|
Post by erict on Jul 20, 2011 6:06:03 GMT -8
They look fantastic to me, they serve their purpose perfectly, adding a look and style to the stations. Imagine how simple the stations would be without the waves.
|
|
|
Post by jamesinclair on Jul 20, 2011 13:29:23 GMT -8
They look fantastic to me, they serve their purpose perfectly, adding a look and style to the stations. Imagine how simple the stations would be without the waves. The waves arent the problem...its that the waves are full of holes, making them useless!
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 20, 2011 14:05:51 GMT -8
They look fantastic to me, they serve their purpose perfectly, adding a look and style to the stations. Imagine how simple the stations would be without the waves. The waves arent the problem...its that the waves are full of holes, making them useless! The waves don't actually have holes. There is a semitransparent UV/IR-block film layer on top.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 21, 2011 14:11:18 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by jdrcrasher on Jul 21, 2011 15:59:14 GMT -8
Thanks for the update Gokhan! I can't believe we're only 4 months away from the opening of LA's first rail to the westside in decades!
|
|
|
Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 21, 2011 16:24:41 GMT -8
Gokhan - when will the Farmdale station be completed? I cannot believe that Farmdale will be substantially completed by looking at those pictures. Otherwise, everything else is great!
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 21, 2011 16:46:56 GMT -8
Gokhan - when will the Farmdale station be completed? I cannot believe that Farmdale will be substantially completed by looking at those pictures. Otherwise, everything else is great! Farmdale Station, Culver City Station, and the storage facility aren't part of this contractor's (FFP's) contract. Culver City Station is being built by Balfour Beatty and is expected to open in March. Farmdale Station construction has currently stopped because they couldn't negotiate the contract with Balfour Beatty. Also, the canopies etc. haven't been made yet. The line can open without it but there is a six-month deadline according to the CPUC settlement with LAUSD. So, it would have to finish by May. The storage facility is being built by Metro. They may store the trains elsewhere until it's completed. La Cienega Parking Structure should also complete in October or so.
|
|
|
Post by bzcat on Jul 21, 2011 17:02:00 GMT -8
Fantastic news! I can't wait to ride this bad puppy to Downtown ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png)
|
|
|
Post by bluelineshawn on Jul 21, 2011 17:52:08 GMT -8
The photo update is much appreciated! I haven't driven the line in a couple of months now. Also thanks for the detail on the transparent panels. Like others I had missed this information.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 21, 2011 17:53:46 GMT -8
According to the latest testing update just issued, tomorrow Metro and the contractor will test the train control systems and next Thursday and Friday they will test the gates. If everything goes well, starting on Monday August 1, Metro should be able to their tests on their own, and once they are done, they can do the five-week prerevenue (regular service but no passengers) and then open the line.
|
|
|
Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 21, 2011 20:25:30 GMT -8
Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here?
To me, it sounds like the Farmdale station can be a sticky issue. Gokhan - you said the agreement between the CPUC and LAUSD is that the Expo Line can operate without the Farmdale station for 6 months. But you also said there is a dispute or renegotation with the contractor for Farmdale station.
What if this is not resolved? Will Metro really open before they are aware that the Farmdale station can be ready within 6 months of opening? What if the Farmdale station is not ready after 6 months of opening.....does that mean the Expo Line has to stop running? It sounds to me we're in a catch-22 with the Farmdale station before we can even be concrete that the Expo Line will open.
Right?
|
|
|
Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jul 21, 2011 21:25:38 GMT -8
This is shaping up to be a mighty fine railroad. The attention to detail is beginning to show, with the great landscaping, the station lighting is probably going to be the best in Metro Rail, plenty of bike racks, there's factoid tiles in the platform floor with info about the ROW history, and let's not forget about the bicycle lane. LA will remember one of its finest jewels, and my favorite hangout spot, Exposition Park too!
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 21, 2011 21:56:03 GMT -8
Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? To me, it sounds like the Farmdale station can be a sticky issue. Gokhan - you said the agreement between the CPUC and LAUSD is that the Expo Line can operate without the Farmdale station for 6 months. But you also said there is a dispute or renegotation with the contractor for Farmdale station. What if this is not resolved? Will Metro really open before they are aware that the Farmdale station can be ready within 6 months of opening? What if the Farmdale station is not ready after 6 months of opening.....does that mean the Expo Line has to stop running? It sounds to me we're in a catch-22 with the Farmdale station before we can even be concrete that the Expo Line will open. Right? They only recently ordered the canopies and they won't be shipped for another few months. Expo is taking advantage of this dead time to negotiate with Balfour Beatty on a better price. I think it would only take about three months to build the canopies, signs, lights, etc. They also need to build the pedestrian plaza and tear down the motel. All can be done in three or four months easily. So, they've got plenty of time. Remember that they built the platforms in a matter of weeks as opposed to many months with other stations. The strict timeframe will be part of the contract and there will be huge penalties if the work cannot be finished well ahead of the May 2011 deadline. Therefore, I don't expect Farmdale to be an issue. It will probably open in March along with Culver City.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 21, 2011 22:04:30 GMT -8
This is shaping up to be a mighty fine railroad. The attention to detail is beginning to show, with the great landscaping, the station lighting is probably going to be the best in Metro Rail, plenty of bike racks, there's factoid tiles in the platform floor with info about the ROW history, and let's not forget about the bicycle lane. LA will remember one of its finest jewels, and my favorite hangout spot, Exposition Park too! Definitely! I think the Expo Line will be the landmark rail line of Los Angeles. What is a greater attraction in Los Angeles than the Westside and Santa Monica? Expo Line will serve these biggest LA attractions as a visible, above-ground rail line decorated with landscaping and ribboned with a bike and pedestrian path. ![](http://physics.usc.edu/Undergraduate/temporary/bruce.gif)
|
|
|
Post by transitfan on Jul 22, 2011 6:01:49 GMT -8
Yay! If they stay on schedule (and that cna be a pretty big if), I should be able to ride the entire line when I come out to L. A. in late April for the Motor Bus Society event ;D
|
|
|
Post by rubbertoe on Jul 22, 2011 7:29:12 GMT -8
Gokhan, Again, thanks for taking the time to document the current state of the line. Amazing pictures. I have to say, and others have mentioned this also, that the translucent panels on the sides of the elevated sections by the platforms are positively genius. The only worry that I have there is graffiti. With so much wide open clear see-thru area, any scrawled graffiti will draw your eye to it immediately.
From a riders point of view, you have an unencumbered view of the surrounding area. This will help in identifying your stop should you be looking out the window, no need to look at the platform to see what stop it is if you are listening to your iPod and if there were a 10' high concrete wall blocking your view.
From a surrounding area point of view, having those panels be see-thru makes the aerial stations much less of a "monolithic eyesore" than if those were concrete walls. Also, neighbors will be able to see the trains coming and going, and that will make the line seem to be more a part of the community. While an underground segment and stations in other areas could probably be somewhat faster, I really appreciate having the line and stations actually visible from the surrounding area. NIMBY's be Damned !!!
Any word on line running times yet? I know this has been discussed before but now that they are running trains the entire length with the gates and everything else operating, maybe there is a better estimate?
RT
|
|
|
Post by metrocenter on Jul 22, 2011 7:38:55 GMT -8
Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? To me, it sounds like the Farmdale station can be a sticky issue. Gokhan - you said the agreement between the CPUC and LAUSD is that the Expo Line can operate without the Farmdale station for 6 months. But you also said there is a dispute or renegotation with the contractor for Farmdale station. What if this is not resolved? Will Metro really open before they are aware that the Farmdale station can be ready within 6 months of opening? What if the Farmdale station is not ready after 6 months of opening.....does that mean the Expo Line has to stop running? It sounds to me we're in a catch-22 with the Farmdale station before we can even be concrete that the Expo Line will open. Right? They only recently ordered the canopies and they won't be shipped for another few months. Expo is taking advantage of this dead time to negotiate with Balfour Beatty on a better price. This is how Metro and the Authorities get themselves into trouble. First they get into situations with firm deadlines or other constraints, and then they try to negotiate a contract. See the Monrovia and CC situations. From a negotiating perspective: Balfour doesn't HAVE to get this contract, it could walk away with contract talks stalled. IOW it will survive if talks fall apart. But Expo legally HAS to get the project done, or it will have major hell to pay. And at this point, Balfour Beatty is really the only game in town. So really, all of the time pressure is on Expo to get this contract finalized. And the longer negotiations take, the more leverage Balfour Beatty will have. Project management involves managing not just costs, but risk. Hopefully they're finalizing a deal right now, and will eliminate the associated risk. (Metro and the Authorities...that would make a good name for a garage band!)
|
|
|
Post by metrocenter on Jul 22, 2011 7:41:17 GMT -8
BTW thanks for the pics Gokhan. The rain/sun shields are atrocious. But oh well, it is what it is.
|
|
|
Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 22, 2011 7:50:15 GMT -8
BTW thanks for the pics Gokhan. The rain/sun shields are atrocious. But oh well, it is what it is. It's not "atrocious". There are way other things in LA that are "atrocious" than this. We're getting nitpicky on this project....yes, maybe 5% of it sucks, but enjoy the 95% and be happy with it. It seems like the Internet is just for complaining nowadays...........
|
|
|
Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 22, 2011 7:51:31 GMT -8
BTW thanks for the pics Gokhan. The rain/sun shields are atrocious. But oh well, it is what it is. If you think that is "atrocious"..then what you do think about the center platforms on the I-110? Yes, nothing can ever be built to satisfy EVERBODY's expectations. But in general, it stands out and does look cool. Relax about the sun/shields. It's like the Internet is just for complaining nowadays.......
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 22, 2011 8:33:20 GMT -8
Note that the panels under the shields aren't installed yet. For a completed shield, see the picture I took of the TVMs at the east Chrenshaw platform.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 22, 2011 8:42:47 GMT -8
It's like the Internet is just for complaining nowadays....... Isn't this self-contradictory? Because this statement is also a complaint itself. LOL
|
|
|
Post by rajacobs on Jul 22, 2011 13:30:23 GMT -8
Ahhh, my favorite subject (not really), sun shields. At least the galvanized oven trays will keep the rain off, but I sure could have imagined a more functional and aesthetic approach.
Every time I slide into one of the Expo Line stations I'll wonder why Expo's designers couldn't have just duplicated the good work done in station design on the Gold Line--like South Pasadena.
...Well at least the train is finally nearing completion.
|
|
|
Post by jamesinclair on Jul 22, 2011 14:03:25 GMT -8
If metro really cared about their customers, as soon as the contractor handed things over, they would run tests 24/7 to cut the 3 month period down to 1 month and have the line open by September 15.
|
|
|
Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 22, 2011 14:09:10 GMT -8
If metro really cared about their customers, as soon as the contractor handed things over, they would run tests 24/7 to cut the 3 month period down to 1 month and have the line open by September 15. Good gawd....relax. What about safety? You just get handed this brand new rail line from a contractor and you're saying "forget the testing, just do the mandatory testing and open up the sucker". It's not as simple as day 1 the rail line is ready to open next week, but let's do 5 weeks of testing NOW. As others have pointed out, some station amenities are still needed. And now Metro is doing the testing. It's not about "caring", its about being safe and doing the regulatory requirements.
|
|
|
Post by davebowman on Jul 22, 2011 15:18:35 GMT -8
Just got back into my office here at USC after taking a break and walking over to Expo Blvd, and lo and behold there were trains parked on both tracks right in front of the Museum of Natural History, just east of Watt Way. A security guy was stationed at the east end of the trains, and a couple cars were parked in front of them at the west end. Unfortunately I did not see them in motion, but it was great to see them on the tracks. Did anyone happen to catch them in action today? For all of you trainspotters, I believe the car numbers on the train on the north-side tracks were 235, 244, and 234.
|
|
|
Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jul 22, 2011 15:44:21 GMT -8
Note that the panels under the shields aren't installed yet. For a completed shield, see the picture I took of the TVMs at the east Chrenshaw platform. The Pico Station north entrance now has one of these rain/sun canopies too-- that is completed and operational with solid light panels on the underside. Not bad at all, in fact, it beats the majority of the rest of Metro Rail's canopies.
|
|
|
Post by jamesinclair on Jul 22, 2011 17:13:17 GMT -8
Good gawd....relax. What about safety? You just get handed this brand new rail line from a contractor and you're saying "forget the testing, just do the mandatory testing and open up the sucker". It's not as simple as day 1 the rail line is ready to open next week, but let's do 5 weeks of testing NOW. As others have pointed out, some station amenities are still needed. And now Metro is doing the testing. It's not about "caring", its about being safe and doing the regulatory requirements. Um, I dont think you understood. Its less about "months" then it is about "hours" and "runs" So if you test for 6 hours a day, it takes 3 months. If you test 18 hours a day....it should take 1 month. BTW, how much testing was done after the 405 bridge demolition construction wrapped up last weekend? 3 months? 3 weeks? Oh right. None.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 22, 2011 17:23:32 GMT -8
a couple cars were parked in front of them at the west end. Actually it was two full three-car trains! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) ![](http://physics.usc.edu/Undergraduate/temporary/bruce.gif)
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Jul 22, 2011 17:38:07 GMT -8
Guys, please let's stop comparing railroads to highways. It's like comparing your television set to the television stand. Railroads are a complicated mechanical and electrical system as opposed to a paved surface. Train testing is not only absolutely crucial but very nontrivial. As far as the travel times are concerned, we won't know until at least about a month from now, when they can actually run the trains at maximum speeds. Right now Metro is helping contractor's train testing and after next week's testing of the crossing gates, I believe they will take over and that's when the trains will be able to run on their own -- without flagsmen. Here is the list I believe I posted previously, showing how complicated and involved train testing is. Note that prior to performing these tests, permits and plans need to be submitted and after the tests, certifications need to be obtained, in addition to performing each test. -------- - Train braking tests: Can a car/train stop in the distance required in every possible situation?
- Signals tests: Do the signals operate as expected in every possible situation? What happens when one car/train is close behind another?
- Infrastructure power tests: Do the substations supply the voltage and current as expected in every situation? What happens when the maximum number of cars is on the line and accelerating?
- Car power tests: Will a car/train still operate properly when the
voltage falls to its minimum?
- Speed tests: Do the cars/trains ride properly at maximum speed? Is there always a good power contact at maximum speed? Can a car/train operate through a switch at maximum (switch) speed without problems?
- Clearance tests: Do cars/trains clear fixed objects properly (above and below as well as on the sides)? Can cars/trains pass one another everywhere they are supposed to?
- Handicap facilities/Wheelchair devices: Do all anticipated types of
such devices interface with the cars properly?
- Tests of emergency equipment and systems: Are specified emergency equipment and systems for ventilation and exhaust, electrical generation, water removal, fire detection and suppression, intrusion detection, and lighting installed and properly operating.
- Recruitment, training and certification of personnel (operators, dispatchers, maintenance) as to electrical and signal systems, track features, shop equipment, fare collection systems, normal and emergency communications, security systems, notification procedures, control center response, supervisory and maintenance response, emergency (police/fire/ambulance) first responder notification, liaison and response, power structure and sectionalization, loss of signals and/or communications contingencies, accident investigation procedures, bus substitution scenarios, train evacuation, public notification protocols and procedures, in-operation vehicle troubleshooting, emergency occurrence training
- "Readiness drills" simulating bomb threats, fire and smoke on a railcar, grade crossing collision with or without injuries to passengers and/or the public, operation during/after earthquakes, civil or other disturbances, actual or threatened criminal activity aboard trains or in station facilities/property
- All of the above must include defining the roles and responsibilities of the people involved, having observers to critique the drills, debriefing to obtain feedback, and producing and circulating drill summaries, conclusions, feedback and thorough updated retraining as appropriate.
- Education of the public (especially including children/students), law-enforcement and other private/public agencies as to traffic signal operation and other controls, violations, and general safety measures with actual, though empty, trains in live operation.
Planning and construction are only the critical first steps. Starting now, reputations, and more importantly, lives and legal, financial and moral liability are all at stake from the moment the first car turns a wheel, or the overhead is energized. by Paul Jackson
|
|