Daily rail service to Tulsa could be just six months away.

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission sold the Sooner Sub line, a railroad between Sapulpa and Midwest City, for $75 million to the Stillwater Central Railroad, LLC. The deal is expected to finalize in July and the railway could begin running as early as November 2014.

The planned line will have stops in Bristow, and Stroud, with the ends of the line at Midwest City and Sapulpa.

This train ride takes longer than driving the same distance at approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, however plans have been laid to eventually reduce the running time to less than two hours. The final implementation will have eight weekday roundtrips and five weekend roundtrips, but will begin with two daily and increase to six weekday and five weekend incrementally before reaching the final run.

Ticket prices are far from being set in stone, but Easter Flyer’s website lists expected average coach fare at $15 and first class at $39 with a $6 charge for the shuttle services. The Excursion prices in February ranged from $64 to $259. The prices will be affordable to their key demographic: students without licenses or vehicles, and seniors who, for whatever reason, prefer not to drive. However, first class tickets will always be available for upscale transportation.

The train stations will have dedicated shuttles on-site for taking commuters from the dropoff point to Bricktown, Downtown Tulsa, the airports and several additional locations surrounding each dropoff point.

“For passenger service we’re going to work very closely with the Iowa Pacific,” Said Richard Webb, Chief Executive officer of Stillwater Central. “The Iowa Pacific and our company put together the trial program in December of last year, which those sold out without any advertisement so we,re coordinating over the next 60 days and when we want to start. We are anticipating getting that started sometime this fall.”

This trial program route was tested back in February with 3 demonstration runs that sold out in 3 weeks, as people wanted to be a part of this historic event. Passenger trains have not run between Tulsa and OKC for more than 70 years.

“The demand for rail travel continues to grow and ticket sales crushed our revenue goal of 300 tickets,” said Angela Arias, vice president of marketing for Iowa Pacific Premier Rail Collection.

Daily passenger rail from MWC to Tulsa coming soon - Eastword News - Midwest City, OK (http://eastwordnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=27&ArticleID=4987&TM=79387.01)

Here some other links:

Send the Flyer North & East | Passenger Rail Oklahoma | 21st Century Transportation (http://passengerrailok.org)

Odot's Freight and Passenger Rail Plan: Oklahoma Freight and Passenger Rail Plan (http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/rail/rail-plan/index.php)

Heartland Flyer (http://heartlandflyer.com)

buy tickets: Oklahoma City, OK Train Station (OKC) | Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=OKC)

Some of this might be HSR, some is not Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study (http://www.txdot.gov/content/txdot/en/inside-txdot/projects/studies/statewide/texas-oklahoma-rail.html/)

Uber drivers in OKC are going to cash in. Is Uber in Tulsa yet?

Uber drivers in OKC are going to cash in. Is Uber in Tulsa yet?

It is, Lyft too. What has to happen though to get each line extended to downtown OKC and Tulsa? How long will this ride take?

According to the article the ride will take nearly 3 hours (but be stress free). I guess one good thing about the oil shipments is that it will provide the funding to improve the rail which the article says will decrease travel time to under 2 hours, which is how fast a person driving the speed limit can do it. OKC and Tulsa will join a very short list of major cities in the US connected by rail that isn't part of Amtrak. West Palm-Ft Lauderdale-Miami (Tri-Rail), Oakland-San Jose-San Francisco-Stockton (Caltrain/BART/ACE), Tacoma-Seattle (Sounder), and Ft. Worth-Dallas (TRE) are the only ones that come to mind.

It will be a good alternative, but drive time from MWC to Sapulpa is 1 hr & 25 minutes. Downtown OKC to Tulsa is 1 hr 36 driving. Train will be longer and require multiple forms of transport. That said, if they can get direct downtown to downtown OKC/Tulsa then it will really be a good alternative. Then they can do one or two express trains a day and the rest as locals. Then it will be more than a novelty.

...that is if you own a car and have a drivers license, otherwise the trip is 5 days - give or take 12 hours.

From the article:


The prices will be affordable to their key demographic: students without licenses or vehicles, and seniors who, for whatever reason, prefer not to drive

It will be a good alternative, but drive time from MWC to Sapulpa is 1 hr & 25 minutes. Downtown OKC to Tulsa is 1 hr 36 driving. Train will be longer and require multiple forms of transport. That said, if they can get direct downtown to downtown OKC/Tulsa then it will really be a good alternative. Then they can do one or two express trains a day and the rest as locals. Then it will be more than a novelty.

I completely agree. The excursion trains were a great success and demonstrate there is a strong interest in passenger rail between OKC and Tulsa. But once the novelty wears off, I'm afraid ridership would seriously decline unless the rail service goes into downtown Tulsa and OKC. With Stillwater Central now owning the line and BNSF still needing to work with them to get their oil cars to Stroud, and in the future directly into Cushing, the opportunity exists for them to work together in order to get passenger trains from Sapulpa into Tulsa Union Station on that portion of the old Frisco line owned by BNSF. Especially given the fact that ODOT has the right under its sales contract to BNSF for that portion of the line to operate up to four passenger trains a day into Tulsa. On the other end, the same should hold true for working out an agreement with BNSF or Union Pacific to get the passenger trains into Santa Fe Station in OKC. Since the last thing we can afford is to have passenger rail service fail due to low ridership, it would be preferable to wait to initiate that service until the necessary agreements have been reached to provide direct service between downtown Tulsa and downtown OKC.

...that is if you own a car and have a drivers license, otherwise the trip is 5 days - give or take 12 hours.

From the article:

Heck, I used to hitchhike from Norman to Tulsa in about 2 hrs. Didn't have to have a car then. :)

Uphill both ways in the snow? :)

No, that was only walking to school....or so it seemed.

Just saw a story via Twitter:

Sen. Inhofe backs Heartland Flyer Extension (http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/sen-inhofe-backs-heartland-flyer-extension.html?channel=41&utm_source=WhatCounts+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RGN+5.28.14&utm_content=Oklahoma+U.S.+Senator+backs+Heartland+ Flyer+extension) (the Kansas option, not the Tulsa option).

It will be a good alternative, but drive time from MWC to Sapulpa is 1 hr & 25 minutes. Downtown OKC to Tulsa is 1 hr 36 driving. Train will be longer and require multiple forms of transport. That said, if they can get direct downtown to downtown OKC/Tulsa then it will really be a good alternative. Then they can do one or two express trains a day and the rest as locals. Then it will be more than a novelty.

Long term they have to work out the track issues to be able to bring the train to a constant speed of 60 mph and eventually 79 mph. Currently the average speed is 45 mph. The Heartland Flyer averages 75 mph in Oklahoma and 59 mph in Texas.

Three things that need to be worked out in the short term:
1. Extend the trains to OKC Santa Fe Depot and Tulsa Union Station
2. Offer Express Service between those two stations 4x a day (morning/evening both eastbound/westbound)
3. Offer Local Service twice a day (eastbound/westbound) serving Midwest City, Stroud, Bristow and Sapulpa

https://www.easternflyer.com/images/route-map-2014_large.jpg

I know this is an old gripe, but here it is anyway. The line from Tulsa to Oklahoma City used to go directly to Union Station. Of couse that's when Union Station had a yard. Better stop now. The bile is churning.

It would be nice to connect OKC with Wichita and Newton. Then I could take the train to Wrigley and watch the Cubs without needing to go via Dallas. Remember the 70s when if you you wanted to fly anywhere you practically had to go through Dallas? Well, that's the train situation for OKC now. Until about 1963, you could take the Frisco from OKC to Tulsa and on to St. Louis. That would connect us to the rest of the world. I know that would take a lot of work. I can only imagine the scenery. Sure, you can drive it in less time but some of us aren't always in a huge hurry. We make an occasional run to San Antonio on the train. Yes, it takes all day but it's nice to arrive relaxed. Well, I've rambled enough. If you've never ridden the train, try it out.

Is that the rail line that crosses the river just south of the Boathouse District? So any train from Tulsa would have to backtrack up to Santa Fe Depot, while Ft-Worth-Kansas trains would run straight through.

It is indeed. From St Louis it would need to back track to get to the Santa Fe station; to get to Union Station, (as in 1950s and 1960s when it went on to Lawton passing about 2-3 miles from the airport) no it would not. Sadly, it will never happen again.

There is another route through the north Bricktown area - the Stillwater Central interchanges with the Union Pacific RR east of Bricktown and there was a connection to the Santa Fe Station years ago. The north leg of the wye track is the trestle that runs behind the Clark Building. Preservation of the southern leg right of way is the reason for opposing the garage proposal by Mr Karchmer. You can see path of this leg between the angled buildings in the upper left of the map. A new trestle will be required of course and I think structured parking in the large lot will be built before this becomes reality. But in the interim, it should be possible to build a temporary station in the north Bricktown area once trackage rights are negotiated with UP from MWC to Bricktown.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/maps/sanborn_1922_bricktownlarge.gif

Trains, buses and automobiles: Passenger rail coming next year - Tulsa World: Homepagelatest (http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/trains-buses-and-automobiles-passenger-rail-coming-next-year/article_08977b77-412e-523d-bcc9-81d2567e5d97.html)

Mobile version.

Trains, buses and automobiles: Passenger rail coming next year - Local - TulsaWorld (http://m.tulsaworld.com/news/local/trains-buses-and-automobiles-passenger-rail-coming-next-year/article_08977b77-412e-523d-bcc9-81d2567e5d97.html?mode=jqm)

The tickets cost far more than a car trip, the train goes only 45 mph so it takes more than twice as long and only goes from Sapulpa to El Reno.

This is designed to fail so the state doesn't have to spend anything on rail service to Tulsa. It's been another bad ODOT joke from the start.

The tickets cost far more than a car trip, the train goes only 45 mph so it takes more than twice as long and only goes from Sapulpa to El Reno.

This is designed to fail so the state doesn't have to spend anything on rail service to Tulsa. It's been another bad ODOT joke from the start.

Have prices been released?

The tickets cost far more than a car trip, the train goes only 45 mph so it takes more than twice as long and only goes from Sapulpa to El Reno.

El Reno?

It would be a lot better if they can eventually get access to OKC Santa Fe and Tulsa Union stations, even with the 45 mph speeds. The next step should be track improvements to have higher speeds and more frequent train service but would a private company make those investments?

Ideally there would be at least 3 trains a day each way between downtown OKC and Tulsa: morning, afternoon and evening. Also the morning and evening trains should be express trains that go direct from OKC to Tulsa and back, while the afternoon train would be local stopping in Midwest City, Stroud, Bristow and Sapulpa.

http://www.easternflyer.com/images/route-map-2014_large.jpg

El Reno?

Sorry, Midwest City. My sister in law works in El Reno and I guess I got confused.

Not sure if it was posted, but there was a building permit for a structure to be built in the location below, for the Midwest City rail station for the OKC-Tulsa train. Technically in OKC city limits.

http://i.gyazo.com/539003acd416668c5880e132ba85a957.png

Not sure if it was posted, but there was a building permit for a structure to be built in the location below, for the Midwest City rail station for the OKC-Tulsa train. Technically in OKC city limits.

http://i.gyazo.com/539003acd416668c5880e132ba85a957.png

I thought the City agreed to lease land at NE 4th & Sooner...?

1601 N Sooner Road

Accela Citizen Access (http://www.okc.gov/Access/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Permits&TabName=Permits&capID1=14BRE&capID2=00000&capID3=12621&agencyCode=OKC&IsToShowInspection=)

$130,000 doesn't seem like a lot.

The permit is for a parking lot and a trailer.

Perhaps it is temporary, until a final structure can be designed and built. But the application is titled eastern flyer train station.

Ah, I see. I skimmed over it. Maybe I should starting reading things more thoroughly.

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Oklahoma City Seeks Eastern Flyer Meeting with Iowa Pacific Holdings

Passenger Rail Oklahoma (http://www.PassengerRailOK.org)
(405) 204-5801

November 18, 2014

During today’s Oklahoma City City council meeting, Ward 4 City Councilman Pete White indicated a desire to discuss the Eastern Flyer passenger train with future operator Iowa Pacific Holdings. Train and shuttle operation is slated to begin early next year. His desire was echoed by Vice Mayor/Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer and Ward 7 Councilman John A Pettis Jr.

Referring to the preliminary design, Mayor Mick Cornett stated, “[I]t didn’t quite get to downtown Oklahoma City and it didn’t quite get to downtown Tulsa, so we have some work to do. If there is a way we can work with the railroad and figure out how to get closer into the Santa Fe Hub, I think it will really improve the experience.”

City Manager Jim Couch agreed to set up a meeting at the request of Councilwoman Salyer. City Manager Couch said, “We’re happy to do that, we talked about that last week, and we will be doing that.”

As designed, Eastern Flyer trains will only operate between Sapulpa and a depot at NE 10th and Sooner Road. Trains will also stop in Bristow, Stroud, and Chandler. Luxury shuttle buses will complete the final miles into downtown Oklahoma City on the west end, and operate between Sapulpa and downtown Tulsa on the east end. Additional shuttles routes are planned as far as the University of Oklahoma in Norman and Bartlesville.

Councilman White made general reference to existing rail corridors, “[T]here are solutions on this end that could bring the train on in to at least Bricktown. [W]e ought to be thinking about that and working on it.” Councilman White continued, “I would like to encourage the company that is bringing it in… The cars have been delivered. They are pretty attractive... I just think it is something we need to keep on the front burner to try to make it work. It is going to be an interesting operation.”

The for-profit, daily, multi-frequency Iowa Pacific trains will be hosted by the Stillwater Central Railroad. The rail line was sold by the State of Oklahoma in May, with property transferred in early August. The railroad was originally operated by the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. The last daily passenger train on the route was the St. Louis-Tulsa-Oklahoma City “Oklahoman.” It made its last run on May 14, 1967.

Reference:

Video of Oklahoma City Council Meeting November 18, 2014 URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tsHWTN6ER4&list=UUu7sVASWMRZ6V6F7EebBlbA

Playlist: Fast Forward...
25:11 Councilman Pete White
34.59 Councilwoman Meg Salyer

Eastern Flyer Coach Cars Being Delivered to Oklahoma City

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Passenger Rail Oklahoma
!!! Breaking News !!!
December 4, 2014

Tulsa City Council Discusses Eastern Flyer Access to Downtown

Rick Westcott, Chairman of the Tulsa Rail Advisory Committee (TRAC) and Tulsa City Councilor Jeannie Cue continue their marvelous work. The effort this time is for Oklahoma's newest passenger train, the Eastern Flyer, to reach downtown sometime following its introduction early next year. As reported by KTUL TV 8 in Tulsa, discussions are underway in order to determine how to make this happen.

Downtown Train Stop Discussions

It's been a long while since the rumble of a train full of people headed to T-town. "The last passenger service through Tulsa was in about 1967," said Rick Westcott, who served on the city of Tulsa's Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. But in a just a few months, it'll be back, sort of, as twice a day service between Midwest City and Sapulpa kicks off in the spring. And to make it convenient to get to Sapulpa...

Read more of the story here: Downtown Train Stop Discussions - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports (http://www.ktul.com/story/27542493/downtown-train-stop-discussions)

And more related news here: Advocates Seek Downtown Station For OKC, Tulsa Passenger Rail - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | (http://www.newson6.com/story/27553621/advocates-seek-downtown-station-for-okc-tulsa-passenger-rail)

TRAC is a Tulsa City Council subcommittee established to provide valuable information to the legislatively directed Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force in 2012. TRAC continued following the sunset date for the task force. The result of TRAC's efforts will be the long awaited commuter rail and shuttle service between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. There is a remote chance Tulsa Union Depot could be used as a stop.

Evan Stair of Passenger Rail Oklahoma added, "It would be wonderful to use Union Depot, but the logistics are difficult. Major modifications would be required to the depot as the overhead concourse was removed sometime following the last time Union Depot served passenger trains. The best place for a waiting room would be the first story as the existing waiting room is used by the Jazz Museum and it is located on the second floor. Still, we believe that the financially beleaguered Jazz Museum would benefit though. However, some negotiations even then would be needed to work out logistics to satisfy all parties. Building a new multimodal station would likely be a better solution."

Tulsa Union Station

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OKC City Council Discussion

Tulsa's discussion follows on the heels of a City of Oklahoma City Council discussion last month. A similar effort is ongoing in the capital city to reach at least Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. Last month, Mayor Mick Cornett, Councilman Pete White, Councilwoman Meg Salyer, and Councilman John A. Pettis Jr. discussed the importance of getting the Eastern Flyer closer to the Santa Fe Multimodal Hub. A meeting with Iowa Pacific Holdings, the future operator of the Eastern Flyer, was proposed. City Manager Jim Couch agreed to set up such a meeting at the request of the City Council.

Bristow's Polar Express Creates a Destination

We had a chance to experience the Polar Express out of Bristow before Thanksgiving. We were amazed at how this community has embraced the service. "The experience is like stepping into a Hallmark holiday card said one participant." It would be fascinating to determine the positive economic impact the trains have already brought to this community.

The marvelous efforts of Kala Varner of Premier Rails have spread like wildfire across the city. The downtown is alive and ripe with smiles and even some literal tears of joy. One can only imagine that downtown looks like in the days before the Turner Turnpike was completed in 1953 and Route 66 was the lifeblood of town. It really has to be seen to be believed.

After a Full Days activities, the Polar Express rests between runs. (Photo Evan Stair)

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The masses are waiting to board the Polar Express at Bristow's old Frisco Depot (Evan Stair Photo)

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Evan Stair
President
Passenger Rail Oklahoma (http://www.PassengerRailOK.org)

I don't mean to sound snarky, but isn't this exactly what we've been told people have been discussing with the regional transit group? When we talked about the building going in on main street in Bricktown, the major push back was that that corridor was needed for passenger rail line that would go to Tulsa, right? it just sounds like these councilman are talking about it for the first time. I would have rather seen an article where the council stated that "we've been looking at the option of bringing passenger rail into Bricktown, and think it is a good time to move more earnestly now that the bulk of the service is in place".
Who is facilitating these discussions I keep hearing about and is any councilor participating?

That's not correct according to this, Sid.

Plans for Bricktown garage clash with planning for rail transit | News OK (http://newsok.com/plans-for-bricktown-garage-clash-with-planning-for-rail-transit/article/3811926)


Marion Hutchison, chairman of the nonprofit rail advocacy group OnTrac and a member of the Regional Transit Dialogue Steering Committee, said the garage could impede rail expansion efforts. The garage project, as proposed, would hamper efforts to use the Santa Fe train depot as a hub for any future commuter rail to Midwest City and Tinker Air Force Base, a line to the Adventure District in northeast Oklahoma City, and any potential high speed transit that might be attempted in the region, Hutchison said

I have no doubt that Marion and others know about the need for the corridor. I'm just curious about the council. I assumed that the council was more aware.

I was referring mostly to your statement about needing the corridor for the link for the train to Tulsa.

1601 N Sooner Road

Accela Citizen Access (http://www.okc.gov/Access/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Permits&TabName=Permits&capID1=14BRE&capID2=00000&capID3=12621&agencyCode=OKC&IsToShowInspection=)

This is kind of over in no man's land. Seems like they could have come up with a better location than that.

I don't mean to sound snarky, but isn't this exactly what we've been told people have been discussing with the regional transit group? When we talked about the building going in on main street in Bricktown, the major push back was that that corridor was needed for passenger rail line that would go to Tulsa, right? it just sounds like these councilman are talking about it for the first time. I would have rather seen an article where the council stated that "we've been looking at the option of bringing passenger rail into Bricktown, and think it is a good time to move more earnestly now that the bulk of the service is in place".

Who is facilitating these discussions I keep hearing about and is any councilor participating?

Here's the deal. These are related but separate issues. Yes, transit supporters and city officials are aware of the importance of the Union Pacific rail corridor north of Bricktown and are committed to protecting that right-of-way for future access to Santa Fe Station, as provided for in the intermodal hub master plan. And yes, city officials are involved in planning discussions at ACOG for the development of a regional transit system for the OKC metro area. But those discussions and that future system do not involve intercity passenger rail between OKC and Tulsa. That's something that everyone has always assumed would only happen if the state and federal government decided to fund an extension of the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service. That said, everyone is aware that if that were to happen, the best route for bringing an intercity train into Santa Fe would be by way of the Union Pacific corridor.

What this issue is about is the fact that Iowa Pacific, a private, out-of-state company, has unexpectedly announced that it plans to begin intercity passenger rail service between Sapulpa and Midwest City early in 2015. And that company has decided to initiate the service using connecting charter bus service into OKC and Tulsa instead of direct rail service into the downtown areas of both cities. That is a decision that was made internally and without consultation with city officials in OKC or Tulsa. In fact, OKC and Tulsa city officials were not even aware that the service was about to be initiated.

So, the recent actions by OKC and Tulsa officials are the result of them being informed about the upcoming service and their desire to try to find a way to help the company develop direct rail service into both downtowns. I, for one, give much credit to the mayor and council for immediately recognizing the importance of this opportunity for OKC and instructing the city manager to try to make it happen.

When ODOT sold the Sooner Subdivision rail line between Sapulpa and Midwest City to WATCO instead of BNSF earlier this year, it opened the door for Iowa Pacific to at some point in the future initiate trial daily intercity passenger rail service along the line. You will remember that in February of this year, Iowa Pacific partnered with WATCO (who was leasing the line from ODOT at the time) and offered 3 excursion trains along the line, which were highly successful. Those excursions also used charter buses to take passengers from the end of the line in Midwest City to various destinations in OKC.

The Sooner Subdivision is a part of what was originally the Frisco rail line that ran all the way from Tulsa to OKC to Lawton. In 1998, ODOT bought the portion of the line from Sapulpa to Midwest City from BNSF because they no longer needed it for their freight operations. Unfortunately, BNSF retained the section of the line from Sapulpa to downtown Tulsa and from Midwest City to downtown OKC. In addition, the rail corridor north of Bricktown that runs east and intersects the Sooner Subdivision and BNSF lines was sold by ODOT last year to Union Pacific.

So, the big obstacle for Iowa Pacific as it regards the Eastern Flyer service is that Union Pacific and BNSF own the sections of line leading from Sapulpa and Midwest City into downtown OKC and Tulsa. And negotiating operating rights for passenger rail with the major Class I railroads is a much more difficult proposition for a small private rail company than it is for Amtrak and the federal government. That's where the City of OKC and Tulsa, as well as ODOT, come in to play. Those cities and the State have ongoing relations and involvement with both Union Pacific and BNSF on numerous projects and are in a more favorable position to try to negotiate a solution to the problem. Even then, there's no guaranteed outcome.

As predicted - once rail starts getting built every town, community, and neighborhood is going to be begging for service because no one wants to be left off the transportation network of the future. In short order even Heritage Hills will be making an effort to secure their place on the streetcar network. Of course, if Norman and Bartlesville get service how long until Stillwater and Lawton want service? On a related note - did anyone catch 60 Minutes two weeks ago about the state of America's transportation infrastructure?

It won't take long until we have this:
https://sites.google.com/site/okcrail/

As predicted - once rail starts getting built every town, community, and neighborhood is going to be begging for service because no one wants to be left off the transportation network of the future. In short order even Heritage Hills will be making an effort to secure their place on the streetcar network. Of course, if Norman and Bartlesville get service how long until Stillwater and Lawton want service? On a related note - did anyone catch 60 Minutes two weeks ago about the state of America's transportation infrastructure?

It won't take long until we have this:
https://sites.google.com/site/okcrail/

In order to succeed in developing future rail transportation systems, whether it's the streetcar, local commuter rail, light rail or intercity passenger rail, the public must be convinced that it is effective and worth the investment. Until now, the only rail service we've had in five decades by which to develop public support and measure public opinion is Amtrak's Heartland Flyer. Unfortunately, Amtrak's operations are a mixed bag.

What we really need to kick-start our future is a new service that generates public excitement, economic impact and is viewed as successful from a ridership perspective. We thought the MAPS 3 Modern Streetcar would be the that first generator. But it won't likely be in operation until 2018. In the mean time, the Eastern Flyer appears out of nowhere and is now set to begin operations in early 2015. So it's imperative that we do all that we can to ensure the success of that service. And that means getting the trains directly into both downtown OKC and Tulsa. Because at this point in history, we can't afford to have it fail and become the "proof" that rail transit just won't work in Oklahoma.

You can help by contacting your City Council representative and letting them know you support the Eastern Flyer and by encouraging them to work with those involved to get the trains directly into downtown OKC.

Because at this point in history, we can't afford to have it fail and become the "proof" that rail transit just won't work in Oklahoma.


100% agree which is why we dodged a huge bullet when the original MAP rail project was scrapped. On the other hand, government funds all kinds of things regardless of public desire or effectiveness. Ultimately though walkability and mass transit will win-out because the alternatives simply aren't affordable or sustainable.

OKGazette: The Eastern Flyer rail line to finally connect OKC, Tulsa (http://okgazette.com/2014/12/10/metro-briefs-the-eastern-flyer-rail-line-to-finally-connect-okc-tulsa/)

I understand that the rail drops people off at 10th and Sapulpa Road in Midwest City. However, where does the rail drop people off in Sapulpa?

It may start in March.

Passenger train service may be rolling out of Tulsa by March, officials say - Tulsa World: Homepage3 (http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepage3/passenger-train-service-may-be-rolling-out-of-tulsa-by/article_43b67378-03d9-50ac-bce0-997ba3892142.html)



The train is scheduled to leave the station in March.

Representatives of the company bringing passenger trains to connect Tulsa and Oklahoma City told city councilors Thursday that they are hoping to be ready in March.

Iowa Pacific Holdings is planning a trial run for at least six months, with basic tickets starting at about $20, the company’s officials said.

Abbey said the six-month trial run would determine whether the company invests more into the service, including costs to deliver passengers from downtown to downtown on the train.

My wife and I live in Norman and we sometimes visit friends or family in Tulsa on the weekends. We're thinking this might be a less stressful way to go than driving ourselves. My wife is also not in good health enough to drive that far, so this could give her the opportunity to visit more often than I'm able to go. We'll be customers, at least once.

Lots of obstacles with the mentality here:

Work begins on California bullet train. Lucky us. | News OK (http://newsok.com/work-begins-on-california-bullet-train.-lucky-us./article/5383256)

Lots of obstacles with the mentality here:

Work begins on California bullet train. Lucky us. | News OK (http://newsok.com/work-begins-on-california-bullet-train.-lucky-us./article/5383256)

Yep. So frustrating.

This thread has repeatedly reminded me of a video I saw a few years ago of rail action around the downtown OKC area in the late 60's, so I finally went back and found it. Lots of good shots of the Texas Chief, later known as the Lone Star, that we used to ride up to Chicago a couple times a year.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNyh5u9gCi8

I used to ride that to OKC from Wichita to visit family when I was a kid in the seventies. Even then it felt like a different time.

Interesting shot of an under-construction Liberty (now Chase/Cotter) Tower at 5:15.

Interesting shot of an under-construction Liberty (now Chase/Cotter) Tower at 5:15.

I noticed that southbound train at the 4:45 mark because I saw the Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) monolithic beast in the background.

This was all shot at various points between NE 36h and SE 23rd streets. There's a quick glimps of the old TG&Y warehouse at the very begining.

I rode Toronto's Go Rail last night into downtown for the Raptors game and man does that get me excited for commuter rail in OKC. I just wish it wasn't going to take 10-15 years to be a reality.

What this issue is about is the fact that Iowa Pacific, a private, out-of-state company, has unexpectedly announced that it plans to begin intercity passenger rail service between Sapulpa and Midwest City early in 2015. And that company has decided to initiate the service using connecting charter bus service into OKC and Tulsa instead of direct rail service into the downtown areas of both cities. That is a decision that was made internally and without consultation with city officials in OKC or Tulsa. In fact, OKC and Tulsa city officials were not even aware that the service was about to be initiated.

When ODOT sold the Sooner Subdivision rail line between Sapulpa and Midwest City to WATCO instead of BNSF earlier this year, it opened the door for Iowa Pacific to at some point in the future initiate trial daily intercity passenger rail service along the line. You will remember that in February of this year, Iowa Pacific partnered with WATCO (who was leasing the line from ODOT at the time) and offered 3 excursion trains along the line, which were highly successful. Those excursions also used charter buses to take passengers from the end of the line in Midwest City to various destinations in OKC..

Hutch is more or less on the money on this, except for one thing: ODOT, at the very least, knew full well this was coming. When ODOT sold the Sooner Sub to WATCO's Stillwater Central RR, part of the Final Sale Agreement was that by 2019, WATCO would provide, or arrange for, a pilot program of regular passenger service between at least Del City and Sapulpa. This pilot program must offer at least two trains per day, 7 days a week, for a period of at least 6 months. If (and only if) this pilot program proves profitable, by 2024, WATCO must then initiate or arrange for continuous daily passenger service. WATCO is on the hook for $2.8 Million, payable to ODOT's Rail Programs Division, if the pilot program does not conform to the specifications above; if the pilot program is successful but WATCO does not implement passenger service before their deadline, then the rights to operate passenger trains over this line revert back to ODOT.

In addition, WATCO is required to upgrade the line to at least Federal Railroad Administration Class 3 standards - which allows 60mph max speeds for passenger trains - by 2021, or else ownership of the entire line reverts back to ODOT. As a result, this line will certainly get improved... WATCO doesn't really have an option here!

The full final sale agreement can be viewed here: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/SoonerSub/16-FINAL%20Sale%20Agreement%20%282014%29.pdf. It's full of legalese, but for train nuts like myself, it's got some interesting reading.

Hutch is more or less on the money on this, except for one thing: ODOT, at the very least, knew full well this was coming. When ODOT sold the Sooner Sub to WATCO's Stillwater Central RR, part of the Final Sale Agreement was that by 2019, WATCO would provide, or arrange for, a pilot program of regular passenger service between at least Del City and Sapulpa. This pilot program must offer at least two trains per day, 7 days a week, for a period of at least 6 months. If (and only if) this pilot program proves profitable, by 2024, WATCO must then initiate or arrange for continuous daily passenger service. WATCO is on the hook for $2.8 Million, payable to ODOT's Rail Programs Division, if the pilot program does not conform to the specifications above; if the pilot program is successful but WATCO does not implement passenger service before their deadline, then the rights to operate passenger trains over this line revert back to ODOT.

In addition, WATCO is required to upgrade the line to at least Federal Railroad Administration Class 3 standards - which allows 60mph max speeds for passenger trains - by 2021, or else ownership of the entire line reverts back to ODOT. As a result, this line will certainly get improved... WATCO doesn't really have an option here!

The full final sale agreement can be viewed here: http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/SoonerSub/16-FINAL%20Sale%20Agreement%20%282014%29.pdf. It's full of legalese, but for train nuts like myself, it's got some interesting reading.

Welcome to the forum baralheia. I appreciate your input. Please forgive my tin-foil hat (it's on, as I write this), but why did ODOT do this? Are they hoping Iowa Pacific / WATCO would fail? and then they (ODOT) would get a better rail with upgrades? Are they hoping it will succeed? and then appease Oklahomans who want more rail with this crumb? My starting position is that ODOT doesn't give a rat's patootie about (passenger) rail. What's your opinion?
Hutch? any other input/opinion?

Welcome to the forum baralheia. I appreciate your input. Please forgive my tin-foil hat (it's on, as I write this), but why did ODOT do this? Are they hoping Iowa Pacific / WATCO would fail? and then they (ODOT) would get a better rail with upgrades? Are they hoping it will succeed? and then appease Oklahomans who want more rail with this crumb? My starting position is that ODOT doesn't give a rat's patootie about (passenger) rail. What's your opinion?
Hutch? any other input/opinion?

Thanks for the welcome! I can only hazard a guess, but I think it's not necessarily that ODOT wants nothing to do with rail; I think they're okay with supporting private rail investment, but they just don't want to be in the business of actually owning the rails, leasing the lines out, etc. I do know that through the Rail Programs Division, ODOT has spent a bunch of money on improvement projects for public safety, as well as state contributions for TIGER grants. They spend a ton on AMTRAK's Heartland Flyer service each year too. Since the Iowa Pacific operation is entirely private investment that requires no government subsidy, it costs ODOT practically nothing to let them have a go at operating passenger service - and they know the public wants it. It's a win-win for ODOT, really.

It looks like the start of regular passenger service has been pushed back to May (at the earliest), according to this article in the Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/sapulpa/passenger-rail-service-between-tulsa-and-okc-pushed-back-to/article_ccb3439e-f2bf-5930-9537-c9ca23aee3b5.html):

Matt Abbey, Eastern Flyer project manager, said the leadership of Watco Cos., which owns the track, and Iowa Pacific Holdings, which is providing the passenger rail service, recently decided to move back their opening.

“We made the decision as a group,” Abbey said. “We wanted a more thoughtfully developed service.”

In January, officials said they hoped to open the service in March. Abbey now says they are shooting for May or “early summer.”
I just hope that it doesn't get delayed forever... We need this train to get rolling sooner, rather than later.

On the Midwest City passenger depot, I drove by the proposed location about a week ago, and noticed that no work at all had been done yet. It looks like the building permit is still in review; probably being held up while the city works on rezoning that plot of land from R-1 to SPUD-806 to allow for this use. Interesting that the rezoning application specifies that a permanent structure to be constructed within 2 years or the rezoned area will revert back to R-1.

Looking at the proposed site plan attached to the SPUD application, it's going to be super simple: 400' concrete platform next to the tracks (possibly covered), concrete sidewalk connecting platform to a 99-space gravel parking lot, a 12' x 44' temporary (Shipping container/Mobile Mini-type) depot building, and porta-potties. Nothing spectacular to begin with - but if service is established into downtown, to Santa Fe Station or nearby, this could be made into a permanent stop. There are a decent number of spots, but not enough to serve as a park-n-ride type facility (not that I expected that from a temporary building, but still) - so other interconnecting transportation options will be needed for users who will be riding the train.

10601

I for the life of me do NOT like that money is being spent on a subpar rail line. I mean the state needs to go big and do HSR or AT LEAST light-rail that can average 100MPH to Tulsa. I am not excited about this at all and can't believe money is being wasted on this.

We spend 850 billion a year on war and give millions and millions on tax breaks. There is a way to fund light-rail between Tulsa and OKC without a substantial increase in taxes; though instead of connecting to Tulsa, a city that isn't that important or has much going on, I'd rather connect to Dallas, a city that is actually worth visiting and could significantly benefit us by being connected to.

PluPan, remember that - despite being nudged into action by ODOT - all of the money spent on this project is private investment. If Iowa Pacific thinks they can make money providing daily passenger service to Tulsa, while accepting NO government subsidies, then I am absolutely all for it. This establishes demand and shows that the service is viable so that when that day comes, voters and legislators are more willing to say yes to a HSR corridor. This is a win-win for everyone: Get service initiated and get the ball rolling, at no expense to taxpayers, while drumming up demand and support for rail-based transportation options including HSR.

Also keep in mind that establishing this link allows Tulsans to come right into the CBD/Bricktown area (admittedly, the last leg is via bus for the time being), and ultimately they can connect with the Heartland Flyer to get to Dallas. If the Eastern Flyer is as successful as is hoped, then schedules could be coordinated for a full TUL-OKC-FTW rail trip not too far off in the future.

It may not be "HSR RIGHT NOW" but it is a necessary step, in my view, to get to the transportation options we want.

Good point, I didn't realize this was completely private.

surely hope this is a success and they do extend into Downtown OKC (and it surely will be a huge success if/when it does). Hope they plan to have several departures throughout the day between the cities - this will really connect the state's two biggest cities and might even allow for some sort of commute and Amtrak option (which maybe Iowa Pacific could also run). ....

Hopefully they can make the MWC location permanent as well for those going to E OK county area as it's nice to have more than one stop in the OKC area so downtown isn't totally congested (well, I like the congested Downtown but I'm only trying to think of those going to MWC/Tinker/E OK county as a convenience since the train goes that way).

The current plan is for the Eastern Flyer to have something like 3 or 4 round trips a day, if I remember correctly. There's only one trainset that will shuttle back and forth between OKC and Tulsa, though, so using the train for commuting might be limited depending on which direction you're going.

I too hope the MWC station becomes permanent, for convenience's sake.

Anyone have any new info on this? They keep throwing out vague target opening dates, then delaying them, and their FB page is a constant feed of saying "we don't know anything yet". Definitely makes it seem like the whole thing might not actually happen to the casual observer. I hope they can get it open within the next couple of months or I may lose all hope.