What I have ridden over the years...

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Matt over at the Track Twenty-Nine blog showed a listing of the rail systems he has ridden over the years in his posting

Making a List, Checking it Twice

and I thought it would be interesting to see how many I have ridden in comparison. While I have not traveled on as many systems as he has, I know have a challenge to try to ride more of the systems around the country.

First I will do something different from Matt and show the Amtrak trains I have ridden over the years:

Coast Starlight: Both directions twice plus multiple times on the California Section
San Joaquin's: Multiple times except Sacramento-Stockten which I have done only once in one direction
San Diegans (now Surfliners): Multiple Times
Southwest Chief: Los Angeles to Flagstaff Round Trip
San Francisco Zephyr: One way from Denver to Sacramento
California Zephyr: One Roundtrip from Salt Lake City to Denver and one way trips from Denver to Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City to Reno
Desert Wind: Two one way trips from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and multiple trips on the segment from Los Angeles to San Bernardino.
Pioneer: One way trip from Salt Lake City to Portland
Empire Builder: Two one way trips from Portland to Spokane and both directions for Seattle to Spokane
Cascades: Multiple Trips
Sunset Limited: One way trip from Alhambra to Phoenix
Spirit of California: Several Times

As you can see all of my train riding has been on the west coast but I hope to be taking more trips in the future. I have not counted the several special trains I have been on over the years.

Now on to transit systems:

Heavy Rail:

1. San Francisco Bay Area - BART (multiple times over the years)
2. Washington DC - Metro(1980)
   
3. New York- Subway (1980)
4. Los Angeles - Metro Rail (several times)
   
5. Miami - MetroRail (2007)
   
6. Atlanta - Marta (not ridden yet)
   
7. Boston - "T" (not ridden yet)
8. Chicago - "L" (not ridden yet)
   
9. Baltimore - Metro Subway (not ridden yet)
   
10. Philadelphia - SEPTA (not ridden yet)
    
11. Philadelphia - PATCO (not ridden yet)
    
12. New York/New Jersey - PATH (not ridden yet)
    

Light Rail Lines

1. San Francisco - Muni (multiple times)
   
2. San Diego - Trolley (multiple times)
   
3. Portland - MAX (multiple times)
4. Los Angeles - Metro (multiple times)
   
5. Sacramento - Light Rail (1999)
6. Salt Lake City - TRAX (multiple times)
7. Denver - The Ride (2006)
8. Seattle - Central Line (October 2010)
   
9. Pittsburgh - "T" (not ridden yet)
   
10. Boston- "T" (not ridden yet)
11. Dallas - DART (not ridden yet)
    
12. Baltimore - Light Rail (not ridden yet)
    
13. Philadelphia - Light Rail (not ridden yet)
    
14. Camden - River Line (not ridden yet)
    
15. Newark - NJ Transit (not ridden yet)
    
16. San Jose - VTA (not ridden yet)
    
17. Minneapolis - Light Rail (not ridden yet)
    
18. Charlotte - Lynx (not ridden yet-did not exist when I lived in Charlotte)
    
19. Jersey City - Hudson/Bergen Line (not ridden yet)
    
20. Oceanside - Sprinter (not ridden yet)
    
21. Buffalo - Metrorail (not ridden yet)
    
22. Cleveland - Light Rail (not ridden yet)
    
23. Houston - MetroRail (not ridden yet)
    
24. Phoenix - Valley Metro (not ridden yet)
    
25. St. Louis - Metrolink (not ridden yet)
    
26. Norfolk - Tide (opening 2011)

Commuter Rail:

1. San Francisco - Caltrain (multiple times)
   
2. Los Angeles - Metrolink (multiple times)
   
3. Miami - Tri-Rail (2007)
   
4. Salt Lake City - Front Runner (multiple times)
   
5. Portland - WES (2010)
6. Washington DC - MARC (not ridden yet)
   
7. Dallas - Trinity Railway Express (not ridden yet)
   
8. Chicago - Metra (not ridden yet)
   
9. Philadelphia - SEPTA (not ridden yet)
   
10. Washington DC - VRE (not ridden yet)
    
11. New Jersey - New Jersey Transit (not ridden yet)
    
12. San Jose - ACE (not ridden yet)
    
13. Nashville - Music City Star (not ridden yet)
    
14. New York - Metro North (not ridden yet)
    
15. New York - Long Island Railroad (not ridden yet)
    
16. New Haven - Shore Line East (not ridden yet)
    
17. Boston - MBTA (not ridden yet)
    
18. San Diego - Coaster (not ridden yet)
    
19. Seattle - Sounder (not ridden yet-although have traveled both routes on Amtrak)
    
20. Chicago - South Shore (not ridden yet)
    
21. Austin - Capital Metro (not ridden yet)
    
22. Minneapolis - North Star (not ridden yet)
    
23. Albuquerque - Railrunner (not ridden yet)
    
24. Dallas - A Train (opening 2011)

AGT/Miscellaneous

1. Seattle - Seattle Monorail (1999)
   
2. Las Vegas - Monorail (2005)
   
3. Miami - Metromover (2007)
   
4. New York - JFK Airtrain (not ridden yet)
   
5. Morgantown - WVU PRT (not ridden yet)
   
6. Detroit - People mover (not ridden yet)
   
7. Las Colinas (Dallas) - PRT (not ridden yet)
   
8. Jacksonville - Skyway (not ridden yet)
9. Newark - Airtrain (not ridden yet)

Streetcars:

Streetcars are noted as being a heritage line, modern streetcar or original streetcar line. I have ridden all the modern lines that are currently open but have not ridden none of the heritage or original lines.

1. San Francisco - Cable Cars (multiple times)
   
2. Portland - Portland Streetcar (multiple times)
   
3. Tacoma - Link (2004)
4. Seattle - Seattle Streetcar (October 2010)
   
5. Dallas - McKinney Ave Trolley heritage line (not yet ridden)
   
6. San Francisco - F Line (not yet ridden formal F-line but have ridden most of the route)
   
7. Charlotte - Charlotte Trolley heritage line (not yet ridden)
   
8. Kenosha - Kenosha Streetcar heritage line (not yet ridden)
   
9. Little Rock - River Rail Streetcar heritage line (not yet ridden)
   
10. Memphis - MATA Trolley heritage line (not yet ridden)
    
11. New Orleans - original streetcars (not yet ridden)
    
12. Philadelphia - Girard Line original (not yet ridden)
    
13. Savannah - River Street Streetcar original (not yet ridden)
    
14. Tampa - TECO heritage line (not yet ridden)
    

Here is also a listing of the transit bus companies I have ridden over the years:

1. Los Angeles - RTD/Metro
   
2. San Francisco - San Francisco Muni
3. Spokane - Spokane Transit Authority
   
4. Salt Lake City - Utah Transit Authority
5. Seattle - King County Metro and Sound Transit
6. Portland - Tri-Met
   

As you can see I still have a long way to go to ride transit just around the United States much less around the rest of the world.

It's Been Five Years!!!

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It is hard to believe, but it was five years ago today that I started Transit In Utah.

We have seen some good times in the last five years with the opening of Front Runner, the first of what we hope will be transit oriented development, plus the ground breaking and construction of several new light rail lines.

On the other hand we have seen the problems caused by the many problems with the economy (which we don't seem to learn our lessons from), the subsequent cutting of services due to the downturn in revenues and distractions of organizations such as the bus riders unions that have been popping up despite the damage done by the most famous of bru's in Los Angeles.

Of course our local bus riders union seemed to put on a few dog and pony show's courtesy of the anti-hunger organization but otherwise has been a non-factor.

When I first started this blog I had no idea where I was going to go with it and to some extent I still have no idea where it might evolve. I have toyed with the idea of changing the name and focusing more on general issues instead of being Utah based. This may still come to pass as my work and life may take me to other pastures in the future.

However, I also believe there is so much to learn from what other systems are doing and is being proposed so I am probably going to start talking about some of the issues, problems and successes of other systems. This will especially be true of areas that I am very familiar with such as Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, and Charlotte.

In the last five years I have had the pleasure of reading many excellent blogs about transit. Because they are done by people with lives beyond the blog like I do, some of them have faded into the night while others are going strong. I always hate to see when of the writers I like decided to hang up the keyboard because I think we loose something when an excellent writer moves on.

I just to mention a few of the blogs that I regularly read and give them a nod for the work they do. I am not doing them in any particular order, just the way they are bookmarked on my computer which is not exactly alphabetical.

First up is the Cap'n Transit Blog out of the New York metropolitan area. Over the time I have been reading this blog there has been some great postings about coordinating services and other important issues.

Another blog I regularly follow is the Orphan Road blog out of the Puget Sound Region. Another Seattle based blog is the Seattle Transit Blog.

More great information can be had at the Streetsblog network. There is several now but I ones I most often reference is the original in New York, plus the ones in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Out of the Miami area is the Transit Miami blog. Before I traveled down to Railvolution which was a held in Miami a few years ago I was able to catch up on many issues down in that region and check them out.

A great blog that focuses on development and transit issues in the Denver area is the Denver In-Fill Blog.

A couple of blogs I have discovered more recently is Human Transit and Transport Politic.

Finally we have the Transit Sleuth blog. Adron who runs the blog recently moved from Portland to Seattle and is changing over his services which means I have been missing it for the few weeks. He has excellent incites in transit issues from a Libertarian point of view.

Hope you take a look at this excellent blogs.

Well its been five years and I have no idea where this blog will go in the next five years but I am sure it will be a ride :-).

West Valley TRAX Update

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Construction progress continues on the West Valley TRAX Line. To keep business and traffic impacts to a minimum, this five-mile project has been separated into seven construction “reaches,” or segments. The map below shows each construction reach in a different color, starting with Reach 1 in light green on the south end of the project and ending with Reach 7 in dark green on the north end.

A description of what is happening in each area is listed below. If you need further construction information, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.





Reach 1



Reach Description: Reach 1 is the area along Constitution Boulevard (2700 W.) from West Valley City Hall at 3600 S. extending north to 3100 S. This area includes both large and small businesses, as well as many residents. Access to all businesses and residences will be maintained throughout construction.



Current Construction:

· Progress continues on the station platform between West Valley City Hall and the Public Safety Building. Embedded track is scheduled to be installed beginning the first week of July.

· Third party utility work continues along both sides of Constitution Boulevard, and curb and gutter work is taking place in front of Valley Fair Mall.

· Crews continue to do roadwork on Constitution Boulevard between 3100 S. and 3500 S., and have completed the 16” waterline work.



Upcoming Construction:

· Traffic is scheduled to switch to the east side of Constitution Boulevard on July 22nd.

· Crews will begin replacing current fencing along the west side of Constitution Boulevard with temporary fencing on July 22nd. We will meet with each resident bordering the west side of Constitution Boulevard early next week to talk about this process.



Traffic Impacts: Traffic on 2700 W. between 3100 S. and 3500 S. is operational on the west side of the road. There are also lane restrictions south of 3500 S.; however, access is maintained at all times. Please be mindful of construction crews and obey posted speed limits.



Reach 2



Reach Description: Reach 2 is the area along 3100 S. from Constitution Boulevard to Decker Lake Drive. The E Center and a few other businesses are located in this reach, as well as residents on either side of 3100 S. Access will be maintained throughout construction and we will work with the E Center to coordinate our efforts so you can continue to visit the great events they have to offer. When TRAX is completed along 3100 S., it will operate on the south side of the roadway.



Current Construction: Crews continue to build the TRAX bridge approach between Maple Way and I-215. Work also continues on the bridge crossing I-215 south of 3100 S. Utility work also continues at the E Center.



Upcoming Construction:

· Nighttime construction is scheduled to take place on the TRAX bridge over I-215 on the south side of 3100 S. on July 6th. Work will begin at 7 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. Noise impacts are anticipated to be minimal during nighttime work activities. Residents are encouraged to call the 24-hour hotline number at (888) 800-8854 if there are questions or concerns.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are lane restrictions on 3100 S.; however, access is being maintained.



Reach 3



Reach Description: Reach 3 is the area along Decker Lake Drive from 3100 S. to Research Way (2770 S.) and running east to Redwood Road. This area includes many commercial office buildings with thousands of employees who access this area on a daily basis. We will continue working with businesses to ensure access is maintained.



Current Construction: The west side of Decker Lake Drive is open and access is being maintained. Crews have started work on the storm drain on the east side of the road. Preliminary utility work has also begun on Research Way near Redwood Road.



Upcoming Construction: Foundations for the overhead wiring system are scheduled to be installed along Decker Lake Drive in approximately three weeks.



Traffic Impacts: There are lane restrictions on Decker Lake Drive; however, access is being maintained.



Reach 4



Reach Description: Reach 4 runs through the Chesterfield residential area along 2770 S. and proceeds along the Decker Lake Canal and the Crosstowne Trail. We will work with residents to ensure a safe working environment that provides access to their properties.



Current Construction: Significant work has been accomplished in the Chesterfield area. Crews are currently preparing the trackway and have placed ties and rail in various areas throughout the reach. Rail has been installed at the Lester Street crossing between Claybourne Avenue and Southgate Avenue.



Upcoming Construction: Paving is scheduled to take place today on Lester Street and the Crosstowne Trail. The trail will not re-open until construction is complete. We appreciate your patience as we work in this area.



Traffic Impacts:

· The Crosstowne Trail along 2770 S. just east of Redwood Road to the Brighton Canal is currently closed. Once TRAX construction is completed, the trail will open again.





Reach 5



Reach Description: Reach 5 includes construction along 1070 W. in the Chesterfield industrial area. This reach will include one bridge structure over the Jordan River and another over 900 W.



Current Construction: Crews are scheduled to continue installing retaining walls on the east side of 1070 W. until the first week of July. Storm drain work is also scheduled to continue until the first week of July. Work is being completed on the Jordan River TRAX bridge. Access is being maintained and we appreciate the businesses’ patience.



Upcoming Construction: After utility work is complete, crews will begin working on the roadway on the west side of 1070 W. which should last until the end of the summer. Crews will then begin work on the east side of the roadway.



Traffic Impacts: As construction proceeds, there will be lane restrictions, although access will be maintained.





Reach 6



Reach Description: Reach 6 runs through the Union Pacific Railroad’s Roper Yard area. Although there are no businesses and residents, extensive coordination will take place with the Union Pacific Railroad to ensure that freight deliveries and other train travel is maintained. Reach 6 includes plans for an extensive bridging system that will enable TRAX to operate over other train traffic.



Current Construction: Significant progress continues on the TRAX bridge structures over the Roper Yard area near 2200 S. and 600 W. Crews are also excavating the TRAX guideway just south of SR 201 between the Jordan River and 900 W. Construction is also proceeding just east of 900 W. along the south side of SR 201.



Upcoming Construction: Coordination will continue with the Union Pacific Railroad to install utilities and bridge structures.



Traffic Impacts: Not applicable.



Reach 7



Reach Description: Reach 7 is the area where the West Valley Line will connect with the current north/south TRAX Line. Construction will take place along Andy Avenue in South Salt Lake. Crews will closely coordinate activities with businesses to ensure access is maintained.



Current Construction: Storm drain installation along Andy Avenue has been completed. Crews continue roadway construction at Andy Avenue and 400 W. This work is anticipated to be completed on July 18th. We thank businesses for their support during this phase of construction.



Upcoming Construction: Roadway work will continue on Andy Avenue for the next two weeks. Crews will then move to work on the waterway and slope protection under I-215.



Traffic Impacts: Bearcat at Andy Avenue is now permanently closed. Flaggers are on sight to direct traffic and access will be maintained during construction.


Access during Construction

UTA is committed to maintaining 24-hour access to all of the businesses and residences along the construction corridor. We will coordinate with businesses in cases where access may be temporarily limited.



Construction Hours

Construction on the project is permitted to take place between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Additionally, specific activities may require different working hours depending upon the conditions and will be coordinated with city officials.



Construction Tours

If you are interested in learning more about the construction project, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.



For More Information

Timely and helpful information is available to assist business and residential communities as well as commuters and stakeholders.



If you have further questions not answered by this report or any comments regarding the project, please contact our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854 or e-mail tcamp@rideuta.com. You can also visit UTA’s Web site at www.rideuta.com.



Please note that construction information provided is subject to change.

Airport TRAX line construction update

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A description of what is happening in each area is listed below. If you need further construction information, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.



Reach 1



Reach Description: Reach 1 is the area that extends from Terminal One at the Salt Lake City International Airport on the side of the Airport Access Road to the surplus canal bridge just north of the Wingpointe Golf Course.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Summer 2009.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are no traffic impacts.



Reach 2



Reach Description: Reach 2 extends from the surplus canal bridge just north of the Wingpointe Golf Course along Airport Access Road fence line to 2400 West.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Summer 2009.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are no traffic impacts.



Reach 3



Reach Description: Reach 3 extends from 2400 West along North Temple to I-215. This is the reach where TRAX will move from the side of the road to the center of North Temple.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Fall 2009.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are no traffic impacts.



Reach 4



Reach Description: Reach 4 extends from I-215 to just past Redwood Road on North Temple. TRAX will be center running and will include a station located at approximately 1950 West. Access to the many businesses and governmental organizations will be maintained.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: On Sunday, June 28th, crews will be working in the Redwood Road and North Temple intersection between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Two left turn movements will be restricted and the following detours will be in place during this time.




Beginning July 6th nighttime construction will again take place at the Redwood Road and North Temple intersection. During daytime hours all traffic movements will be maintained. However, from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. each night the same two left hand turn movements listed above will be restricted and motorists will be required to use the same detours. Before construction begins we will meet individually with the businesses to give more information.



Traffic Impacts: On Sunday, June 28th, two left turn movements will be restricted at the Redwood Road and North Temple intersection from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Please see the detour maps above for alternative routes.



Reach 5



Reach Description: Reach 5 extends from just east of Redwood Road on North Temple to the Jordan River. TRAX will be center running and includes a station at 1500 West. Access to the many businesses and office complexes will be maintained.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Spring 2010.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are no traffic impacts.





Reach 6



Reach Description: Reach 6 extends from the Jordan River to I-15 along North Temple. TRAX will be center running and will include two stations located at approximately 1100 West and 800 West North Temple. Access to the many businesses and the State Fairpark will be maintained.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Spring 2010.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are no traffic impacts.



Reach 7



Reach Description: Reach 7 is the area where the Airport Line will connect with the current north/south TRAX Line at the Arena Station. This reach extends from I-15 to 400 West along North Temple and turns south on 400 West, proceeding to South Temple. Access to offices and the Gateway will be maintained.



Current Construction: Currently, construction is not taking place.



Upcoming Construction: Heavier construction is anticipated Winter 2010.



Traffic Impacts: Currently, there are currently no traffic impacts.








General Information



Access during Construction

UTA is committed to maintaining 24-hour access to all of the businesses and residences along the construction corridor. We will coordinate with businesses in cases where access may be temporarily limited.



Construction Hours

Construction is permitted to take place between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Additionally, specific activities may require different working hours depending upon the conditions and will be coordinated with city officials.



Construction Tours

If you are interested in learning more about the construction project, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.



For More Information

Timely and helpful information is available to assist business and residential communities as well as commuters and stakeholders.



If you have questions or comments regarding the project, please contact our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854 or e-mail tcamp@rideuta.com. You can also visit UTA’s Web site at www.rideuta.com.



Please note that construction information provided is subject to change.

Outdated Technology?

Image via WikipediaYou know that old tired argument that certain people who shall remain nameless because they should always use about rail transit being outdated because it is 19th Century technology?

Since there have been so many serious postings lately, I thought it was time to lighten up the mood and here is some great information to the people that use that outdated technology bogus argument.

OK, so when was the first electric rail transit line started? 1891

Your right man that is old technology lets throw it our right? Here is some more really old technology that maybe should be thrown out:

1885: The first automobile patented that used Karl Benz's Otto Gasoline Engine. That's right folks the automobiles are older technology than electric streetcars!! (Picture is of Karl Benz's auto)

1879: Karl Benz patents the two stroke engine.

1823: First internal combustion engine is patented.

1806: First automobile propelled by Hydrogen and Oxygen

Around 1769: The first horseless carriage is developed. That's right the automobile dates back all the way to the 18th Century!!

So there it is folks. The next time you hear someone throws that old tired argument that streetcars are outdated technology, you can ask them if automobiles should be thrown out too because they are OLDER technology.

Person Charles Darwin

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