CSX possibly closing 3 of 4 Atlanta yards (Savannah, Lithonia: homes, train, natural gas)

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

I was thinking more than that, though. Especially if we have frequent services in the MARTA service areas where there won't be lay overs, but large fleets will be needed.

As you said, the Gulch makes sense for a lay-over yard and maintenance for the laid-over trains, but what about all the other ones? What about the frequent commuter rail trains? What about the back-up trains? What about all the standard commuter rail, and intercity trains that end their trips in Atlanta? I don't know how much room would be needed, operationally speaking, for all three agencies to have storage and maintenance space as needed, but I have a hunch that it's more than the Gulch can offer on its own.

Huh? That's all exactly what I'm talking about. If a train isn't laid-over, it's in motion and unless they just lay a circle of track in the gulch...it's not going to be in the gulch for very long. I've measured it, there is more than enough room for a bit more than a dozen yard tracks stretching down to as far as the Peters St. bridge.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by MattCW

No, it runs a fair bit south of Tilford, closer to Howell crossing somewhere in this area: https://goo.gl/maps/EHcg24k22fS2 None of that is going to change.

That's not what the beltline maps show. They show the segment between westside and northside trails crossing at Marietta Blvd, right at the south end of Tilford Yard.

No, Howell yard is just north of the map I posted, a good miles from the Chattahoochee. There is however a rather large Transflo facility there, but I imagine it could be relocated to Tilford without too much trouble. But I believe Howell mostly serves local industries which can probably be served out of Tilford.

I meant Chattahoochee Ave. It crosses over Howell Station, correct? The Transflo is on Chattahoochee Ave. I don't know what the yard serves, but no trains depart it to the north. So it seems that those operations could easily be moved to Tilford.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Huh? That's all exactly what I'm talking about. If a train isn't laid-over, it's in motion and unless they just lay a circle of track in the gulch...it's not going to be in the gulch for very long. I've measured it, there is more than enough room for a bit more than a dozen yard tracks stretching down to as far as the Peters St. bridge.

What about the spare trains, the ones that are neither laid-over, nor in service? What about at the end of the day when service ends? Are a dozen yard tracks enough to store not only the laid-over trains, but the out-of-revenue trains as well? Can all three agencies store equipment there without needing additional yard space?

A dozen tracks is dandy, but how much equipment can that actually store, and how does that compare to the real storage needs of the various agencies?


I don't expect these questions to be able to be adequately answered at this point in time since there are little to no actual operations plans for any of the agencies right now, but it's something to keep in mind.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Hulsey closing and selling + somebody GOOD redeveloping it (not Fuqua) + MARTA infill at Krog St = game changer for ATL.

Thing is massive. Could be not just a little bit of everything, but a lot of everything. Mid-rise dense residential, lots of retail, offices, the works. Green space in there too. Trendy market. Movie production studios. All kinds of possibilities. W/ transit.

There's already a lot of development in that general vicinity. Not a game changer. Howell could be significant. It could really jump start development and redevelopment to the west.

[cqholt]

Doraville Yard, all that underused side tracks.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

What about the spare trains, the ones that are neither laid-over, nor in service? What about at the end of the day when service ends? Are a dozen yard tracks enough to store not only the laid-over trains, but the out-of-revenue trains as well? Can all three agencies store equipment there without needing additional yard space?

A dozen tracks is dandy, but how much equipment can that actually store, and how does that compare to the real storage needs of the various agencies?


I don't expect these questions to be able to be adequately answered at this point in time since there are little to no actual operations plans for any of the agencies right now, but it's something to keep in mind.

That's what the layover yards at the outlying terminals are for...

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by MattCW

That's what the layover yards at the outlying terminals are for...

I'm trying to keep us from needing to build / purchase all new land & facilities at the outlying terminals. If we consolidate the yards for a few lines into one, there could be significant cost savings.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

I'm trying to keep us from needing to build / purchase all new land & facilities at the outlying terminals. If we consolidate the yards for a few lines into one, there could be significant cost savings.

Unless you run the commuter rail on a truly balanced frequency, with equal outbound and inbound trains at all times, or you run non-revenue moves every day, you can't avoid it. There can be one central yard, but each line will need a terminating/originating yard of some kind too. The downtown yard can be central, all the lines can consolidate there, but again, they each still need outlying yards.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Unless you run the commuter rail on a truly balanced frequency, with equal outbound and inbound trains at all times, or you run non-revenue moves every day, you can't avoid it. There can be one central yard, but each line will need a terminating/originating yard of some kind too. The downtown yard can be central, all the lines can consolidate there, but again, they each still need outlying yards.

If MARTA gets to running frequent commuter rail in the core, then yeah, I can see the space being well used.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

If MARTA gets to running frequent commuter rail in the core, then yeah, I can see the space being well used.

Any "core" service would be HRT or LRT and irrelevant to any discussion of layover yards. Yes, they do need them, but their dynamics are a good deal different.