STREETCAR NOW JACKSONVILLE!

[Ocklawaha]

Here's a little better map of what we're discussing.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Ock, if you were to design this system as a single bi-directional track to keep costs down, where would you put in the slidings?

[JeffreyS]

So I can have drinks at Mark's and some late night grub at Kickbacks.

[Ocklawaha]

Ock, if you were to design this system as a single bi-directional track to keep costs down, where would you put in the slidings?

I believe that is the way to do it and get the most bang for our bucks, hopefully having enough surplus to head on up Newnan to Beaver for a Arena Loop, Newnan-Beaver-Randolph (though Lafayette might be superior) and back on Duval to Newnan.

We should build double track where ever we encounter a restricted area that would:
1. be too tight and/or expensive to revisit
2. the Lee Street Viaduct, and certain smaller complex sections like the couple of blocks on Forest where a median and a number of lanes suggest the simplification of one way running.

Otherwise, passing sidings are a product of both space and a short study of time and estimated scheduling. This is something that could be done in a week, but I'd allow 90 days for such studies. 3 or 4 vehicles actually driving the route, making the stops and following every traffic rule can also ferret out problem spots that a simple study of time/distance might miss. These could be anything from a long stop light to a heavily patronized bus stop.

The new standards for American Streetcars are already roughed in and we are spot on with our simplistic designs.

Practices to Avoid

The following are examples of practices common to light rail, rapid transit, or heavy rail modes that have been or might be applied in a streetcar environment, and which these standards seek to discourage.

1. Use of overhead support poles much larger than required
2. Use of catenary overhead wire construction in an urban streetscape
3. Use of multiple contact wires or feeders or other overly complicated designs in a streetscape
4. Use of heavy trackwork in or near a streetscape
5. Use of intrusive station designs in a streetscape
6. Use of fences between track or other construction techniques that may cause the streetcar line to be a barrier dividing the community
7. Prohibition of station stops on grades or curves

Practices to be Encouraged

This standard seeks to encourage approaches such as these:
1. Simple bracket arm overhead wire supports designed to add an attractive feature to the urban environment
2. Overhead span wire support poles of minimum cross section, shared with street lighting or other utilities
3. Track on a median or streetside reservation surrounded by grass to level of the rail head
4. Unobtrusive street turnouts and crossings
5. Minimal but accessible station designs
6. Station designs that conform as much as possible to the contours of the streetscape
7. Simple raised or delimited track reservations that separate auto traffic from streetcars but that allow rubber-tired access in emergency situations
8. Electrical substations placed so as to minimize visual intrusion and avoid use of real estate better suited for other purposes
9. Direct fixation

Introduction/Statement of Purpose (Second Draft)
Heritage Trolley / Streetcar Infrastructure Standards
J. Schantz - September 2007

Draft List of Topics to be Covered in this Standard - Directly or by Reference to other Standards

1. Track cross slope
2. Use of girder rail vs. T-rail
3. Use of cast vs. built up frogs
4. Guidelines for direct suspension overhead
5. Guidelines for substations
6. Design and placement of feeder wires
7. Guidelines for signals
8. Guidelines for placement of stations (including hills, curves)
9. How to build street track with minimal disruption of traffic and local businesses/residents
10. Allowable grades and minimum curve radii.

There is also a scheduling graph that will lay out the exact locations of all passing sidings as soon as we know the exact speeds at different times of day, over the entire route.

OCKLAWAHA

[PeeJayEss]

If there's a streetcar from DT to Rside, I'm buying a place DT.

[Ocklawaha]

That's one vote in the right direction already... do I hear a second?

btw, I have located 5-6 VINTAGE cars that can be had for a song...

OCKLAWAHA