Connecticut C-Bahn

The C-Bahn is a statewide rail service for Connecticut, composed of both new and currently existing services and segments of track. Rather than being primarily New York-oriented, the C-Bahn is designed to provide a comprehensive service centered around the needs and travel patterns of Connecticut. The network is composed of six lines and 88 stations, stretching from major terminals in Hartford and New Haven all through the state and even to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It runs in addition to and connects with Metro-North's New Haven Line, as well as Regional, Acela, Valley Flyer, and Vermonter services ran by Amtrak. --OPERATIONS:-- The C-Bahn is supported by two major yards/maintenance bases, as well as smaller layover yards elsewhere in the system. Major depots are located in New Haven and Hartford, with the system being split into two divisions based upon which lines are typically run out of each. Smaller facilities can be found in New London (on currently vacant land near the State Pier and Thomas Griffin Rd), Bridgeport (utilizing a small part of the existing Metro-North yard), and Springfield (where the existing station is used for overnight layovers). --LINES:-- Hartford Division: H1: Bridgeport/Windsor Locks - This line essentially serves as a replacement for and extension of the existing Waterbury Line. It runs along the Waterbury Branch's route between Bridgeport and Waterbury, before turning east north of Waterbury and crossing central Connecticut towards New Britain. From New Britain, it runs along the CTFastrak bus (now light rail!) right of way and merges with the Hartford Line trunk near Newington. After Hartford, the line runs towards Bloomfield along existing trackage, before running along a new right of way (largely near transmission lines with little land seizure needed) between North Bloomfield and Bradley Airport, terminating right at the parking garage. This line is fully electrified and the total trip time across the 78 mile, 20 station route is 1 hour and 46 minutes (slower because of a very windy right of way). H2: New London/Hartford - This line is a completely new service, connecting the Capitol Region with the cities and job centers of Eastern Connecticut. It runs along the current NECR freight route between New London and Willimantic, before switching over to what is currently in use as rail trail up to Vernon. From Vernon, it overlaps with the N1, running along CSOR trackage into Hartford Union Station, where it terminates. The H2 will run with three or four car diesel multiple units, as the largely rural and longer distance nature of the route does not necessitate high-capacity or high acceleration EMUs. H3: Old Saybrook/Springfield - This line serves local stops along both new and existing trackage, connecting the CT River Valley from Springfield down through Hartford, its suburbs, Middletown, and the Shoreline. Much of the route parallels the river, running along the existing Hartford Line between Springfield and Hartford Meadows before switching to the Valley Railroad, which would be rehabilitated and electrified. Due to the use of a tunnel through part of Downtown Hartford, the fact that the line runs through some sensitive ecosystems, and the high density of stops along part of the route, electrification was chosen to reduce pollution and improve travel times. The total trip time across the 68 mile, 19 station route is 1 hour and 27 minutes, comparable to driving.