Route Suggestion: San Diego Coaster

Coaster is the commuter rail that operates between Oceanside and San Diego Santa Fe Depot in Southern California. This commuter rail is 41 miles (66 km) in length and serves 8 stations throughout San Diego County. The route parallels the pacific ocean, and has two yards. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains also operate on this part of the line, as this is the final stretch of track between Oceanside and San Diego. BNSF freight trains also operate on this route at night. One of the yards is the Stuart Mesa yard, and is the Central Maintenance Facility for Coaster, 4 miles to the north of Oceanside. Metrolink also uses Stuart Mesa to store trains, and BNSF works this yard as part of its run. The second yard along this route is the San Diego Yard, which is located about 1.5 miles south of the Santa Fe Depot, where BNSF also performs yard work, and where passenger trains are stored overnight.
Number of Services (Total Mon-Fri):
Coaster: 32
Amtrak: 20
BNSF: 2-4 (depending on the night)
Stations: Oceanside, Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad Poinsettia, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, Old Town (San Diego), San Diego (Santa Fe Depot)
*Amtrak only stops at Solana Beach, Old Town, and San Diego
Rolling Stock (Coaster):
SC-44

Bombardier Bi-Level Coach

Bombardier Bi-Level CabCar


Rolling Stock (Amtrak):
SC-44

Surfliner Coach (Business Class, Cafe, Coach Class)

CDTX CabCar

 

Coaster also still uses 2 F59phi’s until additional chargers enter service in 2023

 

A BNSF GP60 and either an ET44C4, C44-9W/AC44C4M, SD70ACe/SD70ACeP4, or ES44AC/DC/C4 would be perfect for freight services. The night time freight operations would be interesting.

 

This is high on my list of wants, and as stated would be a great mix of commuter, express and freight services. Really hope that DTG can sort the licenses and get this built.

+1 from me.

 

I too would buy this route.

 

Did I read San Diego? When can I pre-order?

 

It's a yes from me.

 

All they need is an NCTD (Coaster) license since they own the trackage on that stretch of the line.

 

Yet, sadly TSC shows they couldn't in the past. So we'll see if this will ever come to life.

At least Amtrak and BNSF play ball.

 

If licencing is an issue. Maybe debranded Coaster trains could be doable? Maybe have DTG branded trains instead?

 

Dovetail I believe stated in the past they will not do unbranded Trains for TSW2, unlike TSC.

 

The Seattle Sounder commuter line 1 could be another good route. Perhaps at 84 miles too long to so it fully, but the southern section between Seattle and Lakewood, would get some BNSF freight, Amtrak Coast Starlight and Cascades.