All Aboard! Music City Star
The Music City Star is officially on the tracks and carrying paying customers! I have been hyping this up for awhile now, so there was no way I was going to miss riding the train on day one.
Here is my plan for the day:
Ride the half-mile from my house to the Donelson station
Board the 8:42 AM train to Lebanon
Arrive in Lebanon at 9:20 AM
Ride the quarter-mile from the Lebanon station to Cumberland University
Work for a few hours on campus
Ride my bike back to Donelson from Lebanon, approximate 75-90 minute ride
Clean up and DRIVE to Belle Meade for a meeting at 4:45 PM
Let me say first.....wow, what a really cool experience! Stay tuned for pictures coming soon.
So far my plan is working without any problems, but I might have to deal with some rain on my training ride back to Nashville. I got to the Donelson station with about five minutes to spare, bought my ticket from a terminal for $5, and then boarded the train with my Cannondale in tow. The conductor was very cooperative and helped explain what I needed to do with my ticket and where to place my bike.
The stops at each station go by quickly. There's no waiting around if nobody is there to board. The only thing slowing down each stop is if a lot of people depart or if many are boarding. Otherwise it's touch and go without lollygagging around. I was told they were about 15% above passenger expectations, and from the parkings lots at each station I'd say it was a very successful first day. Not only that but I saw a lot of people riding just riding purely for the experience.
I talked for a few minutes with the interim executive director and then at length with the conductor. The conductor, Lane DeVors, doubles as the engineer on other shifts, and on this day he started on train #155 at 5:00 AM in Lebanon. Lane said every television news station and newspaper were there to greet them in Lebanon with its first departure for the day towards Nashville. I'm told there's one other train in operation daily with a third train that could become operational in minutes if needed.
Lane was super excited to be doing his job. He explained to me how the train accelerates and deccelerates depending upon the terrain ahead. He knew exactly when we were going uphill and at what rates of speed at each spot. Lane explained it's very important for the engineer to know exactly where the train is in relationship to the surroundings of the community. It reminded me of how we as cyclists come to know every inch of the road we train and can memorize the smallest of obstacles along our path.
The train tops out at 59 mph at several spots along the route, and can speed up or slow down with ease. By no means is it a slow moving train! Inside the seating is comfortable and air conditioned. There's even an upstairs seating area that gives you a better view of the passing scenery. Since I train often along these same roadways it was interesting to see the area from this perspective. I knew where we were at all times and could quickly figure out our location anytime we came through a wooded area out into the open.
My plan right now is to ride the train again on Wednesday morning, but this time with a slight change.
Check out this plan on Wednesday:
Depart the Donelson station at 7:15 AM
Arrive in Mt. Juliet at 7:37 AM
Bike over to the coffee shop Taylor Made, one block from the station
Drink a soy mocha and eat breakfast at Taylor Made
Depart the Mt. Juliet station at 8:57 AM
Arrive in Lebanon at 9:20 AM
Bike over to campus and work
Depart Lebanon at 3:20 PM
Arrive in Donelson at 4:10 PM
Dude, you mean I can ride the train AND get my mocha?! I'm all over it!
Here is my plan for the day:
Ride the half-mile from my house to the Donelson station
Board the 8:42 AM train to Lebanon
Arrive in Lebanon at 9:20 AM
Ride the quarter-mile from the Lebanon station to Cumberland University
Work for a few hours on campus
Ride my bike back to Donelson from Lebanon, approximate 75-90 minute ride
Clean up and DRIVE to Belle Meade for a meeting at 4:45 PM
Let me say first.....wow, what a really cool experience! Stay tuned for pictures coming soon.
So far my plan is working without any problems, but I might have to deal with some rain on my training ride back to Nashville. I got to the Donelson station with about five minutes to spare, bought my ticket from a terminal for $5, and then boarded the train with my Cannondale in tow. The conductor was very cooperative and helped explain what I needed to do with my ticket and where to place my bike.
The stops at each station go by quickly. There's no waiting around if nobody is there to board. The only thing slowing down each stop is if a lot of people depart or if many are boarding. Otherwise it's touch and go without lollygagging around. I was told they were about 15% above passenger expectations, and from the parkings lots at each station I'd say it was a very successful first day. Not only that but I saw a lot of people riding just riding purely for the experience.
I talked for a few minutes with the interim executive director and then at length with the conductor. The conductor, Lane DeVors, doubles as the engineer on other shifts, and on this day he started on train #155 at 5:00 AM in Lebanon. Lane said every television news station and newspaper were there to greet them in Lebanon with its first departure for the day towards Nashville. I'm told there's one other train in operation daily with a third train that could become operational in minutes if needed.
Lane was super excited to be doing his job. He explained to me how the train accelerates and deccelerates depending upon the terrain ahead. He knew exactly when we were going uphill and at what rates of speed at each spot. Lane explained it's very important for the engineer to know exactly where the train is in relationship to the surroundings of the community. It reminded me of how we as cyclists come to know every inch of the road we train and can memorize the smallest of obstacles along our path.
The train tops out at 59 mph at several spots along the route, and can speed up or slow down with ease. By no means is it a slow moving train! Inside the seating is comfortable and air conditioned. There's even an upstairs seating area that gives you a better view of the passing scenery. Since I train often along these same roadways it was interesting to see the area from this perspective. I knew where we were at all times and could quickly figure out our location anytime we came through a wooded area out into the open.
My plan right now is to ride the train again on Wednesday morning, but this time with a slight change.
Check out this plan on Wednesday:
Depart the Donelson station at 7:15 AM
Arrive in Mt. Juliet at 7:37 AM
Bike over to the coffee shop Taylor Made, one block from the station
Drink a soy mocha and eat breakfast at Taylor Made
Depart the Mt. Juliet station at 8:57 AM
Arrive in Lebanon at 9:20 AM
Bike over to campus and work
Depart Lebanon at 3:20 PM
Arrive in Donelson at 4:10 PM
Dude, you mean I can ride the train AND get my mocha?! I'm all over it!
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 9/18/2006 11:23:00 AM
3 Comments:
Tim-
Thats a great post about the Music City Star. I am glad to hear people in Nashville are using this mode of transportation.
thanks!
Before I moved to TN, I used to be able to take Amtrak and my bike anywhere for 8-12 bucks. Didn't need a car to traverse states for a bike ride. I hope TN get's more railway action.
The Music City Star is awesome!!! I live 2 miles from The Lebanon Station . Every morning I ride my Mountain Bike to the Station and board the Train to Nashville. I usually go down town and act Homeless all day. I drink a few beers with all the Homeless people and sit by the fire under the bridge. At the end of the day I ride the Train back To Lebanon and my wife usually has dinner ready for me and the kids. Thanks Music City Star!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home