Light Rail Scare in Denver Shows Difficult Coexistence with Freight Rail

According to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) website, the southwest Light Rail line in Littleton, Colorado, a Denver suburb, was the scene of a derailment of coal cars passing through the city. The Light Rail driver had to brake hard and the RTD reports they will need to remove damaged equipment, but no passengers were reported injured.

Service is suspended to the end of the line from the Oxford station north of the incident, and RTD has indicated that they cannot proceed with damage assessment and repair until the freight cars involved are removed from the RTD tracks. Buses will provide a "bus bridge" for commuters, who should check the main website for further information as the RTD works to best accommodate riders while recovery work is in progress. Commuters east of the southwest light rail might consider using the southeast rail instead.

The RTD's ambitious expansion plans were affected, as reported previously, by a commuter rail / freight accident in California which raised the specter of liability on the part of the railroads for passenger service running on their right-of-way, even if not operated by them. This incident brings the issue closer to home, and may further affect the ability to efficiently use existing right-of-way access. Southwest light rail lines run along numerous existing and active freight tracks. Selections of cars to be used on the northern expansion of the light rail system have already been affected by the perceived risks involved, as heavier equipment will be purchased and used on railroad right-of-ways.

The Littleton end of the southwest Light Rail line, consisting of C and D trains, is like the Nine Mile and Lincoln ends of the southeast section a feeder of suburban commuters into the city. Many commuters can drive to the Oxford station further north on the line to resume their rail commute into the city. Other passengers from the further stations will be bussed. The RTD appears anxious to use their light rail to feed more commuters into the system, providing increasing amounts of parking at the further out stations, both for commuting and for special events such as sports and holiday celebrations.

The RTD is in the process of acquiring land for expansion which can not fully use railroad right-of-ways, and each step forward creates a controversy as they use Colorado eminent domain laws which have created much animosity in the past. From a long-time landmark business to a popular tailgating location for Denver Broncos fans, the toes they are stepping on are numerous.

Conversations with Denver transit riders suggest that the biggest selling point of light rail transit in Denver is convenience, not necessity. With the air quality situation worsening to the point where Denver's "second chances" from the EPA are turning into fines and mandates, many of the city's residents don't yet seem to understand the importance of the RTD, especially the light rail. As coal trains and other freight rattle through the heart of the city past areas being developed into housing for urban professionals, the coexistence of city transit and environmental needs along with railroad rights and operations may become a point of contention in the future.

http://www.rtd-denver.com/