|
Post by darrell on Sept 18, 2009 12:53:13 GMT -8
Three-car Breda train crossing the First Street bridge around noon today. I also saw one- and two-car Breda trains, and a one-car Siemens train.
|
|
|
Post by metrocenter on Sept 18, 2009 12:56:42 GMT -8
The trains I noticed running a few days ago were only on the north track.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Sept 18, 2009 13:18:51 GMT -8
Three-car Breda train crossing the First Street bridge around noon today. I also saw one- and two-car Breda trains, and a one-car Siemens train. Wow, from this angle you can see how small the windows are. I also heard that you can't see through the driver's cab. It sucks. I hope the Breda contract gets canceled fast and we see better trains instead for the Expo Line.
|
|
|
Post by darrell on Sept 18, 2009 13:25:05 GMT -8
The trains I noticed running a few days ago were only on the north track. Definitely both tracks operated today. This eastbound one-car train preceded the westbound three-car train above. This would be a great place for photos if only there weren't all the power lines in the background above the L.A. River. Although peculiarly, a few minutes earlier when I arrived at 1st and Mission, I saw this Siemens car stopped in the station with its lights indicating it was westbound on the eastbound track. But it soon changed its lights and headed east.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Sept 18, 2009 13:32:35 GMT -8
Is one of the headlights not working or they were alternately flashing? (There would be the Italian engineering for you if they were not flashing. LOL)
|
|
|
Post by darrell on Sept 18, 2009 13:39:21 GMT -8
I also heard that you can't see through the driver's cab. It sucks. I hope the Breda contract gets canceled fast and we see better trains instead for the Expo Line. At least there is a window in the Breda car operator's door, although smaller than the previous cars. San Jose's new cars have no front window at all.
|
|
|
Post by darrell on Sept 18, 2009 13:43:29 GMT -8
Is one of the headlights not working or they were alternately flashing? (There would be the Italian engineering for you if they were not flashing. LOL) Don't know. All headlights were on in my other front photos, and I was too busy getting the shots to notice if lights were flashing.
|
|
|
Post by James Fujita on Sept 18, 2009 13:57:22 GMT -8
I also heard that you can't see through the driver's cab. It sucks. I hope the Breda contract gets canceled fast and we see better trains instead for the Expo Line. At least there is a window in the Breda car operator's door, although smaller than the previous cars. San Jose's new cars have no front window at all. well, as much as I like being able to see out the front, there's no requirement, as far as I know, that says that you have to have a forward-facing window. you don't have windows in the door to the cockpit on a jetliner. the side windows are much more important, IMHO, since they provide a view/ avoid claustrophobia/ let sunshine in.
|
|
|
Post by Gokhan on Sept 18, 2009 14:21:54 GMT -8
In the good old days of rail, they used to design the rail cars to provide maximum view of the road from the front windows to the passengers. See the 2:35 of this video: Although this was a special car. It also had meters at the display for the passengers, showing the voltage, current, speed, and break pressure. Now, how cool that would be to have in our LRVs! Not that most young people educated by LAUSD would know what voltage and current are. Their education opportunity is going to money spent for filing lawsuits to stop light-rail.
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Sept 18, 2009 17:46:16 GMT -8
Is one of the headlights not working or they were alternately flashing? (There would be the Italian engineering for you if they were not flashing. LOL) Don't know. All headlights were on in my other front photos, and I was too busy getting the shots to notice if lights were flashing. The headlights flash when the gong is used. It's an extra safety measure. I believe (but could be wrong) the the Blueline cars are like that. As far as the cab windows go...the operators are glad there are none. On the P2000s, people will sit and stare through the window. The operators can see the face in the reflection off the windshield under certain lighting conditions. It really bugs them! And darrel, those are great shots. Very good composition!
|
|
|
Post by rubbertoe on Sept 18, 2009 18:41:27 GMT -8
Three-car Breda train crossing the First Street bridge around noon today. I also saw one- and two-car Breda trains, and a one-car Siemens train. Darrell. I was on the Gold Line platform about 10:53am having just arrived at Union Station. They had a 3 car Breda train set up to head East on the extension. I just had time to check that the rail boots (?) normally in place to keep the trains from heading East were unlocked to allow for testing. Heres the only pic that I took. I was hoping to get a shot of it heading over the 101 bridge, but they were goofing around with the doors and I had to jump on a Metrolink train to get to the Fair. Bart, Glad to hear about the possible start of the 5 weeks of pre-revenue testing! So, you're guaranteeing a Mid-November opening ;-) RubberToe
|
|
|
Post by darrell on Sept 19, 2009 18:12:37 GMT -8
I put up new Light Rail Photos and Light Rail Big Photos blog posts (same content, but the latter are big like this one) of recent Eastside Gold Line photos, including this new one of the Little Tokyo station.
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Sept 20, 2009 18:44:23 GMT -8
Get ready for Showtime!
On 9/22 & 9/23 (Tue, Wed) there will be 9 two car trains operating between Union and Atlantic stations with 5 min headway.
Have your cameras ready.
|
|
|
Post by rubbertoe on Sept 24, 2009 13:07:41 GMT -8
From egpnews.com:
Today, Thursday, September 24 Noon-9:30pm—Metro Eastside Gold Line Extension train testing continues Testing schedules are subject to change. Currently, test times are scheduled for today and Friday, Sept 25 from noon to 9:30 pm and Saturday, Sept. 26 from 6am-4pm; Testing speed: The same as vehicular traffic, approximately 35 miles per hour: Trains will run every five to 10 minutes.
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Sept 26, 2009 19:03:58 GMT -8
Any updates on when "live testing" (running on timetable but not carrying passengers) will start? That's pre-revenue testing, scheduled to begin Oct 4th. The trains will run the entire length of the Goldline. Right now, Eastside testing is only between Union & Atlantic.
|
|
|
Post by Transit Coalition on Sept 26, 2009 20:06:02 GMT -8
Any updates on when "live testing" (running on timetable but not carrying passengers) will start? That's pre-revenue testing, scheduled to begin Oct 4th. The trains will run the entire length of the Goldline. Right now, Eastside testing is only between Union & Atlantic. Mike Cannell, General Manager Metro Rail will be our guest speaker on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the Transit Coalition monthly meeting. You can learn directly what challenges have come up in the testing that have caused months and months of adjustments to get the East LA Gold Line running safely. Plan on this must see meeting.
|
|
|
Post by losangeles2319 on Sept 29, 2009 15:37:13 GMT -8
It said on Metro.net that Pre-Revenue testing should begin on October 4th. I was wondering how long pre-revenue testing usually is? 5 weeks or 6 cause i remember hearing both *Note: I am NOT asking when the train will start running
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Sept 29, 2009 20:52:43 GMT -8
It said on Metro.net that Pre-Revenue testing should begin on October 4th. I was wondering how long pre-revenue testing usually is? 5 weeks or 6 cause i remember hearing both *Note: I am NOT asking when the train will start running I've been told pre-revenue will last for 6 weeks. It's starts a little before 4am and ends after 1am. It's gonna get busy out there
|
|
|
Post by rubbertoe on Oct 3, 2009 15:58:53 GMT -8
Metroman, Let us know how the first day of testing goes, as you seem to have an "in". An HD Video of the full route from the drivers seat would be a nice early Christmas present for all of us RubberToe
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Oct 5, 2009 19:23:40 GMT -8
Here's a couple showing the turnstiles at Soto and Mariachi stations. Each turnstile has a small LCD display. Pre-revenue testing has been going very well. Only a few minor problems. Seems like the stations only need trim and finish work. Looks to me that the extension will open next month.
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Oct 5, 2009 19:27:08 GMT -8
An HD Video of the full route from the drivers seat would be a nice early Christmas present for all of us RubberToe Hmmm...that's a good idea. Guess I'll have to buy me one of those flip video cameras
|
|
|
Post by wad on Oct 8, 2009 3:49:02 GMT -8
What is the speed limit for the elevated track above the 101? I've seen trains run across it, but go at about 10-15 mph. Is the curve too sharp?
|
|
|
Post by Justin Walker on Oct 8, 2009 6:41:32 GMT -8
What is the speed limit for the elevated track above the 101? I've seen trains run across it, but go at about 10-15 mph. Is the curve too sharp? A snippet I found in the Peer Panel Review report: "The Gold Line Eastside Extension is approximately 5.8 miles in length with a mixed operating environment. The line is predominately street running, with a top operating speed of 35 mph. At no time is the operating speed greater than the posted speed limit for vehicular traffic. The grade crossings are wide offering for the most part excellent sightlines. As mentioned earlier, this type of alignment, combined with the operating characteristics, does not justify or require the installation of crossing gates. Other segments of line include a 1.7-mile tunnel with a maximum operating speed of 55 mph, and a short aerial structure with an operating speed of 10 mph. The low operating speed on the aerial structure is due to the curvature of the bridge and steep grade."
|
|
|
Post by erict on Oct 8, 2009 7:27:58 GMT -8
10 mph is about the speed of the traffic on the 101
|
|
|
Post by joshuanickel on Oct 8, 2009 17:03:26 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by James Fujita on Oct 9, 2009 11:08:22 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by metroman on Oct 9, 2009 19:46:49 GMT -8
What is the speed limit for the elevated track above the 101? I've seen trains run across it, but go at about 10-15 mph. Is the curve too sharp? It's called the flyover. Right now it's 10mph, but will be increased to 15 at a later date.
|
|
|
Post by wad on Oct 10, 2009 4:10:31 GMT -8
What is the speed limit for the elevated track above the 101? I've seen trains run across it, but go at about 10-15 mph. Is the curve too sharp? It's called the flyover. Right now it's 10mph, but will be increased to 15 at a later date. It'll be 10-15 mph in revenue service too?
|
|
|
Post by damiengoodmon on Oct 10, 2009 6:27:09 GMT -8
Yes. If it goes over 15 auto shut down.
That basically means trains will crawl from Union Station to Little Tokyo.
|
|
|
Post by spokker on Oct 10, 2009 10:10:20 GMT -8
Some drivers seem to slow down as they approach the grade crossing that baggage handlers drive over and some just plow through at a constant speed.
Some drivers are slowing before, during and after the grade crossing at the Union Station side of the flyover. But what can you really do? Not sure how else you could have gotten the Gold Line out of Union Station without this ridiculously sharp flyover. I wonder if the run-through tracks would be similar.
|
|