21 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 2/12/16:

Metrolink to speed up test trains on 91/Perris Valley Line expansion

In preparation for commuter-rail service on the expansion of the 91/Perris Valley Line, Metrolink will increase the speed of its weekend test trains between downtown Riverside and south Perris, Calif., the agency announced yesterday.

Update

[CNJRoss]

Metrolink news release:

 

Metrolink to increase testing on 91/Perris Valley Line

Thursday May 5, 2016

 

Residents and business reminded to be safe near railroad tracks.

 

LOS ANGELES – In preparation for Metrolink passenger service on the 91/Perris Valley Line (91/PVL) between the cities of Perris and Riverside, test trains will operate in the early morning and continue through each weekday beginning Monday.

 

The testing will simulate weekday passenger service scheduled to begin later this year along the 24-mile rail extension. Trains will leave South Perris as early as 4:37 a.m. and operate through Perris, Moreno Valley and Riverside toward the Riverside-Downtown Station. Trains will return to Perris between 5 and 8 p.m. Residents near crossings will hear rail safety systems, including train horns.

 

During the testing period, passenger service will not be available at Perris Valley Line extension stations. The current Metrolink schedule will continue to service the Riverside-Downtown Station. Metrolink will announce the start date for 91/PVL passenger service in the coming weeks.

 

Metrolink and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) did extensive outreach to communities along the Perris Valley Line to promote rail safety in advance of weekend testing, which began last fall.

 

As testing continues and once regular passenger service begins, residents and businesses in the community are reminded of the importance to following rail safety rules. The only safe place to cross tracks is at designated public crossings. It is both dangerous and illegal to trespass on rail property.

 

The 91/PVL extension enhanced 15 at-grade crossings in Riverside County.  The variety of safety measures included: flashing warning devices, gates, raised center medians, striping and pavement markings. The project also added pedestrian crosswalks at two railroad crossings and permanently closed two others.

 

To increase awareness of the dangers of crossing railroad tracks, a continuing public outreach program, “See Tracks? Think Train,” was launched in 2014 to select Riverside County schools, neighborhoods and community groups. Also, an extensive outreach campaign with the University of California, Riverside is ongoing.

 

For more information about Metrolink or the 91/PVL extension, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.