Comments on: Customize Your High Speed Rail Car http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Fri, 25 May 2012 09:05:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jon Morgan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38907 Jon Morgan Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:55:39 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38907 Only if the trains aren't fast enough. ;)
Only if the trains aren’t fast enough. ;)

]]> By: Jon Morgan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38906 Jon Morgan Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:53:32 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38906 But we don't have the grade- and otherwise-separated track for intercity trains, smoothing curves and topography, that France has built. That's gonna cost a much bigger boatload of money.
But we don’t have the grade- and otherwise-separated track for intercity trains, smoothing curves and topography, that France has built. That’s gonna cost a much bigger boatload of money.

]]> By: Jon Morgan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38905 Jon Morgan Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:46:35 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38905 The amount of money spent on advertising cars in the US is staggering (I like David Suzuki's suggestion that they should have to be portrayed stuck in traffic rather than barreling down empty switchback roads). Against that backdrop, I think there's a compelling argument that the public sector should spend some money advertising transit (but I mean effective campaigns like Sound Transit's last summer; not the dopey one Metro's running). This is a great example of how transit can be promoted as sexy, sleek, fast, state of the art, etc. just as cars are now. It might also be good to use in advocacy for a dedicated federal funding source for local transit and intercity rail. Advertising is part of what we need to do to make transit at least equal to cars overall in the public's perception.
The amount of money spent on advertising cars in the US is staggering (I like David Suzuki’s suggestion that they should have to be portrayed stuck in traffic rather than barreling down empty switchback roads). Against that backdrop, I think there’s a compelling argument that the public sector should spend some money advertising transit (but I mean effective campaigns like Sound Transit’s last summer; not the dopey one Metro’s running). This is a great example of how transit can be promoted as sexy, sleek, fast, state of the art, etc. just as cars are now. It might also be good to use in advocacy for a dedicated federal funding source for local transit and intercity rail. Advertising is part of what we need to do to make transit at least equal to cars overall in the public’s perception.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38665 Andrew Smith Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:15:11 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38665 In New York the staten island ferry sells beer. It's pretty awesome when the weather is great to get a beer, take a city and enjoy the scenery.
In New York the staten island ferry sells beer. It’s pretty awesome when the weather is great to get a beer, take a city and enjoy the scenery.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38664 Andrew Smith Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:14:01 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38664 They have toilets, right? You definitely need that.
They have toilets, right? You definitely need that.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38663 Andrew Smith Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:13:19 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38663 I bet this was targeted at California.
I bet this was targeted at California.

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38654 Chris Stefan Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:25:17 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38654 Well while it isn't nearly enough the recent increase in Federal funding is a good start to improving intercity service.
Well while it isn’t nearly enough the recent increase in Federal funding is a good start to improving intercity service.

]]> By: Kyle http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38630 Kyle Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:08:52 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38630 Metro North still has bar cars as does the Long Island Rail Road. Most times it is not an actual car with a sit down bar or lounge-type seating but an employee with a tub of ice and beer standing behind a collapsible table. Nothing even close to an Amtrak lounge car. It's also pretty affordable. 5 bucks for a 20 ounce can. Unfortunately New Jersey Transit does not have bar cars and although legal, drinking is much less common on NJT than on MN or LIRR. At both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station there are carts on the platform (GCT) or at the top of the stairs (Penn) that sell beer as most trains are without bar cars. It seems to be only certain evening trains, or special summer scheduled trains, that actually have the cars.
Metro North still has bar cars as does the Long Island Rail Road. Most times it is not an actual car with a sit down bar or lounge-type seating but an employee with a tub of ice and beer standing behind a collapsible table. Nothing even close to an Amtrak lounge car. It’s also pretty affordable. 5 bucks for a 20 ounce can.

Unfortunately New Jersey Transit does not have bar cars and although legal, drinking is much less common on NJT than on MN or LIRR. At both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station there are carts on the platform (GCT) or at the top of the stairs (Penn) that sell beer as most trains are without bar cars. It seems to be only certain evening trains, or special summer scheduled trains, that actually have the cars.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38612 Ben Schiendelman Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:57:49 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38612 I was just on Metro North a few times, I didn't see any. :(
I was just on Metro North a few times, I didn’t see any. :(

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38611 Ben Schiendelman Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:56:49 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38611 I think that FRA regs need only very small tweaks. The real problem is in funding an intercity system.
I think that FRA regs need only very small tweaks. The real problem is in funding an intercity system.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38610 Ben Schiendelman Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:56:11 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38610 The FRA gives great latitude to interior designs. And the steamer trunks go at the end of the car, just as they do today...
The FRA gives great latitude to interior designs.

And the steamer trunks go at the end of the car, just as they do today…

]]> By: lloyd http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38588 lloyd Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:19:02 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38588 The New Haven Railway, now Metro North, have had bar cars for decades and they have been money makers as well as "community" builders. Metra in Chicago discontinued theirs last summer during $4 petrol to put in more seating. Does anyone know if any other commuter railways offer this level of customer service?
The New Haven Railway, now Metro North, have had bar cars for decades and they have been money makers as well as “community” builders. Metra in Chicago discontinued theirs last summer during $4 petrol to put in more seating. Does anyone know if any other commuter railways offer this level of customer service?

]]> By: DJStroky http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38585 DJStroky Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:06:07 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38585 hmm, got a point there. Perhaps <a href="http://www.tacomadome.org/shared/event_detail.aspx?EventID=3531289&WebLink=4C1.2613D7D3" rel="nofollow">AC/DC</a> concerts would be more fitting.
hmm, got a point there. Perhaps AC/DC concerts would be more fitting.

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38580 Chris Stefan Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:45:14 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38580 Not a bad idea. The ferries sell a lot of booze on game days. Though I'm not sure about Britney Spears, how much of her fan base is really old enough to drink? ;-)
Not a bad idea. The ferries sell a lot of booze on game days. Though I’m not sure about Britney Spears, how much of her fan base is really old enough to drink? ;-)

]]> By: DJStroky http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38574 DJStroky Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:11:29 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38574 Dear Sound Transit: Please turn one of your cars into a 21+ only car with a full bar for special events like Seahawks, Mariners and Sounders Games as well as Britney Spears concerts. Sincerely, DJStroky
Dear Sound Transit:

Please turn one of your cars into a 21+ only car with a full bar for special events like Seahawks, Mariners and Sounders Games as well as Britney Spears concerts.

Sincerely,
DJStroky

]]> By: Mike B http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38557 Mike B Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:13:42 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38557 It really helps that trains aren't as limited on weight as planes are. And the power mechanism is smaller and no longer takes up an entire car or two.
It really helps that trains aren’t as limited on weight as planes are. And the power mechanism is smaller and no longer takes up an entire car or two.

]]> By: Mike B http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38555 Mike B Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:12:16 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38555 Alstom might be suggesting something to California. Its a big deal. 20-30 trainsets plus maintenance is a good chunk of change for them.
Alstom might be suggesting something to California. Its a big deal. 20-30 trainsets plus maintenance is a good chunk of change for them.

]]> By: Mike B http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38554 Mike B Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:11:10 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38554 Its really too bad that FRA standards haven't kept up with todays needs in rail transit. We can't get cheap European DMU's because they're uncompliant. The Acela is too heavy and can't accelerate very well while the weight causes massive stresses on the running gear. It cost more than an off-the shelf, proven TGV. We can't use European trainsets because they're not "safe enough". I seem to remember it took some work to get the FRA to allow the Talgo transets to operate in the US. AGV's for the USA!
Its really too bad that FRA standards haven’t kept up with todays needs in rail transit. We can’t get cheap European DMU’s because they’re uncompliant. The Acela is too heavy and can’t accelerate very well while the weight causes massive stresses on the running gear. It cost more than an off-the shelf, proven TGV. We can’t use European trainsets because they’re not “safe enough”. I seem to remember it took some work to get the FRA to allow the Talgo transets to operate in the US.

AGV’s for the USA!

]]> By: Gary http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38553 Gary Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:10:05 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38553 Reminds me of the layouts of the early airliners.. with the adjustment for what was considered modern at the time. Still you can easily see how much more room they have two work with vs an airline. I suspect that the additional cost of a car on a train is way less than the "wasted" space on an airplane. Just rewatched "Slum Dog Millionaire" last night and looking at the crowded trains reminds me of the flights we have have now in comparison to this fancy Lexus train ad.
Reminds me of the layouts of the early airliners.. with the adjustment for what was considered modern at the time. Still you can easily see how much more room they have two work with vs an airline. I suspect that the additional cost of a car on a train is way less than the “wasted” space on an airplane.

Just rewatched “Slum Dog Millionaire” last night and looking at the crowded trains reminds me of the flights we have have now in comparison to this fancy Lexus train ad.

]]> By: Squints http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/customize-your-high-speed-rail-car/#comment-38538 Squints Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:29:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3625#comment-38538 I want one.
I want one.

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