GDT > New Train For Colorado
The ‘New Train for Colorado’ concept envisages a fleet of modern, fast, lightweight, highly efficient trains with superior on-board amenities connecting towns and cities all over the state.
Currently, the State of Colorado is advancing two transformative passenger rail project which are Mountain Rail, connecting Denver to Granby and eventually Steamboat Springs, and Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR), a new north-south corridor linking Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.
Choosing the right train design will impact reliability, accessibility, emissions, maintenance and ultimately operational costs across both corridors.
Locomotive-hauled or multiple unit trains?
There are two primary types of passenger trains, locomotive-hauled (LH) and multiple-unit (MU).
Locomotive-Hauled Trains
Locomotive-hauled (LH) trains feature a separate locomotive pulling unpowered passenger cars. Regional / commuter rail operations in the U.S. have traditionally used this type of train with anything from 2 to 12 cars. Locomotives by their very nature are ‘dead’ space on the train as they carry no fare-paying passengers and add a fixed length and weight to the consist, regardless of the number of cars being hauled. Generally locomotives are an efficient source of power for trains that have at least 8 cars, however they represent an increasing penalty in weight and therefore acceleration performance and energy consumption for shorter consists.
That said, locomotive hauled trains offer operational flexibility as individual cars and locomotives can be swapped independently in and out of consists in response to operational and maintenance requirements.
A typical regional / commuter rail locomotive hauled consist features a 4-axle locomotive, a number of regular passenger cars and a cab-car at the other end. This type of operation, also know as “push-pull”, allows the train to be operated from both ends and avoids the need for shunting or reforming the consist at the ends of the line.
Both new and used locomotives and hauled passenger cars are widely available in the U.S. including those that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 requirements, which limit the amount of particulate matter (PM), or black soot, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that can be emitted from the diesel engine.
Multiple Unit Trains
Self-propelled multiple unit trains (MUs) feature a number of cars coupled in a semi-permanent consist with the power and propulsion systems distributed throughout the train. Equipment is usually located underneath the the cars, in closets throughout the train and / or on the roof. An operator’s cab is provided at both ends so the train can be driven in both directions. Multiple unit trains can be specified with powered or unpowered intermediate cars to provide the optimal train length required which also means the amount of motors provided to move the train forward can be scaled appropriately.
The abbreviation ‘MU’ is often prefixed with a letter that identifies the train’s power source, for example ‘DMU’ stands for diesel multiple unit, ‘EMU’ means Electrical Multiple Unit and ‘BEMU’ signifies a battery electrical multiple unit. ‘Bi-mode’ or even ‘tri-mode’ trains are available which offer effortless switching between power sources, usually at speed. The ‘multiple’ in the title indicates the ability to quickly couple two or more units together to provide a longer train.
Multiple units are generally lighter, faster, and require less platform space than locomotive-hauled trains. Electric motors distributed throughout the train (rather than being consolidated under a single locomotive) offer advantages in the amount of propulsion provided can be increased according to the number of cars on the train. Acceleration is fast, smooth, and just like an ‘all-wheel drive’ road vehicle, adhesion on steep gradients in bad weather is improved. However multiple units have more limited availability in the U.S. They can also be more complex to service as typically the consist must be taken out of operation as a complete set when major issues arise.
Rolling Stock Comparison
| Train | Locomotive Hauled MotivePower MP36PH Bombardier Bi-Level Cars | Multiple Unit Stadler FLIRT 3-car Bi-Mode DMU / EMU. | |
| Configuration | Locomotive + 2 Cars | 3-car Multiple Unit | |
| Length | 238 ft | 213 ft | |
| Power | 3,600 hp | 1,400 hp (diesel mode) | |
| Weight | 553,000 lbs | 308,000 lbs | |
| Power / Weight Ratio | – | – | |
| Maximum Speed | 100 mph | 100 mph | |
| Acceleration | – | 2.3 ft/s^2 (diesel mode) | |
| Fuel Consumption | X | ||
| Availability in the U.S. | X | ||
| Reconfigurability / Speed of Repair | X | ||
| Platform Space Efficiency | X | ||
| Track Wear & Tear | X |
How will the trains be powered?
Multiple unit trains can be powered by a variety of different power sources. Click below for some examples.
What could the train interiors be like?
Trains operating on Colorado routes will typically be making inter-regional journeys of approximately 1 to 4 hours in length. The trains should be equipped with a variety of facilities to ensure comfort, convenience, and accessibility for passengers. Click below for examples of what could typically be found on board.
Platform Heights – A Key Accessibility Issue
A critical design consideration is platform height, which affects how easily passengers, including those using mobility devices, can board trains.
U.S. Rolling Stock Manufacturers
Currently three European manufacturers, Alstom, Siemens and Stadler, offer FRA certified and Buy America compliant trains for the North American market. Click below for more information on what they offer.
Could Colorado be a suitable location for a Pop Up Metro?
The Pop Up Metro concept, which not only includes the battery-powered, remanufactured London subway cars, but power systems, platforms and other elements needed to launch a rail service, has been demonstrated by the Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) at the Rockill Trolley Museum in Pennsylvania since 2021. The aim is to dramatically slash infrastructure costs and implementation times.
The downside is that, due to FRA rules, the trains cannot share rail alignments with freight trains at the same time. They either need dedicated tracks or an agreement with the host freight railroad for exclusive use – at least during passenger train operating hours. That said, the Tennessee Pass line or the Yampa Valley may be suitable locations for the Pop Up Metro concept.
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