Detroit to Ann Arbor commuter line Options

[amtrakwolverine]

The current project is to provide commuter rail service in the Detroit-Ann Arbor corridor with stops in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Dearborn, and Detroit. The project takes advantage of existing infrastructure where possible and requires adding new station stops in Ypsilanti and at Detroit Metro Airport.

Rolling stock is ex go transit F59PH locomotives. They will run in 2 car sets. The passenger cars look like the type Chicago METRA uses. It was supposed to start in October 2010 but naturally has run behind.

http://www.semcog.org/AADD.aspx

current update

http://www.semcog.org/A2D2January2011Update.aspx

This post has been edited by amtrakwolverine: Mar 9 2011, 04:28 AM

[amtrakwolverine]

June Update http://www.semcog.org/A2D2June2012Update.aspx

40 MPH testing is complete and the 79 MPH testing to start in july. The train should be running by the end of 2012 or early 2013. it will be a event train only running during events.

[KevinKorell]

It will be a event train only running during events.

Yep, that's when event trains usually run.

But seriously, I hope that these event trips are only shake-out runs to eventually have regularly scheduled commuter trips. They are calling it a commuter line, so if it ends up being event-only, then that violates the definition of commuter service. It would remind me of that joke On-Track they had in Syracuse -- which never could have served commuters with its schedule.

[Sloan]

Although the writer rode to Ann Arbor on Amtrak, the focus of the article is on commuter rail.

Ticket prices were too steep for my blood and, after enjoying the pregame festivities around Michigan Stadium, I grabbed lunch in town at Blue Tractor and watched it on TV. At halftime, I took the bus out to the Wolverine State Brewing Company—1.8 miles from downtown—for the second half.

Ann Arbor has had a downtown streetcar plan—not mentioned in the write-up—in the works for a number of years. It should be a viable operation considering Ann Arbor is a city with a huge university population base.

Sloan

http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/23...r_without_a_car

[Sloan]

http://www.annarbor.com/news/commuter-rail...tarting-monday/

[amtrakwolverine]

Doesn't give a time as to when it will depart pontiac on wednesday or if it will take the wolverine route from PNT to jackson otherwise I would head to royal oak and try and film it.

[KevinKorell]

Doesn't give a time as to when it will depart pontiac on wednesday or if it will take the wolverine route from PNT to jackson otherwise I would head to royal oak and try and film it.

I haven't heard anything other than it will take the same route Amtrak does. It's supposed to connect places that currently are Amtrak stops (although as mentioned in the article, Ann Arbor would like a new station to serve both Amtrak and commuter trains).

And they won't be the first to use castaway Metra gallery cars. The Nashville operation (Music City Star) has them, and I believe some are still in VRE's fleet in Virginia.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 11/14/12:

Refurbished rail cars undergo testing for proposed commuter-rail services in southeast Michigan

Six refurbished, bi-level, stainless-steel rail cars are being tested this week between Pontiac and Jackson, Mich., as part of preparations for proposed commuter-rail services.

Here's the story.