42-532: TEXRail is a hybrid rail line (i.e., a non-commuter rail service that operates on the national rail network) in Tarrant County , Texas that provides service between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport , with intermediate stations in North Richland Hills and Grapevine . It is operated by Trinity Metro (formerly Fort Worth Transportation Authority). The line
84-525: A bulldozer is used instead of a shovel to mark the first day of construction. In some groundbreaking ceremonies, the shovel and the bulldozer mark the first day of construction. In other places, this ceremony can be replaced by a "laying of the first stone" event. When used as an adjective, the term groundbreaking may mean being or making something that has never been done, seen, or made before; "stylistically innovative works". Groundbreaking ceremonies have been celebrated for centuries in an attempt to begin
126-619: A groundbreaking held at Grapevine's historic depot, the site of Grapevine-Main Street station. On January 4, 2019, less than 12 hours before service was scheduled to commence, the opening was suspended due to signal issues identified during an inspection by Federal Railroad Administration officials along the southern end of the line in Downtown Fort Worth. The new opening took place on January 10, 2019. Scott Mahaffey, Trinity Metro board chairman, has expressed interest in extending
168-462: A sod-turning ceremony , is a traditional ceremony in many cultures that celebrates the first day of construction for a building or other project. Such ceremonies are often attended by dignitaries such as politicians and businesspeople . The actual shovel used during the groundbreaking is often a special ceremonial shovel, sometimes colored gold, meant to be saved for subsequent display and may be engraved . In other groundbreaking ceremonies,
210-431: A "wall raising" in 1997 to draw attention to the start of their building project. Another developer from Santa Monica hosted a "bottoming out" party to mark the completion of their parking garage's lowest level. A Hollywood developer, TrizecHahn , practiced another unconventional ceremony. The company hosted a costly groundbreaking event for its $ 350-million Hollywood & Highland entertainment-retail project. The event
252-479: A 1-cent sales tax, of which 3 ⁄ 8 ¢ would authorize Grapevine to contract with Trinity Metro for rail service and another 1 ⁄ 8 ¢ for other transit improvements, like a downtown parking garage. This includes an expansion of the commuter rail system to link southwest Fort Worth to the north end of DFW International Airport. Trinity Metro's Board of Directors finalized their plans in October 2006 for
294-490: A different purpose. Today, the celebratory serves as a business activity for building interest in a new project/building. The ceremony generates positive press and regards those who are significant to the development and its overall scope. Usually, the project developer organizes groundbreaking ceremonies to attract clients and reflect positive impacts on the community, customers/clients, and employees. Often such ceremonies also incorporate speeches by people of influence, like
336-593: A joint venture, as well as approving the final design for the Iron Horse and Smithfield Road stations. On June 9, 2015, Trinity Metro ordered an initial eight 4-car articulated Stadler FLIRTs DMUs. The contract was valued at $ 106.7 million, with an option for up to 24 additional DMUs, and includes the supply of components for 10 years. This was Switzerland-based Stadler's first order in the US for any model outside its Stadler GTW product line, therefore making it subject to
378-539: A light rail system, but like commuter rail, they are typically powered by diesel engines over tracks which may be shared with freight trains (which typically only operate overnight, when passenger service has stopped). Unlike most commuter rail systems which only operate during the weekday peak travel periods, hybrid rail systems operate all-day, every day, but typically at longer headways than light rail. The following table lists entirely new light rail, streetcar, or hybrid rail systems under construction. Systems that are in
420-668: A new American light rail vehicle was a technical failure. After World War II, the Germans retained their streetcar (Straßenbahn) networks and evolved them into model light rail systems ( Stadtbahn ). The renaissance of light rail in the United States began in 1981, when the first truly second-generation light rail system was inaugurated in the United States, the San Diego Trolley in California, which adopted use of
462-653: A total of 53 operational light rail-type lines and systems (noting that some cities, such as Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle, have more than one light rail system) that offer regular year-round transit service in the United States: 26 modern light rail systems, 14 modern streetcar systems, and 13 heritage streetcar systems (including the San Francisco cable car system ). The first-generation legacy systems are typically vestigial elements of sprawling streetcar systems that were decommissioned from
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#1732787324203504-495: A trolley pole system of collecting current by American inventor Frank J. Sprague who installed the first successful electrified trolley system in Richmond, Virginia in 1888. They became popular because roads were then poorly surfaced, and before the invention of the internal combustion engine and the advent of motor-buses, they were the only practical means of public transport around cities. The streetcar systems constructed in
546-411: Is a mode of rail-based transport, usually urban in nature. When compared to heavy rail systems like commuter rail or rapid transit (subway), light rail systems are typically designed to carry fewer passengers and are capable of operating in mixed traffic ( street running ) or on routes that are not entirely grade-separated. Systems typically take one of four forms: the "first-generation" legacy systems,
588-747: The San Diego Trolley , which ushered in several systems that generally feature large multi-car trains that travel larger distances, and make fewer stops, on exclusive rights-of-way. These systems were inspired by the German Stadtbahn (English: city rail) systems. The modern streetcar era started in 2001 with the Portland Streetcar , which inspired several other systems that generally feature smaller single-car trains that travel on short routes, with frequent stops, in lanes that are shared with automobile traffic (street running). There are also some heritage streetcar lines, which operate in
630-604: The State Legislature . Following this legislative defeat, Trinity Metro began pursuing federal grant funds in order to build TEXRail. On March 5, 2014, it was announced that the TEXRail project would receive $ 50 million in federal grant funds from President Barack Obama 's 2015 New Starts Funding Budget. In April 2015, Trinity Metro approved a contract for pre-construction services, awarded to an Archer Western Contractors/Herzog Contracting Corp (Archer Western Herzog)
672-461: The Stockyards before turning northeast toward DFW International Airport. Preliminary plans call for nine new stations with eleven total, and could be contingent on other cities along the corridor joining the agency. A proposal to use private funding to construct both TEXRail and DART's Dallas County segment was considered, but this plan was abandoned after necessary legislation was not passed in
714-548: The "second-generation" modern light rail systems, streetcars, and hybrid rail systems (light rail with some commuter rail features). All of the systems use similar technologies, and some systems blur the lines between the different forms. The United States, with its 27 systems (as counted by the Light Rail Transit Association ), has a much larger number of "true" light rail systems (not including streetcar systems), by far, compared to any other country in
756-434: The 150th anniversary of the golden spike , which marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad . The vehicle used in the ceremony was nicknamed "Spike", which was emblazoned on the vehicle's front. In 2024, Trinity Metro held a contest to name the other seven TEXRail trains. Four additional FLIRT trainsets were ordered from Stadler in late 2024. Delivery is expected in 2027. Hybrid rail Light rail
798-473: The 1950s onward through approximately 1970 as automobile usage increased. These systems were spared that fate due to these systems having high ridership and typically some form of exclusive right of way. Many of these streetcar systems have been at least partly upgraded to more closely resemble the more modern second-generation light rail systems, while some continue to operate with few changes The second-generation of modern light rail systems began in 1981 with
840-507: The 19th and early 20th centuries typically only ran in single-car setups. Some rail lines experimented with multiple unit configurations, where streetcars were joined to make short trains, but this did not become common until later. When lines were built over longer distances (typically with a single track) before good roads were common, they were generally called interurban streetcars or radial railways in North America. Historically,
882-702: The Chisholm Trail Parkway. In 2020, $ 38.9 million was granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Transit Administration to extend the line to the medical district. Under the proposed expansion plan, construction would start in spring 2024 with completion by the fall of 2026, total cost is projected to be $ 167 million. Travel time from T&P Station to DFW International Airport is estimated to be approximately 55 minutes. There are 73 trips per day, with 30 minute headways between start of service at 3:20am to 9:00am for morning rush, 2:30pm to 7:00pm for afternoon rush, with 1-hour headways outside of
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#1732787324203924-558: The FTA, essentially green-lighting the project. In reaction to this, Trinity Metro said they planned to start preliminary construction in July 2016, on track for a planned opening date in December 2018. DFW Airport also said they would provide the $ 40 million to build the station at Terminal B, with an opening date in late 2018. Construction on the line officially started on August 24, 2016, with
966-628: The German Siemens-Duewag U2 light rail vehicle. (This was just three years after the first North American second-generation light rail system opened in the Canadian city of Edmonton , Alberta in 1978, and which used the same German Siemens-Duewag U2 vehicles as San Diego). Other North American cities, particularly on the West Coast, began planning their own light rail systems in the 1980s. As of March 2020 , there are
1008-468: The construction of a property, thanking those who made it possible. Though adapted to modern times, these ceremonies are still important to the construction industry. Early ceremonies were rooted in religion; by now, their basic foundations have still stood the test of time. Initially, some offerings/refreshments were also used to offer in such ceremonies, including; The first documented groundbreaking ceremony took place in ancient China , in 113 BC. Later,
1050-476: The diesel power module contains two 520-kilowatt (697 hp) (1400 hp Total) Deutz AG TCD 16.0 V8 engines that comply with US EPA Tier 4 emission standard, able to achieve a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h), however mainline track speed is limited to 70 mph. These units at 266 feet (81 m) long weigh in at 352,000 pounds (160 t) empty (443,000 pounds (201 t) full load). The contract to purchase eight trainsets, valued at about $ 100 million,
1092-648: The founder of the company, a celebrity , or a known politician/member of the community. The sole purpose of such speeches is to showcase how a company is working, growing, meeting its mission, and/or reflecting on its vision, the company's struggles, and future plans. To create a lasting impression of the company and the ceremony, some common supplies, including shovels, hardhats, etc., are given to participants/attendees. Nowadays, real estate companies are trying different approaches to their groundbreaking ceremonies to stand out among their competitors and draw media attention. A Los Angeles developer Lowe Enterprises , hosted
1134-452: The line south and adding two stations to serve the medical district and Texas Christian University at an estimated additional cost of $ 200 million. This extension could be completed by 2025, when all additional planned and proposed stations are added the line will be an additional 14 miles longer. City Councilman Jungus Jordan has said that he would like to see the line go even farther south to serve Tarleton State University 's new campus near
1176-413: The mid-19th century onwards, horse-drawn trams (or horsecars) were used in cities around the world. The St. Charles Avenue Line of New Orleans' streetcar system is the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world, beginning operation as a horse-drawn system in 1835. From the late 1880s onwards, electrically powered street railways became technically feasible following the invention of
1218-578: The new rail line will entice non-member cities along the line to join the transit agency in its quest to become a regional transit entity. Planned TEXRail stations led to agreements with Grapevine and North Richland Hills in 2006 and 2016, respectively, that allowed stations to be built within those cities. The route also passes through Haltom City , Hurst , and Colleyville , but these cities have not joined or signed interlocal agreements, preventing Trinity Metro from building stations in them. Grapevine citizens voted 8,058 to 2,898 on November 7, 2006 to levy
1260-504: The old and new systems. In the United States, most of the original first-generation streetcar systems were decommissioned from the 1950s onward through approximately 1970 as the usage of the automobile increased through government policy. Although a few traditional streetcar or trolley systems still exist to this day the term "light rail" has come to mean a different type of rail system. Modern light rail technology has primarily German origins, since an attempt by Boeing Vertol to introduce
1302-608: The other city in North America with a continuing first-generation streetcar system. Additionally, a seventh American city, Cleveland, maintained an interurban system (e.g. the Blue and Green Lines) equivalent to what is now "light rail", that opened before World War I , and which is still in operation to this day. When several of these cities upgraded to new technology (e.g. San Francisco, Newark, and Pittsburgh), they called it "light rail" to differentiate it from their existing streetcar systems since some continued to operate portions of both
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1344-599: The planning stages but not yet under construction (e.g. Glassboro–Camden Line , Interborough Express , and the Austin CapMetro Rail Project Connect system), are not listed; expansions of existing systems are also not listed here. Other transit in the United States: Groundbreaking Groundbreaking , also known as cutting , sod-cutting , turning the first sod , turf-cutting , or
1386-754: The rail gauge has had considerable variations, with a variety of gauges common in many early systems (e.g. the broad Pennsylvania trolley gauge , etc. used by New Orleans' streetcars and by the light rail systems in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). However, most modern second-generation light rail systems now operate on standard gauge rail. After World War II , six major cities in the United States (Boston, Newark, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco) continued to operate large first-generation streetcar systems, although most of them were later converted to modern light rail standards. Toronto in Canada marks
1428-641: The regulations of the Buy America Act . As such, one element of the contract is that the final assembly of the trains will take place in the US, at their plant in Salt Lake City. That same month, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave approval for the project to advance into the engineering phase that immediately precedes the start of construction. In June 2016, Trinity Metro received a Letter of No Prejudice from
1470-606: The rush hour time periods; all 100 series trains listed on the Trinity Metro TEXRail schedule do not complete full journeys from FTW to DFW or vice versa. The line is predominantly single tracked, with passing sidings installed to allow for 30-minute headways. Stations were opened on December 31, 2018: Trinity Metro provides TEXRail service using eight Stadler FLIRT self-propelled diesel multiple units (DMU), TEXRail 101-108, capable of seating 229 passengers and carrying up to 488 passengers. In TEXRail application,
1512-482: The same manner using vintage vehicles or historic vehicle replicas, which have been built before and after the modern streetcar movement. Hybrid rail systems, routes operating on the national rail network which do not operate with commuter rail characteristics, were introduced in 2004 with New Jersey's River Line. Hybrid rail systems operate vehicles which do not meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidelines, usually (but not always) small multiple unit railcars like
1554-511: The southwest-to-northeast expansion. Two commuter routes, a light rail route and a bus rapid transit route were under consideration. The Board's recommendation was a commuter rail line that runs in the southwest part of the city near Sycamore School Road, running near Texas Christian University and the Medical District on its way to the existing T&P Station and Fort Worth Central station . At that point it turns northwest toward
1596-419: The tradition of symbolically consecrating the project's location became a part of Hindu, Taoist, Shinto, Buddhist, and Feng Shui traditions. Historically, these are some notable events that were inaugurated by groundbreaking ceremonies. The reason for holding groundbreaking ceremonies in today's modern world has nothing or little to do with religion. Today, the western world exercises this old-age practice with
1638-420: The train, and allows it to be much quieter than traditional commuter rail. TEXRail vehicle amenities include USB ports equipped at every seat, work tables, lap trays, a quiet car, ADA compliant level boarding, overhead luggage racks, bike racks, and a restroom near the center of each train. In 2019, before its delivery to Fort Worth, Stadler used the eighth and final TEXRail vehicle in a ceremony commemorating
1680-515: The world (the next largest are Germany with 10 and Japan with 9). According to the American Public Transportation Association , of the roughly 30 cities with light rail systems in the United States, the light rail systems in six of them ( Boston , Los Angeles , Philadelphia , Portland (Oregon) , San Diego , and San Francisco ) achieve more than 30 million unlinked passenger transits per year . From
1722-512: Was awarded to Stadler in June 2015. The first set was delivered in October 2017, and four more sets had arrived by November 2018. Equipment testing and crew training started in March 2018. Each rail vehicle is configured with an operator cab at either end for bidirectional movement. At the center of the train is the power pack with two diesel engines, with a passageway to allow access to other parts of
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1764-530: Was opened for preview service on December 31, 2018 and started revenue service on January 10, 2019. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 714,800, or about 2,200 per weekday. The new line is worth $ 1 billion. It is considered a segment of the Cotton Belt Rail Line project, alongside the DART -operated Silver Line (currently under construction) to the east. Officials with Trinity Metro are hoping
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