Adding frequency to LD service

[Willbridge]

Is there anyway to get an Amtrak train to Nashville? Could it connect with the City of New Orleans at Memphis? I don't think the Nashville to Atlanta proposal will ever happen.

The L&N had a line from St. Louis to Atlanta via Evansville and Nashville that crossed the IC main line. They also had a line between Memphis and Nashville. Someone here knows a current possibility.

 

[GDRRiley]

If we're talking about LA to Bay Area service, I would like to see service to San Francisco and not just San Jose, Oakland, Emeryville, etc. I'm not particularly interested in additional service up to Seattle. There's already a train from California to Seattle. There's zero Amtrak service to San Francisco. Amtrak Thruway buses are just another hassle. There's no reason Amtrak can't just go from San Jose to San Fran.

the issue is unless amtrak can hold a good timetable they'll be really screwing with caltrain and likely caltrain and CAHSR timetable.

 

[west point]

Interesting that Birmingham-NOLA is #2....

That would seem to indicate a second Crescent route trains with NOL arrivals around 0600 - 0900 with departures at NOL about 2000 - 2200. However, reality will depend on the final results of STB's decision on CP-KCS merger decisions especially Meridian - Marshall, TX. Once that decision can better decide what is best.

 

[Anderson]

the issue is unless amtrak can hold a good timetable they'll be really screwing with caltrain and likely caltrain and CAHSR timetable.

Well, either achieve a good timetable or accept getting knocked into an at-their-convenience slot. Also, it depends on when they're coming and going - a train arriving after rush hour could probably go in just about anywhere since Caltrain only goes about twice an hour and CAHSR probably wouldn't be running more than 2-3x/hour at that point. Send them in behind the next CAHSR train and they should be mostly out of everybody's way.

 

[jis]

Well, either achieve a good timetable or accept getting knocked into an at-their-convenience slot. Also, it depends on when they're coming and going - a train arriving after rush hour could probably go in just about anywhere since Caltrain only goes about twice an hour and CAHSR probably wouldn't be running more than 2-3x/hour at that point. Send them in behind the next CAHSR train and they should be mostly out of everybody's way.

Additionally their operating plan should not involve extended storage of rolling stock in San Francisco.

And I suppose it better be a push-pull consist.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

That would seem to indicate a second Crescent route trains with NOL arrivals around 0600 - 0900 with departures at NOL about 2000 - 2200. However, reality will depend on the final results of STB's decision on CP-KCS merger decisions especially Meridian - Marshall, TX. Once that decision can better decide what is best.

Or just a regional/corridor train...

 

[jis]

Or just a regional/corridor train...

Indeed. The real problem segment is Atlanta to Birmingham which is the reason that even Southern ran its Southern Crescent only three times a week quite often. That ridership info indicates a regional train between New Orleans and Birmingham more than a second LD train between Atlanta and New Orleans. And the said train could maximize ridership by running via Mobile, CSX-gods willing of course.

 

[cirdan]

If we're talking about LA to Bay Area service, I would like to see service to San Francisco and not just San Jose, Oakland, Emeryville, etc. I'm not particularly interested in additional service up to Seattle. There's already a train from California to Seattle. There's zero Amtrak service to San Francisco. Amtrak Thruway buses are just another hassle. There's no reason Amtrak can't just go from San Jose to San Fran.

Is there sufficient capacity at King Street to provide dedicated platforms for Amtrak in addition to Caltrain and CAHSR?