Metrolink will have limited service on Memorial Day (Antelope Valley line only)

Metrolink will have limited train service on Monday, May 30th in observance of Memorial Day. with two round-trip Antelope Valley line trains only. Also, due to track work, trains 263, 269, 262, and 268 will operate only from Los Angeles to Via Princessa. Bus service will be provided to Lancaster.

Please click HERE for more information

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Sky

First Metrolink Route Extension Since 1994 - Coming June 6th

After years of delay, the first Metrolink extension since 1994 is about to open. This route has been in construction since 2013, and extends the current 91 line an additional 24 miles past Riverside to four new stations: 

Riverside - Hunter Park

Moreno Valley/March Field

Downtown Perris 

South Perris

This will allow residents of Menifee, Lake Elsinore, etc., to commute to their jobs in Riverside, Fullerton, or Los Angeles. The extension has been anticipated since 2002, and, with the collaborative efforts of the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink, the route is finally going to be open to the public on  Monday, June 6th. There is a $10 promotional round-trip fare while travelling within Riverside County, and a 10% discount starting at one of the new stations, and travelling outside Riverside County. I really don't understand why they couldn't have made it free for the first day, I mean, come on.

The route is expected to serve over 4,000 passengers a week, which will ease traffic on Interstate 215. Metrolink will operate 3 round trips from South Perris to Los Angeles, and an additional 3 round trips from South Perris to Riverside-Downtown. Unfortunately, on weekends, trains will only operate between Los Angeles and Riverside, so this route mainly seems to be for commuters. 

If you are having trouble viewing the schedule, click HERE

RCTC purchased the old freight right of way in 1993, and they planned for the route to be open in December of 2015 even though it wasn't finished. They improved it, which included adding a second track along 10 miles of the extension, which is important to prevent congestion. Grade crossings were also enhanced for safety. And unfortunately, safety improvements usually come with quiet zones, which are being implemented in Riverside. This will silence the beautiful whistles of trains except in emergency situations.

You can read my blog post about why quiet zones can be a waste of money, and don't really improve safety, HERE.

I'm very excited as I'm sure many of you foamers are as well, so I will be at the grand opening on Monday, June 6th, covering the event, and I'll post a video to my YouTube channel as well. Follow me on Twitter @snazzysky1234 for photos and videos of the new route. 

Sources:

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/agency/page/title/Perris_Valley_Line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91_Line

http://perrisvalleyline.info/history

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-perris-train-20151212-story.html

New video coming on Sunday!

New video "Railfanning in Irvine" is coming on Sunday at 5:00PM PST. The link will not work until then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag1Ig9wlJ0o

New video is LIVE in 4K!

My latest video "Evening Railfanning at Fullerton Station" has just been released. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l77vh_G2W8

New "Nighttime trains" video is live!

My new "Nighttime trains" video, has just been released, check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUEfnB8b1pQ

Quiet Zones in Southern California (with quiet zone locations lists)

What is a “quiet zone” and why it’s a bad idea:

The FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) requires trains to blow their horns 4 times per crossing, with the sequence: long, long, short, long. With the rise of population in Orange County, California, passenger rail service has increased a lot in the past 20 years. With more trains comes more noise for people residing near the tracks. In the past 10 years the city halls received more and more complaints from people regarding train horns.  These disturbing sounds are upwards of 100 decibels!

In 2008 the FRA started allowing cities to apply for a "quiet zone” which means that trains only sound their whistles at crossings when it is an emergency. The FRA does require upgraded gates, bells, pedestrian gates, improved signs, etc. to authorize a quiet zone in order to keep things safe.  These things will alert pedestrians and cars adequately.  People mostly recognize a train by its whistle and many people don’t really pay much attention to just signs and bells.  With more and more people near a crossing using their phones with earbuds on and not paying any attention to what is around them, the train horn is needed to save their lives.  

Having quiet zones is also a bad idea for economic reasons. Tens of millions of dollars were spent upgrading quiet zones in 2008, which was right in the middle of a major recession! In my opinion those funds could certainly be spent in other ways.  Do I miss hearing my beloved sounds at train crossings?  Yes, of course, but I think the safety issue is the only thing that could bring the horns back! So spread the word, and SAY NO TO QUIET ZONE FEVER!

 Lists of crossings with quiet zones:

I have made a comprehensive list of crossings with and without quiet zones, along Amtrak and Metrolinks Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Antelope Valley and IEOC lines. This is very helpful for railfanners to see where they can hear train horns and where not. More routes and future updates coming soon. Please send corrections to skylerpfish@live.com

Riverside Line Quiet Zones

San Bernardino Line Quiet Zones

Orange County Lines Quiet Zones

Antelope Valley Line Quiet Zones

IEOC Line Quiet Zones

No Metrolink and limited Coaster service on Labor Day :(

Metrolink will not be operating on Monday September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Limited bus service will be offered on the Antelope Valley Line. Although Coaster will offer limited service with their weekend/holiday schedule. Amtrak will not be affected. I want to wish everyone a fun/safe holiday!