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Light rail good for rural areas
Published Friday, October 12, 2007
Although it is seen mostly as a metropolitan issue, news that two federal agencies have given their approval to the Northstar commuter rail line is also good for Fergus Falls and other communities along the I-94 corridor.
The commuter line, which may someday run from Big Lake near St. Cloud, down into the Twin Cities, has been edging closer to reality for years. As anyone who has driven I-94 between St. Cloud and the metropolitan area can attest, something is needed to take traffic off the interstate during busy periods. The Northstar line might be the answer — and one that will furthermore save significant gasoline by giving motorists a choice for their daily commutes.
We see the rail line as a good thing for Fergus Falls, Alexandria and other communities in West Central Minnesota because it could be the start of useful rail transport stretching all the way down the I-94 corridor. Fergus Falls will never be in commuting range of the Twin Cities (nor would we want it to be), but the possibility of hopping on a train and riding to the metro certainly beats the idea of driving all those miles. And anything that takes close-in commuters off the interstate will clear the path for west central residents who must drive to the Cities.
Light rail is a necessity in an age of diminishing gasoline resources and increased metropolitan traffic. This project might just be good for rural Minnesota, too.
Comments
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Light rail is commonly used in urban areas, not rural areas. The cars are indeed light(er) than standard rail cars. Stops are usually frequent, a mile or two apart. Because of the light weight, starts and stops are quicker, about the same as a motor vehicle. The disadvantage is that the top service speed is 55 mph. Commuter rail cars are considerably heavier and are used when stops are several miles apart. Top service speeds are over 90 mph, some cars are rated up to 100 mph. The limiting factor is signaling and track alignments. The North Star Corridor that begins operation in a year or two will have a top speed of 79 mph, common for most passenger trains including the Empire Builder that passes through Minnesota roughly paralleling U.S. 10.
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