Charlotte CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar

[jtbell]

Charlotte has been working on a 1.5 mile starter segment of a proposed 10 mile streetcar line, running basically east and west, connecting with the LYNX Blue Line light rail at the Arena/CTC station. It's supposed to be finished sometime this year. Here are some pictures of the construction work during the past six months:

http://www.jtbell.net/transit/Charlotte/Streetcar/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jtbell]

The line was scheduled to open in March. Now testing is to begin in March, with the opening in June (no specific date yet).

Charlotte streetcar delayed three months (Charlotte Business Journal)

[Bob Roberts]

Its certainly nowhere near a done deal yet but Phase 2 of the Gold Line (the streetcar extension project) is penciled into the FTA budget for FY16. While the budget is far from set, it is a good sign to see this project listed. Now if only Charlotte can find its $75 million in the couch cushions of the mayors office...

http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/ ... lights.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (see page 12)

Phase 2 of the project includes extensions at both ends of nearly open Phase 1 and the purchase of modern vehicles for the line (they plan to use replicas for Phase 1 which should open in June). The Phase 2 extensions will run the tracks all the way through downtown and provide rail transit access to Gateway station (if it ever gets off the ground) -- thus connecting NCDOT intercity rail service (and future SEHSR) to Charlotte's light rail for the first time.

The basics on planning for Phase 2:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/NC_Cha ... e_FY15.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bob Roberts]

testing on the Gold Line streetcar has begun. Full opening scheduled for "June"

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/c ... ght/nkdLN/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dowlingm]

I thought the Gold line was going to use modern rolling stock, or is "modern streetcar" a term referring only to the track being new build?

[Bob Roberts]

I thought the Gold line was going to use modern rolling stock, or is "modern streetcar" a term referring only to the track being new build?

Unfortunately the starter segment (the 1.5 miles that will open in June) will use the three replica vehicles that CATS already owned and were previously used for trolly service on what became the blue line. These are the same vehicles that New Orleans uses on their Canal Street line.

Modern vehicles are planned for stage 2 of the Gold Line. The city currently has a new starts grant for phase 2 under review at the FTA, and money for the grant appeared in the Presidents budget proposal (so it looks like the city will recieve the grant). However, the city just encountered some budget problems and it appears that the local match for phase 2 will be discussed again by the council.

[dowlingm]

thanks Bob

[jtbell]

The city currently has a new starts grant for phase 2 under review at the FTA, and money for the grant appeared in the Presidents budget proposal (so it looks like the city will recieve the grant).

Subject of course to the inevitable tussling between the President and Congress, and the sub-tussling between the pro-business Republicans and the cut-all-spending Republicans.

[electricron]

The city currently has a new starts grant for phase 2 under review at the FTA, and money for the grant appeared in the Presidents budget proposal (so it looks like the city will recieve the grant).

Subject of course to the inevitable tussling between the President and Congress, and the sub-tussling between the pro-business Republicans and the cut-all-spending Republicans.

FTA "New Starts" funding program will continue to be funded. Any cuts the present Congress may make will be just small cuts, since the entire program was reauthorized last year. What may happen is a slowing down of the funds to Charlotte, not the compete elimination of them. This is an excellent example of "out years" program funding that's so hard to cut.

[jtbell]

The Gold Line opened on Tuesday, June 14, as scheduled. The ceremony at 10:00 am was originally supposed to be on the plaza in front of the arena and next to the light rail station, but the threat of rain caused it to be moved inside the Charlotte Transportation Center across the street. Speakers had to compete with the roar of buses continually entering and leaving.

Afterwards, there were three inaugural trips for invited guests only. Public service started at 1:00 pm. Here are three videos showing the first two inaugural trips.

First trip leaving the CTC/Arena station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBtTZJPNk6A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

First and second trips pass each other on Elizabeth Avenue at Kings Drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1MQ3VN3PPI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Second trip turns from Hawthorne Lane onto Elizabeth, as it starts its return to CTC/Arena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5XlzOgGnyo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Report from the Charlotte Observer: Charlotte’s Gold Line streetcar shimmers on first run

[jtbell]

The Gold Line opened on Tuesday, June 14, as scheduled.

Oops, a typo... that should have read "July 14" and now I apparently can't edit it.

[SouthernRailway]

Not sure if this is off to as strong a start as the Blue Line:

1. With all of the capital costs, I'd think that running frequent trips wouldn't be that much more expensive. With the schedules for this line, if you barely miss one streetcar, at least at my walking speed, it's faster to just walk rather than wait for the next one.

2. Why not at least go ahead and have modern streetcars running? A heritage streetcar-while cheaper since an existing one was clearly just hauled out of storage-is kind of like running a new passenger train with an E8A-B locomotive set and Budd cars from the 1940s. Is that the way to make the best impression on prospective passengers?

[bdawe]

I believe that they are historic-style street cars, rather than heritage street cars. They are air conditioned, for instance

[Disney Guy]

Antique looking streetcars can attract a lot of attention, which is why some are still being built.

If track and platform geometry were appropriate, a Blue Line car could run on the Gold Line.

[jtbell]

With the schedules for this line, if you barely miss one streetcar, at least at my walking speed, it's faster to just walk rather than wait for the next one.

Can you walk a mile and a half in 15 minutes? In 90+ degree heat? I was there yesterday, and actually did walk the length of the line twice so I could take some pictures. It sure felt good to get into an air-conditioned streetcar.

Why not at least go ahead and have modern streetcars running?

Not enough money this time around. The budget for the phase 2 extension includes seven new streetcars.