Southern T-REX rail line gets a test run

Rocky Mountain News

Published February 21, 2006 at midnight

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A light rail train worked its way slowly down the new tracks along Interstate 25 between the Southmoor and Dry Creek stations Monday as testing began on the system that will open in nine months.

It was the first time a light rail train car has ventured south of Hampden Avenue on the new T-REX line. It turned around at Dry Creek Road because the line south to the end at Lincoln Avenue isn't ready for testing.

The Regional Transportation District conducted the test of the southbound track to ensure it was built with sufficient room for the cars to make it through smoothly.

"They want to walk it down the track to make sure nothing unforeseen is in the way," said Chuck Kulig of RTD.

As the train car reached each station platform, the crew measured the distances from the curb to the train doors. Feelers attached to the sides of the train included metal rods so that workers could see if the train had less than 12 inches clearance from any pole or structure.

RTD plans to "walk" a train along the northbound track soon and then begin higher-speed testing of this segment after that.

The rail line, part of the $1.75 billion T-REX project that included light rail and highway expansion, is scheduled to open for passengers Nov. 17.

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