twropr wrote:When Trinity Express began operation on late '96, how many trains/weekday did they operate out of Dallas. Looks like they are running 47/day now Dallas-Ft. Worth, which is more than the South Shore runs on their electrified line out of Chicago.
Also, what are the issues that keep Amtrak from running their TEXAS EAGLE over Trinity rather than the present UP/T&P route?
Thanks! Andy
I really can't help with TRE's old timetables. Today's timetables can be found at
http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/newweekeb.html
But I can help with growth in riders and trains. Surf to
http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/traininfo.html
First full year (1997) = 176,000 riders
Last year recorded at link (2007) = 2,500,000 riders
Also on the same link:
"December 15, 1997 – The Trinity Railway Express commuter rail line debuts an expanded schedule featuring midday and evening service. The new schedule allows DART to offer 50 trips each weekday on the Trinity Railway Express, up from the 30 currently provided."
Therefore, for almost the first year in operation, the TRE ran 30 trains a day. Since that first year, the TRE has been running approximately 50 trains a day.
The TRE didn't exist when Amtrak was formed, and therefore is under no obligation what-so-ever to allow Amtrak on their tracks. The Texas Eagle will switch over after finalizing an Interlocal agreement (contract) with the TRE. The TRE is waiting upon finishing double tracking another few miles before allowing the Texas Eagle on their corridor on a regular basis. I expect the TRE should be ready sometime next year with the tracks, which will leave bickering lawyers in control of exactly when the switch occurs.
