5 ms·
> If you haven’t experienced the future of transportation for yourself yet Suburban trains in my hometown have been electrified since 1920's. It only took abou
by twelve40 2y ago
> If you haven’t experienced the future of transportation for yourself yet
Suburban trains in my hometown have been electrified since 1920's. It only took about 100 years to start experiencing the future here in the Bay!
- dekhn 2y agoThe bay area already had multiple electric trains for quite some time, I think from the 1800s and at scale in the 1920s. I think the train that ran on the lower deck of the bay bridge (before it was switched to car traffic) was also electric as were many other railroads around california. But it was removed after WWII since there was such a rapid switch to personally owned cars. bart is electric, and the muni streetcars (both have been that way for a while).
- klipt 2y agoI wonder how many "environmental studies" they had to do to conclude that electric trains are better then diesel
- jrockway 2y agoFWIW, "environmental studies" don't necessary restrict themselves to "the environment" like trees and birds or whatever. The project increases frequency and capacity so they have to plan around things like how much longer per day grade crossings will be blocked and things like that.
- nativeit 2y agoCareful. Nuance like this may soon be illegal, the charges will be aggravated if it makes a bro look stupid.
- chiph 2y agoI think that part of the reason we get so many "studies" done is because of how government accounting works. IMO the scenario is they have $250k free to use. But that isn't enough to do anything significant, like electrification, bridge-building, land acquisition, etc. And they're required to spend it by the end of the year (they aren't allowed to save it for next fiscal year). So you get a series of small studies that essentially waste money but look like they're accomplishing something.
- mitthrowaway2 2y agoIt does even read like an article from the 1920s! Still, better late than never!
- e_y_ 2y agoIn fact it was looked into by Caltrain's predecessor, the Southern Pacific railroad https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDI19210907.2.17 https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDI19210907.2.17 Stockton Independent, September 1921 > Electrification of Lines to Be Looked Into by S.P. > SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6. — William Sproule, president of the Southern Pacific company, has received authorization from the board of directors of the railway to investigate the feasibility of electrifying the Southern Pacific lines between San Francisco and Peninsula points, It was announced here today. Better and more frequent service would result from electrification of the peninsula lines, according to parties who petitioned the Southern Pacific to take this action. (Unfortunately, it was dismissed a couple weeks later: https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDI19210917.2.13 https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDI19210917.2.13)
- jrockway 2y agoPrior to the Caltrain electrification, BART existed and it's pretty much a suburban rail system. Just served a different part of the Bay Area.
- labster 2y agoLos Angeles had an extensive electric train system operated by Pacific Electric in the 1920s, but eventually they were all removed to improve motor traffic, and because the owners sold all of the real estate that the Red Cars made more attractive. This article feels like experiencing the past to me.
- ulfw 2y agoAnd they still make noise like in the 1920s with their silly horns. I was once visiting a friend who lived near those housing developments that are all along the Caltrain tracks in the South Bay. I almost lost my hearing. It was insane. No way could I live like that or even try to sleep. Some things in America are truly shocking.