DC MARC and VRE vs Chicago Metra

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by birdsing

4 of the 5 commuter rail lines that serve the Balt-Wash area have to share the tracks with freight trains, so that reduces the window which they can operate.

The penn line is the only one thats 100% passenger only and it could used weekend service badly.

Most of Metra's lines also host freight trains. Some, like the UP North, don't see many. Even line that Metra owns, such as the Milwaukee-West, sell passage to freights, but limit the hours they operate.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by birdsing

4 of the 5 commuter rail lines that serve the Balt-Wash area have to share the tracks with freight trains, so that reduces the window which they can operate.

The penn line is the only one thats 100% passenger only and it could used weekend service badly.

Most Commuter Rail lines share ROW with fright trains; even Amtrak and Acela (the area in this video literally shares ROW with freight, commuter (SEPTA & NJT), Intercity rail (Amtrak Acela and Metro Service)


YouTube - ‪Acela Express races Conrail Freight‬‏

[Joke Insurance]

I suppose if we wanted to build a whole new commuter rail line, we could build one adjacent to the Washington & Old Dominion Rail Trail. Speaking of which, was that former rail line railbanked?