Engine that could
North Bay train takes trial run, but opening still unclear
“You look across America and rail service is coming back everywhere.” Fred Codoni, rail historian, on the new Sonoma-Marin train line
Fred Codoni, who knows a smooth ride when he feels one, was impressed by the lack of clatter as he zipped along Wednesday on the newest railroad in the Bay Area, a diesel-powered passenger train that is slated to become the first commuter service in the North Bay in nearly 60 years.
The soft launch of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system brought back memories for the railroad historian, who was invited on an hourlong “preview” ride between Petaluma and San Rafael — a trip that authorities hope will be popular with regular commuters beginning at a still unspecified date this summer.
“Marin County was full of railroads at one time,” said Codoni, who edits publications for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society. “You look across America and rail service is coming back everywhere. It’s about time. We can’t continue to drive ourselves into oblivion.”
The system, known as SMART, plans to make 34 trips every weekday between the Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa and downtown San Rafael starting before dawn and ending after dark along old Northwestern Pacific Railroad tracks.
But to the frustration of many locals, no firm date has been set for the start of service. That’s because the Federal Railroad Administration hasn’t yet ap-
proved the service’s $50 million safety feature known as Positive Train Control, which is designed to automatically stop trains if it senses a potential problem or collision.
SMART is the first new railroad in the country to incorporate the high-tech system, so regulators are doing an extensive review of 2,000 or so tests done over the past two years, said general manager Farhad Mansourian.
“When it comes to public safety, we don’t want to rush it,” he said. “We want to only open our doors when we feel it is absolutely safe. We feel we are there.”
The district has been planning train service since 2008, when voters approved the $450 million plan and a sales tax to fund it. Workers had to, among other things, improve 43 miles of track, build 24 bridges, and buy a Texas drawbridge so it could span the Petaluma River.
The 43-mile trip — including stops at 10 stations — will take 67 minutes. One-way fares will range from $3.50 to $11.50, depending on the distance, with half-off discounts for seniors, youths and passengers with disabilities. The trains, which will take Clipper cards, will be timed to connect with bus service in Marin and Sonoma counties.
Service will eventually be extended to cover 70 miles from Cloverdale to Larkspur and include an adjacent network of bicycle and pedestrian paths.
The system has been beset by delays, including an effort this year to stabilize landslideprone hillsides near the tracks. Other obstacles included the discovery last fall that the diesel engines in the railcars would need to be replaced, staffing shortages and issues with grade crossings and electrical circuits.
All of which has served to heighten public curiosity in the sleek green trains, which were shown off Wednesday to reporters and others and include a snack bar that will serve local wines and craft beer.
The train zipped along at 59 mph — the highest allowable without final approval. The cars will top out at 79 mph once full service begins. The scenery was stunning, with views of golden grasslands, lagoons, marshes, oak trees and mountains.
Questions remain about whether enough riders will board to make the system worthwhile and cost-effective. But Codoni said there were plenty of riders who used the Northwestern Pacific Railroad when it chugged along the same tracks in the first five decades of the last century.
“People say, ‘Look at BART, it didn’t do anything to relieve congestion.’ Well, it did so,” Codoni said. “It takes 500,000 commuters off the streets every day. What would congestion be like if it wasn’t there?”
While officials wait for approval, SMART will begin offering free preview rides to the public on Thursday. For more information, go to sonomamarintrain.org.