by ryanwc
Here is a link to a 2019 INDOT study INDOT study of Indy-Chicago.
This is really a great report, with itemized cost estimates and time savings for most of the sidings and other improvements envisioned. I wish I knew where to find such reports for Chgo-St. Louis and Chgo-Carbondale.
The authors were asked to look into needs for 2/day Hoosier State service along with continuation of existing Cardinal service at 3x/week. They only looked at Munster-Indy, leaving the exit from Chicago out of scope.
Basically, It looks like CSX would want $73 million in sidings to allow that level of service. Presumably these sidings would also improve reliability. Another $18 million in improvements at slow points would allow 6 minutes to be shaved.
The big gains would come from increasing top speed to 79 mph, which would cut another 32 minutes for $316 million (beyond the $91 million mentioned above.) This would pay for PTC and automatic gates at all crossings.
As a 4th potential element, they outline a new station at Indy airport for $16 million.
I'm intrigued by the speed profile charts on p. 50-53.
This is really a great report, with itemized cost estimates and time savings for most of the sidings and other improvements envisioned. I wish I knew where to find such reports for Chgo-St. Louis and Chgo-Carbondale.
The authors were asked to look into needs for 2/day Hoosier State service along with continuation of existing Cardinal service at 3x/week. They only looked at Munster-Indy, leaving the exit from Chicago out of scope.
Basically, It looks like CSX would want $73 million in sidings to allow that level of service. Presumably these sidings would also improve reliability. Another $18 million in improvements at slow points would allow 6 minutes to be shaved.
The big gains would come from increasing top speed to 79 mph, which would cut another 32 minutes for $316 million (beyond the $91 million mentioned above.) This would pay for PTC and automatic gates at all crossings.
As a 4th potential element, they outline a new station at Indy airport for $16 million.
I'm intrigued by the speed profile charts on p. 50-53.