Passenger train service Tulsa to Oklahoma City

[Shortline]

If interested, here's a short youtube video of the train, it's just a phone video, quality isn't good, but gives you a look at the consist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRKvX4DB2iY

 

[jis]

If interested, here's a short youtube video of the train, it's just a phone video, quality isn't good, but gives you a look at the consist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRKvX4DB2iY

I see that dragged the two ex-LIRR C1s out there from their normal home at Saratoga and North Creek.

 

[Shortline]

As info, the Eastern Flyer is running again on Saturday. Leaving OKC for Sapulpa around 0200 on a positioning move, loading passengers, and departing back for OKC at 0800. Will return to SAP that afternoon, then return to OKC that night.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Tulsa to Sapulpa to Oklahoma City was part of the Frisco's main line, route of the Meteor, overnight between st. Louis and Oklahoma City. It was never fast. Scheduled for about two and one-half hours, and that with signals and a speed limti that was most likely 70 mph. It is fairly curvey. So, if you want to get down to much less, you are talking realignments, not just track upgrades. As noted, Sapulpa to Oklahoma City is not a short line. Tulsa to Sapulpa remains in BNSF ownership as part of their route to Dallas / Ft. Worth. Saying all the above to say that if there is a desire to start up regular Tulsa to Oklahoma City passenger service, it won't be cheap.

I think it is interesting to note that once there was a train called the Meteor which had nothing to do with the Silver Meteor. And, for that matter this Meteor was also :silver: that is,stainless steel, similar equipment.

 

[jerichowhiskey]

Iowa Pacific wants ODOT to name them the passenger operator on the line: PDF.

 

[Anderson]

It at least looks like Iowa Pacific has a good model to look at, particularly if they can do a B&O-style shuttle network at each end.* I can't evaluate their likelihood of success, but IP has shown that it can put together a good model. The big unknown is whether ridership will hold up when the train isn't strictly a novelty. However, the lower fares should help on that front...and given the level of service that IP wants to run, that should beget some ridership as well. Another big point is that IP seems to have their labor costs in hand far more than does Amtrak.

*Since the B&O didn't have tracks into NYC, they ran a network of shuttle buses that picked people up all around Manhattan and ran them to the trains in NJ.

Edit: Serious what-if that we might want to ponder...if this works out, could IP make a serious pitch for Des Moines-Chicago service?

 

[Paulus]

It's down to Watco and BNSF but Watco says they'll do what it can to provide passenger service if they win the bid.

http://m.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/bnsf-watco-chosen-to-negotiate-with-state-for-sooner-sub/article_e973958a-98f0-11e3-93ff-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

 

[Passin Thru]

WATCO can win that one. BNSF really does'nt want it. Don't only own the track from Sapulpa to Tul now. I lived in Chandler when KATY ran through and the Ringling Bros train went through town at track speed, 30 MPH. Most trains through there are running about 15, grade crossings are signed only, not lit but the track bed is in good shape. Some of you may not know but the track runs through town in Stroud & Chandler and misses all the rest. It makes a horsehoe turn E of Chandler then a turn back to the SW West of town.

 

[CHamilton]

The Eastern Flyer rail line to finally connect OKC, Tulsa

A privately operated passenger rail line between the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metros will begin in the spring, and OKC city officials have expressed a desire to see the train reach downtown.
The current route map will see the Eastern Flyer terminate at 10th Street and Sooner Road, with buses transporting passengers to a location in downtown....

City Manager Jim Couch said a meeting will be held with the owners of the new rail line to discuss options for bringing the line into downtown.

 

[CHamilton]

Iowa Pacific Shares Details on Passenger Rail Trial Run

Passenger rail service between Tulsa and Oklahoma City has been an elusive goal for some time, but it’s about to become a reality.


The state transportation department sold the 97.5 mile Sooner Sub line to the Watco Companies last year. Watco said then it would work with Iowa Pacific to offer passenger service on the freight line, and the company has come forward with an idea for six months of trial service.

Representatives from Iowa Pacific shared their plan with Tulsa city councilors Thursday, and if they were hoping for someone enthusiastic to design the trial service between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, they got their wish.

H/T to Jis.

 

[keelhauled]

Per Trains Magazine (subscription required), Iowa Pacific will run trains between the outskirts of Oklahoma City and the outskirts of Tulsa, with connecting vans to downtown, supposedly starting in May or a little later. Tickets from $20, and it will have food and wifi available. Apparently track improvements are happening now. Interestingly, the FRA hasn't actually approved it yet.

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/03/31-eastern-flyer

 

[CCC1007]

Isn't the fra supposed to stay out of intrastate stuff?

 

[jis]

Isn't the fra supposed to stay out of intrastate stuff?

No. That would be the STB which took over residual functions of the ICC. FRA is responsible for regulating all railroads that are not "subways" or LRT, roughly speaking.