any more updates on Fast Trax? (Denver, Aurora: house, buying, construction)

[Noahma]

I have not been following the developments as much as I should, but living so close to the tracks I have started noticing much much more activity on them. mainly they are Burlington Northern trains moving back and forth on the tracks. A couple weeks ago they moved about 40 empty train cars up the tracks, with the engines returning to Denver a few hours later. Today it was 4 engines moving north on the tracks as well. Anyone know what they are up to now?

[Noahma]

I think I got my answer. My father was saying that Burlington Northern is trying to find a place to store thousands of empty box cars, well what better place to place them than on old decommissioned lines.

Now We have about 50 of them on the tracks behind my house. Wonderful

[tfox]

Think you got your answer. The latest on the fastracks lines is that some are a lot more secure than others in funding. The most secure are the West Light Rail Line (to Lakewood/Golden -- already under construction), the Gold Line (to Arvada), and the East Line (to DIA). These all have secured a lot of federal dollars. The Boulder/Longmont, North Metro and I-225/Aurora lines, as well as the extensions onto the SW and SE lines, are all a lot more up in the air. Unless the feds or the voters choose to fund those corridors, I think we'll likely see cutbacks and/or delays on all of them. I don't think the voters will approve a tax increase in the middle of a recession, though a recent poll said they would.

[POhdNcrzy]

After all those millions we approved a few years back, this is all we get? (Speaking as a recent Coloradoan).

Here's my question? Who gets nicer catered lunches? RTD or AIG?

I guess life is good at the top (when you are milking all the slop)!

[AZMichelle]

Hi ~

I've read through some of your posts with your home near 112th and I wanted to know if I could pick you brain a bit.

I'm looking to buy a house near 104th with the tracks right behind it - sounds like it may be just as close as your house.

What have you determined based on the noise level? Who did you call to get info - I think I saw that you had spoken to the Assessor's office? I also saw posts back and forth with what appeared to be someone with good knowledge, who was that?

I have less than a week to complete my due diligence in regards to going forward on the purchase of this home - which I absolutely love. At the same time I don't want to get into a situation where I'm woken all night long and can't enjoy my back yard. If the trains are quiet like a bus then it won't be too bad.

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Michelle

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by AZMichelle

Hi ~

I've read through some of your posts with your home near 112th and I wanted to know if I could pick you brain a bit.

I'm looking to buy a house near 104th with the tracks right behind it - sounds like it may be just as close as your house.

What have you determined based on the noise level? Who did you call to get info - I think I saw that you had spoken to the Assessor's office? I also saw posts back and forth with what appeared to be someone with good knowledge, who was that?

I have less than a week to complete my due diligence in regards to going forward on the purchase of this home - which I absolutely love. At the same time I don't want to get into a situation where I'm woken all night long and can't enjoy my back yard. If the trains are quiet like a bus then it won't be too bad.

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Michelle

From what I have learned, the 112th station is a passable go. The 104th station is most defiantly a go. There are several "quiet zones" setup near residential crossings, The trains are restricted on where they can use the horn. They have decided on DMU engines, which is a diesel engine, about as loud as a bus, they are not full on train engines that haul freight. It looks like the station at 104th will be on the south side around the commercial development (where Albertsons is) I am not sure if your area is under one of the quite zones, but when one of the Union pacific trains comes through which has a louder horn It sounds more like a car horn from inside our house. They are planning sound breaks along the residential areas that will consist of block wall and dirt berms which should help immensely.


here is the website for the North Metro corridor.

North Metro Corridor


We love living in this area, everything is accessible by bike if you are into riding

[AZMichelle]

Thank you so much for your reply ~ I'm moving forward on purchasing the house in the Fox Run subdivision and am very excited about it! I received a personal phone call from a FasTrack rep and she was very informative. I'm much more relaxed about the proposition of the DMU's.

On another note, I'm very much into biking! I have a toddler so I'm purchasing a bike trailer for him so we can both head out and about.

Thanks again for your reply and letting me know that you love living in this area ~ this is my first house purchase and being a single mom it's even scarier ~ with your input I feel great about it!!!

Take good care,
Michelle

[WolfBoy914]

this is a DMU engine... Big difference from a freight engine.



I am surprised that they are not going with a diesel electric hybrid. they are super efficient and have much cleaner emissions than regular diesels.

[Itz]

Originally Posted by AZMichelle

Hi ~

I've read through some of your posts with your home near 112th and I wanted to know if I could pick you brain a bit.

I'm looking to buy a house near 104th with the tracks right behind it - sounds like it may be just as close as your house.

What have you determined based on the noise level? Who did you call to get info - I think I saw that you had spoken to the Assessor's office? I also saw posts back and forth with what appeared to be someone with good knowledge, who was that?

I have less than a week to complete my due diligence in regards to going forward on the purchase of this home - which I absolutely love. At the same time I don't want to get into a situation where I'm woken all night long and can't enjoy my back yard. If the trains are quiet like a bus then it won't be too bad.

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Michelle

You must be buying in the Fox Run area.. I live near there.. I don't have anything backing to the tracks and live a street over. I don't hear any noise and the railroad company WON't give you any information.. However if the approval for Fast trax does go through on these lines they are thinking of using Diesel engines as oppsed to electric. (something to keep in mind).
I work throughout the day though and don't hear anything at night.

I looked at a couple homes that backed up to those same tracks.. and even thought they aren't "used" I was leary as who knows what will happen in the future.

[Itz]

Originally Posted by Noahma

From what I have learned, the 112th station is a passable go. The 104th station is most defiantly a go. There are several "quiet zones" setup near residential crossings, The trains are restricted on where they can use the horn. They have decided on DMU engines, which is a diesel engine, about as loud as a bus, they are not full on train engines that haul freight. It looks like the station at 104th will be on the south side around the commercial development (where Albertsons is) I am not sure if your area is under one of the quite zones, but when one of the Union pacific trains comes through which has a louder horn It sounds more like a car horn from inside our house. They are planning sound breaks along the residential areas that will consist of block wall and dirt berms which should help immensely.


here is the website for the North Metro corridor.

North Metro Corridor


We love living in this area, everything is accessible by bike if you are into riding

WOW>. great info.. Thanks . I live in the Fox Run myself.