New Rail & Transit Projects in SE PA and Philly (Philadelphia: transfer to, construction)

[solibs]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

solibs: There are two reasons why the Market Street subway tunnel was not extended further west. One is cost. Even with the expense ($750m, IIRC) of rebuilding the el, tunneling would probably have cost half again -- or even twice -- as much.

$600 million a mile?

The other is Mill Creek, which runs just under Market at 46th. There would have to have been some very deep tunneling -- and steep grades -- to run a subway tunnel beneath Mill Creek. (The creek was enclosed in a sewer in 1905. There have been occasional cave-ins since, and the 46th and Market intersection often floods in heavy rains because of the creek beneath.)

Gotcha. That makes sense.

[DarkWolf]

There Here , The New Silverliner replacements , my friend took some photos yesterday.


Flickr Photo Download: IMG_6672 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4518092266/sizes/l/ - broken link)



Flickr Photo Download: IMG_6669 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4518091312/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)



Flickr Photo Download: IMG_6668 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4518090828/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)



Flickr Photo Download: IMG_6667 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4518089850/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)



Flickr Photo Download: IMG00587-20100413-0848 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4517479071/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)

Interesting on how Septa used local plants and shops to build everything other then the shell. Most Transit agencies don't do that.



Flickr Photo Download: IMG00594-20100413-0906 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4517479511/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)



Flickr Photo Download: IMG_6687 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacorbett70/4517486975/sizes/l/in/set-72157623721865705/ - broken link)

My Philly Transit Friend says all Silverliners will be replaced by 2013.

[solibs]

and still no bathrooms.

[MarketStEl]

1) If you look at the poster, you will note that far from "everything but the car shell" is local in origin. Passenger seats, brakes, electrical systems, and those video screens are among the items not mentioned on that poster. Still, the cars do have an impressive amount of local content besides undergoing final assembly here.

2) The 120 Silverliner Vs will not replace the entire Silverliner fleet -- only the 90 Silverliner IIs and IIIs will be scrapped; the IVs will remain in service.

[FindingZen]

The updated video screens inside and outside are a nice touch. I would have hoped for more padded seating than there appears to be in those photos.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by solibs

and still no bathrooms.

& , what more do you want , this Septa were talking about.

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

1) If you look at the poster, you will note that far from "everything but the car shell" is local in origin. Passenger seats, brakes, electrical systems, and those video screens are among the items not mentioned on that poster. Still, the cars do have an impressive amount of local content besides undergoing final assembly here.

2) The 120 Silverliner Vs will not replace the entire Silverliner fleet -- only the 90 Silverliner IIs and IIIs will be scrapped; the IVs will remain in service.

I think so , but the second order , which might include Double Deckers will replace the rest of the fleet by 2018.

Originally Posted by Tone509

The updated video screens inside and outside are a nice touch. I would have hoped for more padded seating than there appears to be in those photos.

The Next step should be , reinstalling ticket machines at all the Major stations....

[MarketStEl]

Second order?

You had said 2013; I am certain that won't be the case -- I'm not aware of any order for additional Regional Rail cars currently in the works. I know that replacing the SL IVs is in the ten-year capital program, but right now, all capital projects are on hold until the state fixes the transportation funding mess.

Until bids are solicited, however, the existence of an item in the ten-year capital plan does not mean it will occur within those ten years. The SL IVs will have to be replaced sooner or later, and the fact that they are not capable of running in tandem with the Vs (they can be coupled together, but they would run as non-powered trailer cars in those circumstances) means they should be replaced sooner for maximum flexibility, but they are in generally good shape and I suspect could provide another decade of service at least.

[DarkWolf]

What are the chances that SVM and other planned lines will happen in Metro Philly? To me aside form the Money , the push for these lines is there , and people want alt these days.

[Jfoldno7]

I'll say this much. Rail transportation out to Phoenixville and Pottstown needs to happen. 422 is never fun and 76 is an absolute nightmare most days. I'm not convinced a simple R6 extension is going to be a viable option because the estimated duration of an all local trip from Phoenixville into Suburban station is going to be essentially the same as it currently takes to drive it. There either need to be viable express options during peak commute times or no one is going to use it.

The 422 corridor is absolutely begging for an alternative to driving. If SEPTA can create an rail line that cuts down on the commute time ridership from this area will be out of this world. Chester County transportation infrastructure is sorely lagging behind the population boom of the area.

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by Jfoldno7

I'll say this much. Rail transportation out to Phoenixville and Pottstown needs to happen. 422 is never fun and 76 is an absolute nightmare most days. I'm not convinced a simple R6 extension is going to be a viable option because the estimated duration of an all local trip from Phoenixville into Suburban station is going to be essentially the same as it currently takes to drive it. There either need to be viable express options during peak commute times or no one is going to use it.

The 422 corridor is absolutely begging for an alternative to driving. If SEPTA can create an rail line that cuts down on the commute time ridership from this area will be out of this world. Chester County transportation infrastructure is sorely lagging behind the population boom of the area.

Rendell killed the 422 and Cross County Metro saying at the time they were to big and would serve that many people. But there's growing pressure to build those 2 lines as they would help reduce some of the growing traffic snarls in SE PA. But i think they will get built sometime this decade along with the Newton Ext.

Septa's new Silverliners in testing.


YouTube - Silverliner V 701 Test Run 3