Okie Dokie. We now have Oct. 1, as the start date for Capital Metro's RedLine in Austin Tx.
The contractors are now working on the remainder of the stations. He's a snap a fews weeks ago of the track leading to Convention Center Station. They cut out the old tracks and are putting in the new one. I'll take another snap next week since the progress is moving quickly. Believe it or not, this picture is in near the middle of downtown Austin and the Convention Center is a few blocks West. Lady Bird Lake is South (to the right of the equipment) and downtown proper is to the north west. I35 is just beyond the trees. If you want to use Google StreetView of the area you could start at 4th and Red River Austin, Tx. On 4th you can see the tracks covered over with asphalt.
CapMetro is 1 year late I think on the RedLine.
From CapMetro's website...
On October 1, Capital Metro announced that service will begin on the Red Line on Monday, March 30. We’re planning some exciting community events leading up to opening day. Stay tuned for more details.
The trains are running smoothly and I just saw one pass first hand. They are so quite I couldn't believe it. Those welded or seemless rails seem to do the trick. :)
On October 1, Capital Metro announced that service will begin on the Red Line on Monday, March 30.
We’re planning some exciting community events leading up to opening day. Stay tuned for more details.
Capital Metro is in the final steps of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waiver process regarding regulation of service.
Capital Metro and the FRA have reached consensus on how any remaining items will be addressed.
The fares for MetroRail were approved by the Board of Directors and a Local Government Approval Committee. Click here to learn more about the new fares.
We have completed vehicle clearance testing from Leander to Waller Creek.
Crossings to the west in Leander and crossings to the east as far as MLK, Jr. Street have been certified for MetroRail testing operation up to 20 MPH.
Testing schedule:
Weeknights, approximately 7 p.m. â€" 5 a.m.:
Trains run from Capital Metro’s Railcar Maintenance Facility near U.S. Hwy. 183 and Burnet Road to the area just south of the Gracy Farms crossing.
Weekends, approximately 10 a.m. â€" 5 p.m.:
Trains run between Lamar Blvd. to the area just shy of FM 620.
To minimize noise impact, Capital Metro is limiting its nighttime testing to a stretch of track that is farther away from residences. FAQ
Capital Metro will begin an extensive safety and operations training program for at least 45 days leading up to the public launch of the service on March 30.
During this time Capital MetroRail trains will be running (without passengers), while Capital Metro staff will be testing each aspect of the track signals and training its train conductors on the operation of MetroRail trains.
Staff has drafted initialtravel time estimates for Capital MetroRail. These estimates are subject to change based on actual field testing and finalization of the schedule.
According to Ock, the delay is because they ran into some issues with the FRA.
there was some talk as to who the regulator would be. at this stage they don't know the governing agency?? How could that be?