Alex wrote on Oct 3, 2007 11:14 PM:Light Rail is an urban planner's pipe dream and a drain on the community.

Josh wrote on Oct 3, 2007 11:57 PM:Let's invest in double tracked light rail perched above the center of the 5, like they did with BART. Put parking and a station at every exit. That way it's convenient to people's commuting habits, and anyone stuck in freeway traffic need only look up to see a better option.

Randy wrote on Oct 4, 2007 4:12 AM:Let me make a wild guess- the rust-like substance is...RUST!-

RjM wrote on Oct 4, 2007 5:12 AM:Isn't this basic Railroad 101? Were the specifications clear enough or did the rails did not meet specs?-

Howiek wrote on Oct 4, 2007 5:58 AM:Josh has got the right idea! Same thing for high-speed rail to the north--either for I5 or I15.-

Electrician wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:03 AM:Wire brush and grind all you want. The mil scale should not stop the rails from conducting electricity.-

Miranda wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:17 AM:For me the Sprinter will be a cool, shiny new toy for our North County community. Let's hope it gives proper economical returns for the cost of it. Just think, we'll be able to pop on the Sprinter from our own back yards end up in New York or Seattle if we care to. I can't wait for opening day.-

Gary wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:28 AM:Ahhh ... the great Iron Horse. Isn't this technology over 100 years old?-

Murdock wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:35 AM:Rumor has it that the Sprinter will travel at light speed. I have also heard that the Sprinter will reduce traffic congestion. Can anyone substantiate these crazy rumors?-

Jake wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:43 AM:It's the ongoing subsidy that will be interesting to watch. Unlike the necessity of a private enterprise there will be no need for the Sprinter to pay for itself.-

Morey wrote on Oct 4, 2007 6:54 AM:Figure a new transit coach costs about a quarter of a million. But for the sake of argument, let us say that a new bus costs $300,000. If the Sprinter has already cost $480,000,000, that means that would have bought 1,600 gleaming new buses. Of course, the District does not need that many buses. A quarter of that would have been too many. Does this begin to put the level of this folly into perspective? So many egos, so little time.-

Something else wrong ! wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:04 AM:Why doesn't NCTD talk to retired railroad peole ? Is this electrical system so very different ? Maybe it is the sending and receiving devices that are the problem, not the slight amount of mill rust. Rusty rails have always been there, and the trains of today have signaling devices. You should see the control rooms of Burlington/Northern/Santa Fe - they control the trains for hundreds of miles around them ! Didn't NCTD do any investigating ? Are we the guinnea pigs? What if these rails get "scrubbed" and the mill-rust builds up again - nobody will know it and we will have a real tragedy on our hands, just like crossing arms that do not work - we have already seen and reported problems !-

Concerned granny wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:20 AM:I am very concerned about the safety of the half dozen junior high kids I saw last week throwing their back packs over the fence and climbing over to cross the tracks between Knoll Road and Marcos Street. I stopped a San Marcos city worker and told him but he ignored me.-

Stan wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:22 AM: I've laid better rail systems in the coal mines.-

Oceanside Chris wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:33 AM:I knew the December 2007 was just a pipe dream. Get the scammers -- sorry, that's PLANNERS -- a railroad watch to set their time table. My tax dollar at work stopped by rust. Ironic?-

Same dudes who wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:21 AM:figured out this "Sprinter" was a good idea were probably educated by the same clowns who thought that the Escondido Arts' Center was a good idea for the taxpayers as well!

What? wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:23 AM:"Project manager Don Bullock said that the Sprinter's $480 million metal rails are a critical component in sending signals to railroad crossing equipment." The whole project cost $480 not just the rails.-

What? wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:25 AM:Imagine the sound a train makes. Boondoogle-Boondoogle-Boondoogle-taxwaste taxwaste Boondoogle-Boondoogle-Boondoogle. Sad part is I really like trains.-

Concerned-1 wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:42 AM:Once again a news story that only answers the "What." I wan't to know how the mill scale got there. If they grind it off, won't it come back again? And, what makes this rail system different than the very efficient BART, which by the way operates in much more severe weather extremes than the Sprinter.

Big Richard wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:45 AM:Well this sounds pretty scarey. What excactly is this device that is supposed to send this signal? If this is supposed to be for something as important as a crossing signal I would think that the signal must be hardwired with a redundant mechanical switch. I cannot fathom that something like this would be connected any differently.

So excited wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:00 AM:Can't wait. I can get up 2 hours earlier to ride it from Esco to my job in Oceanside. With all the stops and schedule 2 hours back home. This is great I just increased my commute time over 2 hours. This for millions of taxpayers dollars. Love mass transit!!

anon wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:07 AM:use cheap , what part of these dont they understand. I think its the do it right part

The Facts wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:42 AM:The Sprinter will not alleviate congestion. It will, however, increase the capacity of travel in the cooridor and give an option to those able to take advantage of it. In ten years it will be a critical element in our transportation system, along with the continued improvement of roads and freeways. The mill scale is found on new rail and once in service, the continued use will keep that and rust off.

knoll road wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:40 AM:If you are heading to Mission Road and you are on Knoll you must stop several feet before the intersection if you want to turn on to Mission. If you want to make the right turn on to Mission you can no longer turn on a red light. When school lets out kids cross the street through the entire green light. Basically, when school is letting out you can no longer make a turn on to Eastbound Mission Road unless you are the lucky one who guns-it just after the last kid has passed through the intersection. The real problem is that I don't see any for them to fix it.-

Tony wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:54 AM:An internet search of "mill scale" reveals that it occurs during the forming operation at the mill, while the metal is hot. The ingot is rolled back and forth between rollers that are adjusted to squeeze the metal each time is passes through until it is the proper size. Once the finished product arrives at the destination, "a simple wiping with a wet rag should remove the oil, dirt, and any loose mill scale" says the Hamilton Form website. Maybe NCTD skipped a step, eliminating the rag-wiping due to budget concerns.-

George wrote on Oct 4, 2007 12:14 PM:Yes, the Sprinter will reduce traffic congestion on highway 78 by about 69 cars per hour, as calculated in "Sprinter: A Solution Seeking A Problem" at http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/06/13/opinion/commentary/18_31_176_12_07.txt. By way of comparison, one freeway lane can handle 69 cars in about two minutes. This reduction in congestion will be miniscule at best and can't really be considered "relief".

Former North County Resident wrote on Oct 4, 2007 12:22 PM:North county residents were foolish to allow this taxpayer-robbing project to even begin. Now it's going to go way over budget and not meet ridership goals while having cost you taxpayers millions and millions. Congratulations.

tony wrote on Oct 4, 2007 12:31 PM:I live off of nordhal and mission. they installed new traffic lightsgoing south on nordhal. you cannot see the 2nd set of lights until you are half way into the intersection. when the train comes by the second set stays green while the first set is red. they need to get it togetger

Even more excited wrote on Oct 4, 2007 1:02 PM:We're paying for all this up in Ramona too and getting nothing for it. SANDAG mailed us a glossy brochure promising to widen route 67, then went back on their promise after we granted them their tax increase.

What? wrote on Oct 4, 2007 1:31 PM:Tony I think those lights are working fine. The first set is to stop traffic like normal and when the train comes. The second set is to get people off the tracks.

to: Randy wrote on Oct 4, 2007 2:11 PM:Thanks for your non-expert opinion, why don't you try google.com next time and learn something before shooting your mouth off, mill scale is not rust.

Mazz wrote on Oct 4, 2007 2:23 PM:There should be a Trolley on those tracks, not a train. There will be too many stops for a train, so it will be a waste of fuel.

Concerned-1 wrote on Oct 4, 2007 2:38 PM:Thanks Tony at 11:54. That simple bit of information would have been useful in the story.

Reardon wrote on Oct 4, 2007 3:38 PM:This tax-eater will give columnists fodder for the rest of my life! Richard Rider can make an entire career out of it! I intend to ride it just to see what coast the taxpayer half a billion dollars -- plus yearly subsidies that will make the Escondido Center for the Arts look like a bargain!

Ray wrote on Oct 4, 2007 5:24 PM:To the Ganny who tlod the city worker about the kids climbing over the fence and crossing the tracks. Why should they care? It's not their job to be Rail Police. Call the damm Sheriff's Department. What needs to happen is a kid needs to be hit by the train first than it will sink in, Don't climb the fence and cross the tracks. Why do you think the Rairoad book of Rules and Regulations is written in Blood? Stay off the Tracks!

FTM wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:39 PM:I'm crazy. I LOVE these trains. I like the Coaster, I love the Trolly. I think the Sprinter will be my favorite train. You guys are right, the trains don't always pay for themselves, but oh what a beutiful toy thay are for us big kids. I just love to ride them. This train will really put the eouropean feel into the Carlsbad - Oceanside area. (They use these extensivly in coastal towns in Euorpe). I want to thank all of you for paying for this train. I really love it. I Follow The Money and I know we have this train because stupid big kids like me just love them. Thanks.

Timothy C. wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:04 PM:So are they going to ad more deputys or police when this starts up. Who's going to control the criminal element, and safety issues?

Let keep building freeways, yeah right wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:43 PM:If the yahoos that give advice on this board had anything to do with the BART in SF it would have never gotten off the ground. Mass transit has a place in our world, thankfully it is progressive thinkers making it happen. I do not see rail projects anywhee in this country being dismantled, so for the most part they are probablly a good idea. Everyone said the trolley was a joke when it was started in SD, now it is an essential artery, well used, and a source of cheap labor downtown.

How bad is NCT reporting wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:48 PM:why didn't the writer take 15 seconds to describe what mill scale is, i found it in 10 seconds on google ---- "Mill scale is the black gunk that coats mild steel when you buy it (what you have is actually hot-rolled mild steel. Cold rolled mild is far rarer and more expensive to find, but does not have this black coating). " mill scale only forms under high tempearature, not sunlight heat

crashd wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:54 PM:Stop all the ... about cost and whatever. You can not have everything! You complain about the roads being too crowded, but are not willing to try anything to help. Yes, this is expensive. And yes, it will need to be subsidized. How long? Conservative estimates are at least 2.5 generations (about 50 years) to squeeze us out of our cars and onto public transit, assuming a convenient system. Is this convenient? Hardly, but it is a start. So, it will probably need longer subsidies. Give it a try, or shut up and sit in gridlock. As this catches on, it can be expanded. My real complaint is why they went with dual diesel polluting engines instead of spending a bit more and doing electric overheads. Look to Europe, they work over there, are conveneient (run frequently), and people use them. Give it a chance to catch on here! Oh, and all you people not used to dealing with active train tracks, stay off the rails and don't push the signals. The person you kill just may be yourself or your child! Trains always win in a collision.

Floyd wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:39 PM:Of course BART would have gotten off the ground, because the BART project team approached the voters honestly and asked for funding specifically earmarked for the BART project. We don't do things that way around here, which is why everybody is all lathered up.

mill scale wrote on Oct 5, 2007 5:30 AM:The Million dollar Scale waste!-

FTM wrote on Oct 5, 2007 7:18 AM:Timothy, Obviously you don't ride the Coaster or Trolly. Please tell us about all the "criminals" that are riding the Coaster and the Trolly. Can you at least give us ONE news story or an incident or ONE FACT of crime on the trains?-

FTM wrote on Oct 5, 2007 7:22 AM:Here are the VALID drawbacks to trains: COST, and TERRORISM. Most of the cost is in REAL ESTATE. Most of the terrorism is because it's just a rail that can be messed with. In every other way it's a very efficiant mode of travel. That's why so many other countries use them. I love my car, but the morning commute is a bit of a bore.-

Walt wrote on Oct 5, 2007 7:24 AM:Sad! Looks like Sprinter may rust away before it even starts! To; "Let keep building freeways-----". Do you think a project that has consumed most of transit's capital building funds for nearly 20 years and absorbed about 0.3% of regional trips is "an essential artery?" The trolley that brings essential workers to city core is a successful investment because of the special Border demographics. It was built before the TransNet/SANDAG management started, and still carries more than the the 20 years expansion that has taken place.-

NIMBY whiners wrote on Oct 5, 2007 7:38 AM:Gosh, what a surprise, non-educated, tunnel visioned citizens complaining about a project that is forward thinking and will eventually improve our daily way of life. You are the same type of people that griped and whined about about the San Diego Trolley and were positive that Petco Park wouldn't have any impact in revitalizing downtown San Diego. Oh, and let's not forget homes made of wood, cars and airplanes, none of which would have ever taken hold if you self-centered cry babies had your way.-

Clarence wrote on Oct 5, 2007 8:47 AM:I can't wait to ride the Sprinter! I do not think I will have to be very lucky to sit next to the guy who hasn't bathed in a week, but never mind that. It is the window etching and grafitti that will spark my interest. The people watching, too. The traffic on the freeway as it goes to and from Cal State. I tell you, I am beside myself with zeal over the prospect of getting to ride the thing.-

Bottom Line? wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:00 AM:So what is the bottom line? Half a billion dollars to transport how many low income workers and students to where. Ninety minutes from the coast to Escondido? What is the fare? How much of the cost of operation has to be subsidized by the taxpayers? How much will it reduce traffic on 78 and Mission? Looking at the blogs indicates that the majority of citizens think that the whole project is not justified. Down the tubes we go.-

Carter: wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:06 AM: If the train were up and running the rust on the tracks would not be there maybe. Things that set idle tend to rust readily. Sounds like a lot of excuses and a little bit of engineered delays by the front office maybe? Are we looking at another boondoggle here? Where does the money go if the thing does not finish on time? Did you feel that? It felt like that old SANDAG nudge onmy wallet?-

To: Nimby whiners wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:11 AM:You are the surprise. Or not a surprise at all. This was a NEWS story written by the North County Times, reporting problems that could potentially cost lives. Sorry that you find that comments made were by non-educated, tunnel-visioned citizens. There were a large number of very factual comments and scientific research that went into many of them. Every time I read a comment that refers t the "Nimby" phrase, I think of the typecasting of everyone that doesn't agree with the author, who reminds me of Archie Bunker !-

To "NIMBY Whiners" wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:23 AM:why don't you come up with a new term. you are the same tired writer who throws that out in every forum. You're arguments are weak, too...wood houses? cars? airplanes? what the heck are you talking about? and FYI - I like the idea of the train. I'm just not convinced this one will ever deliver the ROI - not in my lifetime anyway.

Oceanside Chris wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:41 AM:Mill scale? What about our tax payer scale -- it is out of control. The $PLINTER will never launch on time ... the project won't be done until spring .... 2009. The half-billion dollar choo-choo burning bricks of money. For the price of the $PLINTER, the CRY-CITIES hospital could have been done. Both operators have eyes on our pockets they think that are lined with gold.

O'side Res wrote on Oct 5, 2007 11:33 AM:When I was a kid the first thing you did when you put your electric train together was to rub steel wool over the track to insure conductivity. Any of the the NCTD have a Lionel train as a kid?

Jimmy the III wrote on Oct 5, 2007 11:47 AM:Years ago the folks on the the only advisory committee to NCTD said they wanted the Sprinter transit stop at the Vons-longs location to help facilitate people getting on and off and do shopping. NCTD officials said no and placed it next to no where on Crouch st. When asked by the Oceanside Blvd Visioning group consultant to the recent Public Workshop what change should be done on the sprinter line the number one change unaniomously was demanded guess what? the closure of the Crouch st location and relocation to the Von-Longs shopping center. NCTD never listens!!!!! The Public wanted changes from the ugly fencing they are putting up, NCTD won't listen. The public wants more sensativity to the environment NCTD didn't listen now they have to pay huge fines. The public wanted bathrooms at the sprinter stops and NCTD won't listen and folks will relieve themselves and pollute the Loma Alta Creek and local homes and businesses. NCTD doesn't care!!!!!! The Oceanside Blvd Visioning Committee has tried to reach out and develop a planand NCTD plows ahead like they are a world unto themselves and ignores most everything and doesn't participate in the process. Every City along the route has had to sue NCTD. Will Oceanside have to be the next to sue NCTD to do the right thing? There is more wrong with this rail system than this "mill scale" and it starts at the top the NCTD and trikles down. It is time for a house cleaning at NCTD today, this rail project was to cost only $200,000 originally it will end up costing a Billion dollars robbing the SANDAG transnet funds that the rest of the county needed...mark these words.

Notice wrote on Oct 5, 2007 5:59 PM:Most of the Sprinter stops aren't even nearby parking areas only low income housing. They aren't even near shopping centers. Don't the people planning these go to Europe to see how public transportation should run? Geez. Can't wait to try to find a parking lot to park my car, then take the sprinter to another location that isn't near anything.

Robert wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:03 PM:So to use the 1870s designed railroad track signals for antenna lead in 2007 this "mill scale" just suddenly swoops in from planet Zoron or what? Quick--outlaw the use of dog chains, spark plugs that can mis-fire, and make it illegal to snow or rain on these antique unshielded signals that the FCC would outlaw but the FCC has NEVER tested them.

Someone Else wrote on Oct 6, 2007 5:07 PM:Residents should be wary of an early opening. I've seen early openings from both sides and regardless of the line - they leave lasting problems with the users of the system.

For the concern Granny wrote on Oct 6, 2007 9:22 PM:Concerned granny wrote on Oct 4, 2007 7:20 AM: " I am very concerned about the safety of the half dozen junior high kids I saw last week throwing their back packs over the fence and climbing over to cross the tracks between Knoll Road and Marcos Street. I stopped a San Marcos city worker and told him but he ignored me.- " If you are that concerned please contact NCTD ask for Stefan Marks or Kurt Lursen at 760-966-6500. let them know about the kids. Make NCTD go back and reinforce the issue at the Middle and Elementary school Make NCTD get off their butts and make them listen. NCTD Office hours are from 9-5.

Vista Granny wrote on Oct 7, 2007 8:05 AM:90 minutes from Escondido to Oceanside -- that's the far side of Oceanside, you know, by the ocean! Not really that bad. I'm pretty sure there have been times when it took longer than that to drive the freeway. But that's not the point. 90 minutes to read the newspaper or a book, 90 minutes to work a puzzle, or talk with a friend. 90 minutes to relax. That's a great part of public transit that naysayers don't understand. As for those "smelly people" and criminals, the low income housing and fences. They're just comments from ignorant snobs.

Richard R. wrote on Oct 7, 2007 12:50 PM:For granny and others who want to spend a good portion of their lives on public transit, what's wrong with express buses? The one from Escondido to Oceanside makes the run NOW in (I understand from reading others) about 70 minutes. Granny can fulfill her reading habit by sitting an extra 20 minutes on the bus bench. The important thing to understand is that buses cost a TINY fraction of the Sprinter. Furthermore, buses are far more flexible as to traveling to where people actually want to go. And buses have better safety as the driver is in the same compartment as the passengers.

Hazel wrote on Oct 7, 2007 1:19 PM:Hurray for NCTD! In spite of all the whiners, nimbies, snobs, curmudgeons, libertarians, and idiots, some of us understand there will *always* be a few glitches when building something new. The only things worth building are difficult to build. Keep it up!

Al wrote on Oct 7, 2007 10:21 PM:Not a one person on this list believes roads also cost money. Transportation is a SYSTEM. In America, it's a very out-of-balance system. We rely on cars and we live and die by the subsidy to the car and the plane, but those of you who complain about the train ignore the mega-billions spent on your God-given, I mean Government-given hoity toity preferred modes.

To Richard R. wrote on Oct 8, 2007 9:34 AM:Express buses? I don't ride any buses. Buses get caught in the same traffic jams cars do. Buses wait at traffic lights, buses take longer than trains. Actually, excuses aside, I just don't care for buses. From Vista to Oceanside Transit Center today takes nearly one hour. The Sprinter is more direct -- and doesn't add to the freeway traffic. Maybe I won't like the Sprnter, who knows? It's not here yet. But it does sound pretty good to me. BTW, I do own a late model automobile. I just prefer the Coasater to the week day freeway traffic. And, to those of you who complain about subsidizing public transportation, doe you really thing "free" ways are free? Millions of tax payer dollars go into subsidizing your driving on streets and highways, and on goods delivered by truck.-

Polar Bear wrote on Oct 26, 2007 5:22 PM:Just use the freaking road and the rust will go away magically by itself.

Ted wrote on Dec 10, 2007 11:19 AM:I wonder if a coaster starts at each end each morning and passes somewhere? When will a scedule be published?