TTC: Flexity Streetcars Testing & Delivery (Bombardier)

[drum118]

drum118 said "TTC is going to have to look at this short turn before 2015/2016, but some of it maybe solve when the new cars hit the line before then. Even with short turning at Cherry St, you still got issue east of here to deal with before 2016. " While I agree that a new short-turn destination of Broadview would be useful, when you get to Cherry/Sumach streets the distance between King and Queen streets is very short so having eastbound cars short-turning at Cherry is really not too bad.

Don't forget by the time cars start using Cherry St Loop, there will be a development in place to service the new riders in that area. Then service will not start until fall of 2015 or early 2016 for Cherry St and then will be a car every 5 or 10 minutes.

With River City the THC projects starting coming on line this year with new residents, more seats will be used for these new riders to the point, short turning at Church St will have a bigger impact on them. Then you got 3 new development over by Boardview that will be on line this year with one now.

By 2015, you will have a number of new developments coming online or about to other than the ones already noted.

The bottle neck for the King line is between Spadina and Yonge St at this time.

Yes the distance between King & Queen maybe short at Cherry St, its where riders are going/from to/from is the issue for riders in that area.

As for taking cars to Exhibition, will not happen unless there some new thinking within TTC. Having cars going to the Ex for special events would work and would take some load off Bathurst and Dufferin routes.

The bean counters as well keeping drivers on schedule is more important than the needs of a rider based on TTC practices. If these people started to figure what the rider cost is for these short turns as well huge gaps, the cost will be greater than what TTC/bean counter are trying to save with these short turn.

 

[Sir Novelty Fashion]

The bottle neck for the King line is between Spadina and Yonge St at this time.

As a regular rider, Spadina-Bathurst is the worst part at peak hours, and at night. Can take 10 minutes just to make it one block.

 

[JayBeeGooner]

From a friend who knows someone who is working on the Streetcars in Thunder Bay.

http://i.imgur.com/SGY7a.jpg

 

[drum118]

From a friend who knows someone who is working on the Streetcars in Thunder Bay.

http://i.imgur.com/SGY7a.jpg

That must be the 2nd prototype about to be ship to TO this month. It will use the new off loading ramp at Hillcrest for the first time.

 

[W. K. Lis]

From a friend who knows someone who is working on the Streetcars in Thunder Bay.

http://i.imgur.com/SGY7a.jpg

With forecast lows of -23°C this week, good time for winter temperature tests up in Thunder Bay.

 

[DavidH]

From a friend who knows someone who is working on the Streetcars in Thunder Bay.

http://i.imgur.com/SGY7a.jpg

Interesting, it's running on its pantograph.

 

[Dan416]

Interesting, it's running on its pantograph.

I noticed that too. Cool.

 

[drum118]

It will have to be tested for both systems before being ship, since TTC well be using both systems during testing.

Since TTC has a few lines already rebuilt for pans, pans will be tested on these lines before the new cars enter service in 2014. 510, 509 and 512 are or will be 100% pan ready this year. Parts of 511 is almost ready for pans and should be ready by 14. Hillcrest is also ready for pans.

 

[jamincan]

What changes have to be made to make a line ready for pantographs?

 

[drum118]

What changes have to be made to make a line ready for pantographs?

New hangers to support the wires, raise the wires, rebuilt all loops and intersections, new wires for the pans and poles and extra supports at intersections and loops.

The Spadina station has the new support and the line in place is ready for pans that is in operation. St Clair is 100% completed. Dufferin St is done, but not the loop. Most of Bathurst is done. 509 will be done when the line is rebuilt for it this year including the rebuilt loop at Spadina. Various sections of the system has seen new hangers and wire installed. New poles have to replace the existing steel hydro poles. Power sections have to be rebuilt also.

 

[Contra]

Drum, could you give us a before and after pic perhaps of the changed wiring?

 

[W. K. Lis]

The contact copper wire used with pantographs are of a thicker gauge (4/0). The contact copper wire used with trolleys are thinner (2/0).

The wire has to be thicker because the longer vehicles will need better contact for more electrical power to operate its air-conditioning. In addition, to prevent excess wear and the creation of a groove, the conduit wire will be staggering back and forth.

See this link.

 

[drum118]

I should note that these new hangers will be off set every other one by a few inches to give a wave in the line for the pans, since they cannot be in a straight line. Being in a straigth line will cause a grove in the pan as well not acting as an ice cutter during the winter months. Better connection on curvers or bends.

Here one of Victoria & Dundas waiting to be done intersection. You can see the different above for Bathurst & St Clair as well at Hillcrest.

This is the current way the hangers are used

This is the new way with thicker wire

 

[jamincan]

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[Contra]

Looks interesting, cheers.