAUS needs a huge glass train shed that encapsulates all these platforms. It needs a singular architectural statement. This just looks like a collection of platforms leaving passengers baking in the sun.

[MAC123]

I thought that was the plan all along. Look at the previous renders for this project.

Besides the station itself tho, the area around it is pathetic. It should look like the rest of DTLA

[sopas ej]

Maybe the point of that video was to show how the trains would run? I hope so.

Because I remember THIS:
• Video Link

[MAC123]

We damn well better be getting that ^
Have you seen the timeline and cost of the LinkUS project alone?

[38 Geary]

That looks much better.

[Busy Bee]

We already knew how the hsr trains would operate in and out of LAUS though. Then what's the point of that latest animation?

[markb1]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

We already knew how the hsr trains would operate in and out of LAUS though. Then what's the point of that latest animation?

I don't know, but CaHSRA didn't exactly publicize the video. They just dropped the video into their Box account, and somebody noticed. It may be related to the presentation Metro will be giving at the CaHSRA board meeting next week, in which they will attempt to explain how this project (Link US) has doubled in price.

[202_Cyclist]

DOWNTOWN FRESNO HIGH-SPEED RAIL STATION PROJECT GETS $20M INFUSION

The Business Journal
June 28, 2023

"The Federal Railroad Administration and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced Wednesday that $20 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program will benefit the Fresno High-Speed Rail Station Historic Depot Renovation and Plaza Activation Project.

The project will restore the historic passenger rail depot building in Fresno, near Chinatown and the site of the future high-speed rail station. The project will create a functioning park and plazas as spaces for early site activation efforts. The project will also integrate zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure into historically disadvantaged communities, according to a news release.

“The Federal Railroad Administration congratulates the California High-Speed Rail Authority on their latest $20 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, building on previous federal investments that will help deliver high-speed rail in America and provide people with an alternative to crowded highways and airports,” said FRA Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is transforming our country for the better, and it’s going to keep making unprecedented investments to advance the 21st-century rail that Americans need and deserve..."

https://thebusinessjournal.com/downtown-fresno-high-speed-rail-station-project-gets-20m-infusion/

[TowerDude]

When is the work on Union Station in LA going to start to make the High Speed Rail modifications?

[Busy Bee]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/high-speed-rail-station-18171642.php

[TowerDude]

I bet this project would be at least 8 years ahead of its current schedule had all those lawsuits against it not been filed.

[Busy Bee]

I don't think 8 years is the number but it definitely didn't help. The primary reason more robust progress hasn't been made is California's tepid commitment and lack of aggressive construction, but this is because they don't have the dedicated funding to go all in so they are trying to do what they can with what they have through the bond and grant $ and use the construction they do have as promotional propaganda and the IOS to leverage public support which will force the hand of reluctant Cal pols. If the federal government was a real and significant funding partner the story would be completely different. It's likely the mountain crossings, knowing they could take upwards of a decade to complete, would be under construction so they will be ready to connect the IOS to the bay and basin in short succession. That is what you would expect to be happening with a real state/federal commitment to the project.