A waiver to operate EMU's and diesels on same lines?

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news ... tions.html

Caltrain officials say the Federal Railroad Administration has granted a waiver allowing operation of electric multiple-unit (EMU) passenger rail equipment built to European standards in mixed traffic... Though the waiver allows EMU and diesel-hauled passenger equipment to operate concurrently, freight operations remain subject to temporal (time-of-day) separation along the route. “This tiny little streak of rust out here will be the first in the United States to allow mixed operations of service.”

Apparently no one has visited Metro-North lines or NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor? I'm so confused. What's so special about having EMU's, diesels, and freight all using the same tracks?

-otto-

The important phrase above was "built to European standards in mixed traffic"

European standards does not mean American standards nor FRA compliant. That's why a waiver was needed, and apparently approved by the FRA if the EMUs can meet specific requirements of the FRA waiver.....

Here's the few FRA compliant EMUs recenntly bought in America today...

South Shore's single levels by Nippon-Sharyo


MERTA's and South Shore's double levels "Galley" by Nippon-Sharyo


SEPTA's Silverliner V built by Hyundai-Rotem


MTA's M7s built by Bombardier


MTA's M8s built by Kawasaki


All the above railcars are heavy weights compared to various European EMUs.

Siemens Desiro


Stadler FLIRT


Bombardier Talent II

Bombardier double level VIRM


Stadler double level DOSOTO


And that's just EMU trains from three vendors, there's more European vendors that could submit bids.

The European trains are much lighter, therefore they accelerate faster, brake faster, and operate more efficiently....They also look lighter and quicker.

An oldie but a goodie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBiBSi2gXYs

That's a FLIRT in action. Speed in kmh

Looks like the FRA will be accepting CalTrain's wavier application to run European built, non FRA compliant EMUs in mixed used on CalTrain's corridor.
http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 6&start=15
While on the majority of the line there will be temporal separation from freight trains, but will allow mixed used with FRA compliant passenger trains. Additionally, over 6 miles of tracks south of San Jose the FRA will allow mixed use with freight rains too. CalTrain is looking at having non FRA compliant passenger trains running as early as 2015.....

Meanwhile, DCTA is in the process of writing their waiver application for their Stadler GTW DMUs.
Read more about that at
http://www.dcta.net/apps/AdminFiles/Get ... mplete.pdf
starting at page 45.
~ DCTA specifications to be completed late June for AVT (Alternate Vehicle Technology)
~ Notify Stadler for both AVT and PTC changes (Positive Train Control). Get price estimates from Stadler for the changes.
~ DCTA expects final approval for AVT from FRA wavier this fall.
~ GTW construction to start in September 2010
~ First vehicle is schedule to arrive in Lewisville in August 2011.
~ The final vehicle is scheduled for delivery in April 2012.
~ GTW “fleet transition” scheduled for September 2012.