886 replies to this topic

[kermit]

While this is not directly relevant to the topic I wanted to share this very cool map of the amtrak network (it can be resized via the links at the top of the page)

http://www.flickr.co...57624475451796/

EDIT: Charlotte and Raleigh have relatively high importance using this perspective. The map also shows (IMO) the silliness of the Silver Star route through the sandhills. It would be way better for ridership and the NC rail system to run it down the NCRR to Charlotte and then the NS to Columbia (station issues in Columbia aside)

Edited by kermit, 08 May 2012 - 03:58 PM.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

kermit, on 08 May 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

While this is not directly relevant to the topic I wanted to share this very cool map of the amtrak network (it can be resized via the links at the top of the page)

http://www.flickr.co...57624475451796/

EDIT: Charlotte and Raleigh have relatively high importance using this perspective. The map also shows (IMO) the silliness of the Silver Star route through the sandhills. It would be way better for ridership and the NC rail system to run it down the NCRR to Charlotte and then the NS to Columbia (station issues in Columbia aside)

That is a really cool map!

[cowboy_wilhelm]

Transportation Officials to hold Southeast High Speed Rail Project Update Meeting for Wake Forest and North Raleigh

https://apps.dot.sta...ils.aspx?r=6433

[ajfunder]

Having the Silver Star run through Charlotte and possibly a daytime connecting train from Atlanta to Charlotte would make CLT a very busy Amtrak point as well as increase the need for Gateway Station.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

It would be difficult to schedule a convenient Charlotte time for the Silver Star service. Based on the current schedule, southbound would arrive around 12:35 am and northbound would probably arrive around 7:00 am (same time the northbound Carolinian departs). Changing times for all the other stops on the route just to accommodate Charlotte probably won't be a widely accepted proposal. But I still like the idea of getting Charlotte connected to Florida.

I still want a regional Crescent during DAYLIGHT hours for Atlanta-Washington, D.C. via Lynchburg, VA. I think that route has a lot of potential, especially with the recent extension of the Northeast Regional service to Lynchburg.

Edited by cowboy_wilhelm, 10 May 2012 - 05:37 PM.

[ajfunder]

I really just want to see a daytime train from CLT to Atlanta and train from CLT to Columbia. Having the Silver Star through Charlotte with a better schedule would be ideal because it continues to Florida but we at least need a connector train from Charlotte to Columbia and possibly even have multiple trips per day to Columbia and maybe even one that continues onto Charleston. But with SC's not so great track record with rail, I don't see it happening for a while.

[kermit]

cowboy_wilhelm, on 10 May 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

Based on the current schedule, southbound would arrive around 12:35 am and northbound would probably arrive around 7:00 am (same time the northbound Carolinian departs).

Yikes, you are right, the northbound schedule could not be worse for Charlotte (although its not as bad if you move the Carolinian departure to 6am instead of 7). The Southbound schedule is just about ideal -- it would leave Raleigh around 9pm so it could accomdate folks wanting to leave Raleigh after dinner. That said, given the long distance the Silver Star must travel, its timing would be so unreliable that it probably would not do much for intra-state travelers.

I do think a decent Columbia - Charlotte connection would be a big hit

Edited by kermit, 10 May 2012 - 07:00 PM.