Home · Maps · About

Home > SubChat

[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]

(858660)

view threaded

Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by eyedoctor on Sun Nov 15 17:24:19 2009

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Tomorrow, Northstar Commuter Rail's grand opening in Minneapolis.
Any subchatters in the Twin Cities will be there to take photos?

Post a New Response

(858665)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sun Nov 15 17:31:46 2009, in response to Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by eyedoctor on Sun Nov 15 17:24:19 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Wow, that's pretty exciting! Apparently it is now dubbed route 888.

I won't be there unfortunately, but I look forward to the pictures!

Post a New Response

(858729)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Nov 15 19:08:08 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sun Nov 15 17:31:46 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Apparently it is now dubbed route 888

What happened . . . did Vukan Vuchic get in at the last minute?

Post a New Response

(Sponsored)

iPhone 6 (4.7 Inch) Premium PU Leather Wallet Case - Red w/ Floral Interior - by Notch-It

(858732)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sun Nov 15 19:09:36 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Olog-hai on Sun Nov 15 19:08:08 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
! LOL

Post a New Response

(859389)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Joe V on Mon Nov 16 17:20:51 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sun Nov 15 19:09:36 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
If it ever gets to St CLoud, it might be a neat way to go from the eastbound Empire Builder to downtown Minne.

Post a New Response

(859404)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Mon Nov 16 18:06:53 2009, in response to Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by eyedoctor on Sun Nov 15 17:24:19 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
I was supposed to have made a trip to see it. *sigh*

So far I found five photos on flickr. The light rail extention is a good deal. now you can fly in, and take two trains WAY out there I suppose.

Post a New Response

(859441)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Mon Nov 16 20:53:25 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Mon Nov 16 18:06:53 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
I saw a few pics on, of all places, the baseball-fever.com board (in the "Target Field construction" thread. Northstar (and the Hiawatha light rail line) serve/will serve the stadium (the Hiawatha extension may still be testing).

Here's a link to the thread, although you may have to be a member to see the attached pics. I've linked the pic of Northstar at the Target Field station below.

Link to pic on Flickr

Post a New Response

(859483)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Mon Nov 16 22:19:18 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Mon Nov 16 20:53:25 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
sthe embedded pics came through fine.

It looks like a neat set up they have. Last saturday was supposed to be an open house at all the stations.

Post a New Response

(859563)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Hoghead on Tue Nov 17 00:08:21 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Mon Nov 16 20:53:25 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
The new Hiawatha Line station went into service on Monday, the 16th, also. The Hiawatha Line also gets another new station in Bloomington, probably in December.

Inbound count on the first day was 1,207. I am guessing that will be a lost closer to 2,000 within a couple of weeks.

Lots of information available at:

http://www.startribune.com/local/north/70176217.html

Look for different things to click on each of the 3 pages, including a video, a graphic, etc.


Post a New Response

(859655)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Nov 17 03:18:38 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Mon Nov 16 18:06:53 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Yup. Need moar.



Post a New Response

(859804)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Tue Nov 17 12:20:51 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Hoghead on Tue Nov 17 00:08:21 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Seems that Target Field will be one of the few Major League baseball stadiums served by commuter rail and "city" rail (i.e. light or heavy rail). Only other ones that come to mind are the NY stadiums and possibly Skydome Rogers Centre in Toronto (served by GO Transit and one of the surface trolley lines, IIRC.)

(Actually, AT&T Park in San Francisco is not far from the CalTrain station, but only Muni Metro's T-Third St line serves it directly (the N-Judah also serves it, but that will end with next month's Muni service cutbacks)).

Post a New Response

(859812)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:48:04 2009, in response to Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by eyedoctor on Sun Nov 15 17:24:19 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
An interesting system...40 miles, only 7 stations.

Any new transit is good, so I hope it works out.

Post a New Response

(859816)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:53:10 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Mon Nov 16 18:06:53 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Here's a good take from a foamer/journalist:

http://www.minnpost.com/davidhawley/2009/11/17/13511/riding_the_northstar_an_on-time_glide_with_two-story_views

Interestingly enough, the operators of the service will be BNSF employees. I'm not aware of any privately held American freight railroad operating a commuter service anywhere else.

Post a New Response

(859818)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:55:08 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Mon Nov 16 20:53:25 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
How far is Target Field from downtown Minneapolis? That looks like an inconvenient place for a terminal.

Post a New Response

(859836)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Jon Bell on Tue Nov 17 13:26:35 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:53:10 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Don't UP and BNSF operate the Metra routes in Chicago that use their tracks?



Post a New Response

(859885)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 14:41:05 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Jon Bell on Tue Nov 17 13:26:35 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Good question. I'm not sure.

Post a New Response

(859908)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 15:20:20 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Jon Bell on Tue Nov 17 13:26:35 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Metra's Wikipedia page states Metra took over full control of all it's commuter services in 1984.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metra

Post a New Response

(859921)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Hoghead on Tue Nov 17 15:37:33 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 15:20:20 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Metra did NOT take over full control of all its commuter services. Union Pacific operates the 3 former Chicago & Northwestern lines under a contract with Metra. BNSF operates the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line under a contract with Metra.

Post a New Response

(859933)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Hoghead on Tue Nov 17 15:54:17 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:55:08 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Target Field is on the west edge of downtown Minneapolis. Northstar riders have 3 choices: walk outdoors to their final destination, enter the skyway system at the adjacent 5th Street parking ramp for an indoor walk all over downtown, or hop on the Hiawatha Line at the new station.

Post a New Response

(859957)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 16:47:17 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Hoghead on Tue Nov 17 15:37:33 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Which is why I noted Wikipedia said it, not that it was absolute fact.

Post a New Response

(859989)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Scrabbleship on Tue Nov 17 18:44:53 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Tue Nov 17 12:20:51 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Camden Yards in Baltimore has the Light Rail and MARC's Camden Line.

Fenway Park has Kenmore on the Green Line in one direction and the Yawkey commuter rail station in the other.

Post a New Response

(859991)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Tue Nov 17 18:54:16 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Scrabbleship on Tue Nov 17 18:44:53 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
seattle?

Post a New Response

(859993)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Tue Nov 17 19:00:49 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:53:10 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Well, maybe a few, along with parking-averse shoppers and people who like to go to bed early on Saturday nights or get home on Sundays in time to see "60 Minutes."
===

Sounds like I'd like it.

Post a New Response

(860024)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Tue Nov 17 19:53:00 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:53:10 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Back in the day (late 80s), Southern Pacific operated CalTrain in the SF Bay Area. Not sure who does now.

Post a New Response

(860033)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Tue Nov 17 20:17:44 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Tue Nov 17 19:53:00 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
It's now AMTRAK.

Post a New Response

(860277)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by ctrabs74 on Wed Nov 18 01:24:14 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Olog-hai on Sun Nov 15 19:08:08 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
It's probably an internal route number, similar to the way MBTA's subway lines have internal route numbers (ex. Route 903 is the internal number for the T's Orange Line).

Post a New Response

(860280)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by ctrabs74 on Wed Nov 18 01:53:38 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by FYBklyn1959 on Tue Nov 17 12:20:51 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Seattle also fits in this category as well: Sounder Commuter Rail stops at King Street Station, while Sound Transit's Central Light Rail line serves the Stadium Station - both of which are within walking distance of Safeco Field.

Post a New Response

(860812)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed Nov 18 21:07:00 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by ctrabs74 on Wed Nov 18 01:24:14 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
NJT has internal numbers for NJTR as well. NJT's light rail has internal numbers for the light rail that line up with the bus route internal numbers (e.g. HBLR is route 100).

Post a New Response

(860910)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Wed Nov 18 22:19:43 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by ctrabs74 on Wed Nov 18 01:24:14 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Yep, and the LACMTA rail lines have internal numbers in the 800 series (801=Blue, 802=Red, etc.)*

*-I don't know if the Purple line has a separate number, or if it operates as a branch of 802, since the numbers are internal only, MTA may be doing it that way.

Post a New Response

(861093)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Olog-hai on Thu Nov 19 07:40:24 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Chris R16/R2730 on Tue Nov 17 12:48:04 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Cheap enough too, at $7.92 million per mile including rolling stock.

Post a New Response

(861132)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Thu Nov 19 09:03:43 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Tue Nov 17 18:54:16 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Yes

Post a New Response

(861133)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Thu Nov 19 09:06:17 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Tue Nov 17 20:17:44 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Ah I see, thanks. IIRC, Caltrain is managed by a Joint Powers Authority made up of the 3 counties that CalTrain serves (San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara).

Post a New Response

(861290)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Olog-hai on Thu Nov 19 17:40:36 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16-starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Tue Nov 17 20:17:44 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
No, it's Amtrak. (The word isn't an acronym.)

Post a New Response

(861310)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by Orange Blossom Special on Thu Nov 19 18:23:21 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by ctrabs74 on Wed Nov 18 01:24:14 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
I think the Light Rail in MN has a real route number though. I forget if it was displayed on the stops, but I think the schedules had it.

Post a New Response

(861385)

view threaded

Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail

Posted by FYBklyn1959 on Thu Nov 19 19:54:23 2009, in response to Re: Nov 16—starting date of Northstar Commuter rail, posted by Orange Blossom Special on Thu Nov 19 18:23:21 2009.

edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr
fiogf49gjkf0d
Line 55

Post a New Response


[ Return to the Message Index ]