Streetcar Maintenance Facility

[baralheia]

Never noticed or thought about it before, but it seems like it wouldn't take that much toss over some rail connecting to that freight line for airport service connecting directly to the intermodal hub. I mean, I know there would still be tons to do at the other end, but originally I was thinking it would take something heavier and dedicated on the freight line to make airport transit happen, but maybe not? I'm speaking out of a great deal of ignorance and apologies in advance for that.

Streetcars and light rail vehicles can't run in revenue service on freight rail tracks because the vehicles are designed and built to different strength specs; the Federal Railroad Administration strictly prohibits it because of this. The airport would be better served by commuter (heavy) rail, either originating from Union Station (where a new platform would need to be built) or from Santa Fe Station (lots of construction would be needed to make that happen).

[Mott]

Streetcars and light rail vehicles can't run in revenue service on freight rail tracks because the vehicles are designed and built to different strength specs; the Federal Railroad Administration strictly prohibits it because of this. The airport would be better served by commuter (heavy) rail, either originating from Union Station (where a new platform would need to be built) or from Santa Fe Station (lots of construction would be needed to make that happen).

That is correct. You can't run to the airport fron Union Station as the old Frisco was cut for the new crosstown. You could easily do it from the Santa Fe station, as the old packing town line west to the old connection with the Frisco was completely rebuilt with power switches from BNSF mainline to go west. Something like what was done in Denton to connect with DART 20 miles south, using self-powered equipment from Austria, sharing a freight right way.

[baralheia]

That is correct. You can't run to the airport fron Union Station as the old Frisco was cut for the new crosstown. You could easily do it from the Santa Fe station, as the old packing town line west to the old connection with the Frisco was completely rebuilt with power switches from BNSF mainline to go west. Something like what was done in Denton to connect with DART 20 miles south, using self-powered equipment from Austria, sharing a freight right way.

Derp, I got my wires crossed. Yes, for airport service you're absolutely right - commuter rail service from Santa Fe Station would be the only real option, splitting off to head west over the Packingtown Lead. Service would work similar to Chicago's Metra, Denton County's A-Train, or New Mexico's Rail Runner - the existing freight rail would be shared with passenger operations. I'd imagine that service to the airport would most likely also use whatever equipment the upcoming RTA decides to use for the eventual Edmond-OKC-Norman commuter service (assuming the RTA is able to pass a funding vote to begin operations, natch).

[shawnw]

At one point there was talk about "heavy" or maybe it was "hybrid" streetcar that would ride freight lines to Tinker. It was this kind of vehicle that I was think about, especially if we were going to go to Tinker with one.

[baralheia]

At one point there was talk about "heavy" or maybe it was "hybrid" streetcar that would ride freight lines to Tinker. It was this kind of vehicle that I was think about, especially if we were going to go to Tinker with one.

So, sort of. The route you're thinking of is currently planned to be part of the RTA when it starts operations. It'll be a streetcar line that goes from Santa Fe Station to Tinker, by way of Reno out to Sooner, and then along the former freight rail corridor that cuts through the middle of Midwest City. I say former because the rail is actually broken just east of Vickie Dr; freight trains haven't been able to get onto that line for about a decade now so the corridor would actually be converted for the exclusive use of the streetcar.

[shawnw]

thank you for the clarification