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Post by Gokhan on Nov 4, 2014 16:39:10 GMT -8
Well, first of all, we have known for a very long time that Metro would start some kind of testing in January 2015. This was actually even announced by Skanska in the last community meetings. So, I don't understand why this is a surprise. It would be a surprise if they didn't. expolinefan does have many contacts and from his e-mail exchanges with them I witnessed, some of them are eager to give info to him. You would be surprised how willing people are to share info on their work! He did find out about the Expo Phase 1 & 2 tie-in and the info that came regarding the testing starting on January 5 is real, regardless of whether Metro not liking it or not. Of course, no one expects to see a train on the 5th but we will start seeing some clearance testing on or around that date. He even has a list of the operators who will conduct the testing! He also does not need journalist credentials, as he isn't doing anything (regarding Expo) for money. This said, he had and still has many, and he met US presidents, foreign presidents, etc. on his journalism expeditions: www.tv-eic.tv/press.htmIf Metro has a problem with his info, all they have to do is to come forward and correct it. There is no need to scold expolinefan or anyone else here for lack of journalistic professionalism that was never expected to begin with. He merely reported some info that was provided, vetted, and authorized for release by Skanska and Expo.
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Post by tramfan on Nov 5, 2014 14:57:31 GMT -8
I'm not quite getting what our dear administrator means when he writes that he has to verify all the information that is published in this forum. I talked to an engineer of Skanska yesterday who was supervising the testing of the electrical circuits. He told me that they're working hard to finish everything so Metro can start testing in January. I'm living across from the the Expo line and have become friendly with the crews working on the line as they see me take some photos of the work they're doing before I go off to work. Am I not allowed to write about what they tell me because it has to be vetted by the administrator before it can appear on this forum? We're not writing about porn, sensitive security or politically subversive information, we're rail enthusiasts for heavens sake! A little levity about this whole issue seems to be needed.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 5, 2014 15:21:17 GMT -8
The information availability on the Gold Line Foothill extension and Expo Line is strikingly opposite. On one hand, Gold Line Foothill Authority showers public with info, and on the other hand, everything about Expo is kept secret.
If the Gold Line was starting testing, they would not only let people know in three to six months in advance but also throw several parties for it. With Expo Line, we only know when we actually see a train running on the tracks.
This morning I saw that they have put the horizontal-U-shaped jumper wires between the messenger and contact wires in Palms. I wouldn't be surprised if they started the clearance testing before the end of the year and then ran the first self-powered train in early January.
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Post by darrell on Nov 5, 2014 15:36:37 GMT -8
This seems a rather unnecessary conversation, Bart. We know Dwight is a passionate "Expo Line fan" and talks to a lot of insiders. We also know that information is subject to change, even if accurate when given. And much of the information that makes this an interesting site to visit comes via Dwight. I'd propose more of a "big tent" approach, or as Ken Alpern used to say, "When you circle the wagons (when the Indians are attacking in the old western movies), point the guns outward."
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 5, 2014 16:19:19 GMT -8
They have started the installation of the rain covers and the canopies at the 17th Street Station. They currently cover about half the platform.
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Post by culvercitylocke on Nov 6, 2014 12:26:24 GMT -8
Careful Josh metro requires press credentials if you use your eyes, how dare you disclose such sensitive information that is rightfully the property of a power hungry territorial anonymous bureaucrat!
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Post by Philip on Nov 6, 2014 14:13:14 GMT -8
Just got done biking through the Santa Monica segment of the line. Some observations:
--The Downtown Santa Monica station has poles for the future canopies and rain covers. Looks like every new station has these now.
--The area with the most work left seems to be from 11th street to 4th - sections that need concrete, others that are missing rail, etc.
--OCS poles are in place around 26th/Bergamot. Holders for the OCS poles are in place near and around 17th street station and are awaiting installation.
--Construction seemed to be in full force, with dozens of workers going strong throughout the route.
While I doubt we'll see the full completion of construction before the end of 2014, I think the line will still be in strong shape. Remember, it was only a little less than a year ago that rail installation began. Think how far we've come since then!
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Post by masonite on Nov 6, 2014 15:26:31 GMT -8
Just got done biking through the Santa Monica segment of the line. Some observations: --The Downtown Santa Monica station has poles for the future canopies and rain covers. Looks like every new station has these now. --The area with the most work left seems to be from 11th street to 4th - sections that need concrete, others that are missing rail, etc. --OCS poles are in place around 26th/Bergamot. Holders for the OCS poles are in place near and around 17th street station and are awaiting installation. --Construction seemed to be in full force, with dozens of workers going strong throughout the route. While I doubt we'll see the full completion of construction before the end of 2014, I think the line will still be in strong shape. Remember, it was only a little less than a year ago that rail installation began. Think how far we've come since then! Good summary. Thanks. Yes, this section of the line has always been behind the Palms/Cheviot Hills section which most people observe on this board. A lot of work needs to be done in Santa Monica no doubt.
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 6, 2014 23:23:33 GMT -8
Just got done biking through the Santa Monica segment of the line. Some observations: --The Downtown Santa Monica station has poles for the future canopies and rain covers. Looks like every new station has these now. --The area with the most work left seems to be from 11th street to 4th - sections that need concrete, others that are missing rail, etc. --OCS poles are in place around 26th/Bergamot. Holders for the OCS poles are in place near and around 17th street station and are awaiting installation. --Construction seemed to be in full force, with dozens of workers going strong throughout the route. While I doubt we'll see the full completion of construction before the end of 2014, I think the line will still be in strong shape. Remember, it was only a little less than a year ago that rail installation began. Think how far we've come since then! Good summary. Thanks. Yes, this section of the line has always been behind the Palms/Cheviot Hills section which most people observe on this board. A lot of work needs to be done in Santa Monica no doubt. Well Said. A thing to keep in mind is that there was a lot of utility relocation in Santa Monica along Colorado that had to take place before major construction could begin and that is part of the reason why the east end in Palms is much farther along. Because of the utility relocation along with the widening that had to occur in some areas, the actual excavation of the right of way along Colorado did not begin until August/September of 2013 when the K-Rails were finally placed in the Center of Colorado and they begun to dig out the area, install the communication duct-banks, install OCS footings, grade the area and finally start installing the rails. So to accomplish as much as they have done in a year along Colorado is pretty amazing in my opinion.
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f ron
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Post by f ron on Nov 7, 2014 8:29:15 GMT -8
I spoke with one of the crew members this morning who confirmed that the tie-in is still on for the weekend.
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 8, 2014 18:31:47 GMT -8
expolinefan has also obtained info that the Expo Phase 1 & 2 tie-in of OCS will take place in the weekends of November 7 and 14. Note that there is no USC football game in those weekends and Metro will try to do the tie-in between 2 - 5 am when the line is not operating. I am surprised that three hours is sufficient to do the work. I'm curious why Metro hasn't announced it yet When anything is announced by Metro, it represents reality. All members of the Metro team must agree and come to a group consensus. Random gossip gathered from some of the fanboys that mention supposed news here is something that you can't take to the bank, but a signal that things are getting closer. Opening date and certain event milestones are of interest to everyone here, but the only real information is going to come from Metro Media Releases and publication in the source. Some of you guys may take this the wrong way, but things move forward when the internal projects goals and milestones get met and the project is safe to move forward to the next step. I would guess this endless speculation of dates is fun, but this doesn't change reality and safety. I spoke with one of the crew members this morning who confirmed that the tie-in is still on for the weekend. Well it appears that the info that expolinefan got from Skanska and Expo was indeed correct. The OCS is now connected at Culver City Station and going across Venice Blvd. Here are some photos of the work from George Lumbreras on the Fans of Los Angeles Metro Rail Facebook Page: Expo Phase II work - Crews working on the Overhead Catenary System at Culver City Station
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 8, 2014 18:37:26 GMT -8
expolinefan has also obtained info that the Expo Phase 1 & 2 tie-in of OCS will take place in the weekends of November 7 and 14. Note that there is no USC football game in those weekends and Metro will try to do the tie-in between 2 - 5 am when the line is not operating. I am surprised that three hours is sufficient to do the work. expolinefan got this right. So, this could be considered as the opening of Phase 2 to nonrevenue service and train testing as of early this morning. Both the OCS pole and bumper are gone. This is before and after of the west end of the westbound platform where the tie-in happened: This is the east end of the westbound platform, showing a grounding wire: However, there is a good chance that they may put the bumper back on. I'll report that on Monday morning. Eastbound platform is next weekend.
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 8, 2014 19:14:05 GMT -8
expolinefan has also obtained info that the Expo Phase 1 & 2 tie-in of OCS will take place in the weekends of November 7 and 14. Note that there is no USC football game in those weekends and Metro will try to do the tie-in between 2 - 5 am when the line is not operating. I am surprised that three hours is sufficient to do the work. expolinefan got this right. So, this could be considered as the opening of Phase 2 to nonrevenue service and train testing as of early this morning. Both the OCS pole and bumper are gone. This is before and after of the west end of the westbound platform where the tie-in happened: This is the east end of the westbound platform, showing a grounding wire: However, there is a good chance that they may put the bumper back on. I'll report that on Monday morning. Eastbound platform is next weekend. The last photos that shows the grounding wire is the eastbound platform and it appears that it is also connected. So what will they be doing next weekend?
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 8, 2014 19:32:30 GMT -8
The last photos that shows the grounding wire is the eastbound platform and it appears that it is also connected. So what will they be doing next weekend? That's the east end of the westbound platform. Note the parking lot to the north of the tracks. Since Culver City Station is end of the line for Phase 1, both platforms are currently labeled eastbound, but that will change just before Phase 2 opens to revenue service.
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 8, 2014 22:52:04 GMT -8
The last photos that shows the grounding wire is the eastbound platform and it appears that it is also connected. So what will they be doing next weekend? That's the east end of the westbound platform. Note the parking lot to the north of the tracks. Since Culver City Station is end of the line for Phase 1, both platforms are currently labeled eastbound, but that will change just before Phase 2 opens to revenue service. My bad. I did not realize that picture was taken looking the other direction. I see the parking lot now. I also forgot the signage was labeled that way. Thanks for the clarification.
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Post by tramfan on Nov 9, 2014 20:02:39 GMT -8
expolinefan has also obtained info that the Expo Phase 1 & 2 tie-in of OCS will take place in the weekends of November 7 and 14. Note that there is no USC football game in those weekends and Metro will try to do the tie-in between 2 - 5 am when the line is not operating. I am surprised that three hours is sufficient to do the work. expolinefan got this right. So, this could be considered as the opening of Phase 2 to nonrevenue service and train testing as of early this morning. Both the OCS pole and bumper are gone. This is before and after of the west end of the westbound platform where the tie-in happened: This is the east end of the westbound platform, showing a grounding wire: However, there is a good chance that they may put the bumper back on. I'll report that on Monday morning. Eastbound platform is next weekend.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 10, 2014 9:45:45 GMT -8
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Post by rubbertoe on Nov 10, 2014 9:57:04 GMT -8
I'm surprised the tie in was done before the GLFE tie in. The GLFE is clearly ahead in terms of completion date. It has been about a week or so since I dropped by the Sierra Madre station.
RT
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 10, 2014 10:16:49 GMT -8
I'm surprised the tie in was done before the GLFE tie in. The GLFE is clearly ahead in terms of completion date. It has been about a week or so since I dropped by the Sierra Madre station. RT Oh, no, Expo Line Santa Monica extension is scheduled to be completed on July 10, 2015. Gold Line Foothill extension is scheduled to be completed on September 23, 2015, two and a half months (75 days) later after Expo. However, I think July 10 is overestimated and I expect Expo to be handed over to Metro sometime in June 2015. Santa Monica maintenance and storage facility should also be completed around that time. These dates (substantial completion by the contractor and handover to Metro) are also the dates of the prerevenue-operation start. Prerevenue operation takes at least five to six weeks before the line can open. Therefore, car availability will be the limiting factor in opening of these two lines. Expo will definitely open first, as it will be completed first and the ridership demand is many times higher than Gold.
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Post by gatewaygent on Nov 10, 2014 11:46:23 GMT -8
The pole in the middle of the tracks has been removed! Yay! I wish someone had shot video of that as it occurred and posted it. Oh well...no turning back now! To think, when both the Foothill Extension and Expo Phase II are handed over, it'll be an additional 17.6 new miles of double track (not including the maintenance campuses)!
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Post by bzcat on Nov 10, 2014 13:08:58 GMT -8
So there is rail connected from 7th Street Metro Center all the way to Barrington now?
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f ron
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Post by f ron on Nov 10, 2014 13:29:38 GMT -8
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 10, 2014 13:51:34 GMT -8
The pole in the middle of the tracks has been removed! Yay! I wish someone had shot video of that as it occurred and posted it. Oh well...no turning back now! It's lying by the tracks just east of Bagley Ave now.
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 10, 2014 14:33:18 GMT -8
He was referring to east of Barrington. Everything you mentioned is west of Barrington. I am not sure about the area between Barrington and Pico, but there is continuous track between Downtown LA and Pico/Sawtelle.
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f ron
Full Member
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Post by f ron on Nov 10, 2014 14:40:47 GMT -8
He was referring to east of Barrington. Everything you mentioned is west of Barrington. I am not sure about the area between Barrington and Pico, but there is continuous track between Downtown LA and Pico/Sawtelle. Oh! Pardon me! Sorry for the directional dyslexia and thanks for the heads up Joshua! I read 7th Street and my mind went to Santa Monica. The answer remains, no. East of Barrington looks like this: www.ipernity.com/doc/expo-line/35842771
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 10, 2014 20:00:30 GMT -8
For immediate release, only weeks after expolinefan reported it and I already documented it with pics:
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Nov 12, 2014 1:09:27 GMT -8
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Post by joshuanickel on Nov 12, 2014 9:34:09 GMT -8
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 12, 2014 12:22:07 GMT -8
The pole.
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Post by Gokhan on Nov 12, 2014 12:28:55 GMT -8
Note that the Phase 1 and 2 OCS wires are actually not connected to each other. There is no electric current flowing between them (as they are physically disconnected). Pantographs will simply mechanically switch from Phase 1 to Phase 2 wires. I wonder if, during the switch, the pantograph will temporarily lose power or connect to both the eastern and western TPSS's simultaneously.
Also, the Phase 2 side is still grounded. Clarington Avenue TPSS is still not connected to the OCS, despite being connected to LA DWP power.
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