How close can two Amtrak stations be to each other?

[jmbgeg]

In one 20 mile stretch, we have five: Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville, Jack London and Oakland Coliseum.

Look at the Bay Area poulation density though.

 

[Cristobal]

Thank you Capitol Corridor. I plan on accruing quite a few AGR points throughout the year using the relatively short (and inexpensive) stops that this line provides.

 

[chertling]

Any two long-distance stops closer than 30 miles to each other on the same line would stand out as highly unusual in my book; even within 50 miles is notable. If they're on different lines, they could be closer.

The Southwest Chief's route is 2256 miles long and has 33 stations. This is an average of one station every 68 miles. However, there are three stations (plus a refueling stop) in a 66 mile stretch. Each of the stations is considered by the US Census Bureau to be in a separate metropolitan area, so this isn't a case of suburban vs. city stations like many of the other examples listed so far.

* Kansas City, MO - Milepost 437 - Metro Population 2,000,000 - Avg. 339 Passengers/day (figure also includes MO River Runner trains)

* (BNSF Argentine Yards - Kansas City, KS - Refueling Stop)

* Lawrence, KS - Milepost 477 - Metro Population 112,000 - Avg. 12 Passengers/day

* Topeka, KS - Milepost 503 - Metro Population 229,000 - Avg. 20 Passengers/day

 

[amtrakwolverine]

they also refuel the locos in ABQ i was there in 08 and they have a fuel truck there so they must refuel twice during the trip.

 

[OTownDog]

Boston South Station and Boston Back Bay are just a mile apart, and dozens of trains per day serve both.

RTE Westwood is maybe 10 miles south of BBY. It does, however sit on ( the 128/95/93 beltway, has a massive parking structure in the complex, and is in at the end of the University Ave business park. RTE station has several Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains, as well a MBTA commuter rail service. It's a great alternative to PVD or BBY for many people

 

[Guest]

I read Greg's thread with great interest regarding train service to small towns.
I live in a relatively small town of about 15,000 right on the CSX Mainline about 20 miles from Savannah. I'm sure that it's close enough to Savannah that Amtrak would never want to stop twice so close together, but how close are other Amtrak stations out there? Is there precedent to have service for a town 15,000 strong within 30 minutes of a town of 150,000?

Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario, maybe a mile apart. Yes NF Ont. is a Via station but it is a stop on the Maple Leaf.

Gord

 

[rtabern]

I of course had to throw in my 2 favorite very close stops.... Milwaukee and Milwaukee Airport.

They are 8 miles, or 10 minutes apart... and the ride will set you back around $7.

Not bad though... for a $14 round-trip between the pair I can get 300 AGR points (100 N/B +100 S/B + 100 S+ bonus)

Under that scheme, you only need to spend $700 to make AGR Select Plus status for the year. ($7 x 100 rides)

 

[Hamhock]

Similarly, Saco, ME and Old Orchard Beach, ME are only about 5 miles apart on the Downeaster; it takes about 8 minutes.

 

[user 1215]

Orlando and Winter Park, FL are about 5 miles apart.

And it takes 17 minutes. LOL. Even ORL to KIS is only 21 minutes...

Winter Park - Fraser, and Granby, Co. come to mind....only 13 miles apart, and both with tiny populations but important stops for skiers, vacationers, etc. in season.

Interesting situation there... Wonder if Amtrak would be amenable to stop at Winter Park (right outside of Moffat Tunnel) where the Ski Train used to stop before it's demise. I'm sure the Skiiers would LOVE that.

The reason that the old D&RGW refused to let Amtrak stop at the actual Winter Park, Co. stop was more complicated than just not wanting competition for its own Ski Train.

The Ski Train passengers were primarly day-trippers from Denver, that unloaded their own skis from each car. The train made a quick stop, then went on to wye and layover at Tabernash for the return trip.

The CZ, carried primarily vacationers from the midwest that were going to spend about a week at the resort. Besides their ski equipment, they carried plenty of baggage that had to be unloaded from the baggage car. This necessitated a much longer station stop that could interfere with freight traffic. So Amtrak was forced to build their own station at the more distant Fraser location.

Perhaps it could be re-examined today?

True, there is no siding at Winter Park and there is a nice passing (and storage siding IIRC) at Fraser. Line of sight is much straighter at Fraser, too, which is a benefit. Fraser also serves a big area all the way up to Tabernash and back to Winterpark where there is a lot of non-skiing and Summer activities. The YMCA of the Rockies is huge. We used to stay there every Summer for a week.

That all being said, I'd really like to see the Ski-Train return...