Dedicated Amtrak line between SF Bay Area and Reno possible?

[homersimpson101]

Do you think its possible that there will someday be a dedicated Amtrak line from SF Bay Area to Reno and back? Since Amtrak California trains can't leave the state, wouldn't it make sense to use long-distance Superliners or Amfleet cars?

 

[Cal]

I think Amtrak California trains technically can leave the state, but either CA would have to be really nice and fund it or Nevada would have to chip in. If a service were to start, it wouldn't use a dedicated Amtrak line, but the UP's existing ROW. I think it could use a small number of CA Bilevels that are freed up from the San Joaquin Ventures, or it would use Horizons. But no matter what cars it used, it will add another strain to an already very strained system, equipment wise. And I don't think there are any concrete plans and even if there were it would be many years before it took off, so this is all just fantasy. It would definitely not use superliners though, they are way too limited.

 

[zephyr17]

Do you think its possible that there will someday be a dedicated Amtrak line from SF Bay Area to Reno and back? Since Amtrak California trains can't leave the state, wouldn't it make sense to use long-distance Superliners or Amfleet cars?

1. There is no way Amtrak or the states will fund a new dedicated, passenger only rail line through a notoriously difficult mountain range, the Sierra Nevada.
2. If you are talking about a new National Network Amtrak service between the Bay Area and Reno using the current UP line over Donner Pass, be aware that is against current law, the PRIIA Act of 2008. Any service under 750 miles must be primarily funded by state and other local entities. California could fund it either by themselves or jointly with Nevada.
3. California/CCJPA already funds Thruway bus service to Reno/Sparks. There may not be a restriction on funding services with destinations outside California. It would be a matter of political prioritization. Many states purchase and provide equipment for state supported services, including California. If California elected to fund such a service, including equipment could well be part of that package.

 

[George Harris]

Do you think its possible that there will someday be a dedicated Amtrak line from SF Bay Area to Reno and back? Since Amtrak California trains can't leave the state, wouldn't it make sense to use long-distance Superliners or Amfleet cars?

Are you talking a new track or just new trains?

 

[jiml]

Are you talking a new track or just new trains?

That is the multi-billion dollar question. Both are unlikely but the latter at least has a grip on reality.

 

[GDRRiley]

Caltrans finished up a study just over a year ago looking at 2RT and 6RT I've attached it. They did not ask UP if they'd be willing to do ether this was entirely what could we do. Cost for 6RT was 450M and 2/3 of that was rolling stock while 2RT was 200M with 1/2 being rolling stock. Both prices are without any capacity upgrades

Ether way they assumed a Spark layover spot with space for 2-3 5 car trains just east of UP yard and a small wye.

 

[west point]

It is 64 UP rail miles between Colfax and Truckee. Amtrak schedules it at 2:22. It is 52 miles by car probably all on I-80. It is 44.11 air miles between the two. It is very unlikely in the future but if a Donner tunnel(s) like Gotthard was built everyone could win. Less than an hour Colfax <> Truckee.

We could see wintertime traffic explode. Much more IM freight but even a trucks on train for them to avoid I-80. During snow closures some kind of Auto Train service would greatly expand.

 

[BCL]

I'm thinking the California Zephyr goes between the Bay Area and Reno, so I'm not sure what else could be done. There's already two trips via bus from Sacramento per day. I don't think there's that demand for that route.

 

[Stevenz]

It is 64 UP rail miles between Colfax and Truckee. Amtrak schedules it at 2:22. It is 52 miles by car probably all on I-80. It is 44.11 air miles between the two. It is very unlikely in the future but if a Donner tunnel(s) like Gotthard was built everyone could win. Less than an hour Colfax <> Truckee.

We could see wintertime traffic explode. Much more IM freight but even a trucks on train for them to avoid I-80. During snow closures some kind of Auto Train service would greatly expand.

Would be great to see that for what it would mean for US rail in general. If you’re referring to the Gotthard Base Tunnel (the newest Gotthard tunnel), it was justified on the basis of 200 or more freight trains and 50 or more passenger trains per day. Even at that I wonder what the payback period is. It was also part of a realignment of the continental rail freight system. I don’t know if it was only Swiss money that built it or if there was substantial EU participation.

 

[zephyr17]

1. I do not see UP paying for a "Gottherd" type tunnel under Donner Pass. They have no need of such a thing at the price it would require.

2. I do not see the State of California paying the cost for such a tunnel for fast passenger service to Reno, either.

3. I do not see the Federal government paying for such a tunnel, especially if UP and/or California do not show active and enthusiastic ($$) participation.

In short, that doesn't have the remotest chance of happening. Playing trains in Fantasyland holds little interest for me.