by electricron
RWERN wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:34 am This detour only adds about 15 miles to the journey.15 extra miles at 60 mph is 15 minutes lost. 15 extra miles at 30 mph is 30 minutes lost. Freight railroads companies, especially the UP, do not maintain their non-mainline tracks to the same condition as their mainline tracks. Does anyone know what the maximum train speed is for this sub? Does anyone know how much it will cost to upgrade the condition of these tracks for Amtrak desired passenger speeds? Does anyone know who is willing to pay for it? I guarantee you that neither Amtrak nor the FRA will assume the full costs.
Against the ~800 miles LAX-SLC on the previous route, it's only ~2% longer.
Barring slow speeds, it seems like a good trade-off to travel through populated areas versus wilderness.
I ask because Utah did step up and bought half the UP right of way for UTA Frontrunner commuter service between Provo and Odgen with access to reach Brigham City. But that is not a daily train service. UTA attracts 12,300 daily passengers at a frequency and ridership than a daily Amtrak service would ever provide. While Utah has an agreement with the UP to run trains from Brigham City in the north to Nephi in the south, a total around 135 miles. But they only run to Provo today, a total around 83 miles. Future expansion plans to the south are on hold mainly because of a lack of riders.
If Utah has their choice, they would rather have FRA grants to extend Frontrunner services than reincarnate the Desert Wind. So I think they would be unwilling to fund a reincarnated Desert Wind.
Last edited by electricron on Fri Jul 07, 2023 10:27 am, edited 2 times in total.