TTC: Flexity Streetcars Testing & Delivery (Bombardier)

[W. K. Lis]

When the TTC was buying the 744 PCC streetcars, it was over the years. From 1938 to 1951, and not all at once. Mostly new, some used. See link.

The current 204 Flexity Outlook is being acquired from 2014 to 2019 (present). However, according to the CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN Making Headway Capital Investments to Keep Transit Moving report (see link), the TTC wants to purchase an additional 100 streetcars (not 60) from 2025 to 2028 at $510 million. Hopefully, the additional will have upgrades included with them. Likely, the time between orders will be used to construct the Flexity Freedom or some other light rail vehicles.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

When the TTC was buying the 744 PCC streetcars, it was over the years. From 1938 to 1951, and not all at once. Mostly new, some used. See link.

The current 204 Flexity Outlook is being acquired from 2014 to 2019 (present). However, according to the CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN Making Headway Capital Investments to Keep Transit Moving report (see link), the TTC wants to purchase an additional 100 streetcars (not 60) from 2025 to 2028 at $510 million. Hopefully, the additional will have upgrades included with them. Likely, the time between orders will be used to construct the Flexity Freedom or some other light rail vehicles.

So, 100 additional Flexities, instead of 60? I always here it is 60 additional, not 100.

 

[kevhu]

So, 100 additional Flexities, instead of 60? I always here it is 60 additional, not 100.

From the Making Headway report it seems that the TTC won't be exercising the option with Bombardier for the 60 extra cars, since they're pushing it out to 2025+. No guarantees that Flexities will be purchased as they could start a new procurement at that time.

 

[drum118]

4523 was off loaded today and was delivery to the Barns around 6 pm.

Was having supper on Queen before a meeting and saw 4523 heading eastbound on its own passing me. If I had my camera out, would got a shot of it, as it stop in front of me.

4522 still not tracking

TTC Management said they had 100 new cars on the road yesterday

 

[crs1026]

4524 is in Toronto and waiting its turn to be delivered to Hillcrest.

Still, that's only three cars out the door from Thunder Bay since New Years'.

- Paul

 

[drum118]

4524 is in Toronto and waiting its turn to be delivered to Hillcrest.

Still, that's only three cars out the door from Thunder Bay since New Years'.

- Paul

I said tonight at a meeting that included TTC management that they wouldn't have all the cars here by end of the year. It was stated by someone you know that Kingston is the problem since they are dealing with Metrolinx order to the point they are going to miss Feb 1 date. TTC said they see less cars than plan for, as well they have nothing to back charge to since the limit has already been reach. You can tack on extra cost for missing 2019 date by legal means.

Was expecting 4524 would be off loaded early this week. 4523 came off a day late, since TTC had no cars to pull it off the flat yesterday.

 

[44 North]

Saw something interesting today that hadn't seen before. Basically a small explosion from the wheel area of a (CLRV) streetcar. Looked to be coming out of a cylinder next to the wheels. We've all seen sparks from the pole/wire interface. But a new one from the wheel area. There was smoke and some sparks, so didn't seem like a burst air line.

Also wondered something after reading Toby the Tram engine book which is kind of related. Why didn't the CLRVs have sideplates (wheel covers) all these years. Toby did, the Flexity LRVs do. But not the CLRV.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Saw something interesting today that hadn't seen before. Basically a small explosion from the wheel area of a (CLRV) streetcar. Looked to be coming out of a cylinder next to the wheels. We've all seen sparks from the pole/wire interface. But a new one from the wheel area. There was smoke and some sparks, so didn't seem like a burst air line.

Also wondered something after reading Toby the Tram engine book which is kind of related. Why didn't the CLRVs have sideplates (wheel covers) all these years. Toby did, the Flexity LRVs do. But not the CLRV.

Some cities (like Chicago) has "bogie skirts" on their PCC streetcars. See link.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

I said tonight at a meeting that included TTC management that they wouldn't have all the cars here by end of the year. It was stated by someone you know that Kingston is the problem since they are dealing with Metrolinx order to the point they are going to miss Feb 1 date. TTC said they see less cars than plan for, as well they have nothing to back charge to since the limit has already been reach. You can tack on extra cost for missing 2019 date by legal means.

Was expecting 4524 would be off loaded early this week. 4523 came off a day late, since TTC had no cars to pull it off the flat yesterday.

So, your telling me, the Crosstown LRVs will likely be delayed ? Wasn't there gonna be a huge fine from Metrolinx if they weren't delivered ?

 

[W. K. Lis]

When the TTC was buying the 744 PCC streetcars, it was over the years. From 1938 to 1951, and not all at once. Mostly new, some used. See link.

The current 204 Flexity Outlook is being acquired from 2014 to 2019 (present). However, according to the CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN Making Headway Capital Investments to Keep Transit Moving report (see link), the TTC wants to purchase an additional 100 streetcars (not 60) from 2025 to 2028 at $510 million. Hopefully, the additional will have upgrades included with them. Likely, the time between orders will be used to construct the Flexity Freedom or some other light rail vehicles.

Wonder if the 2025-2028 model of streetcars will also be "autonomous vehicles" when in mixed traffic or surface right-of-ways?

From link.

Changes to Ontario's Automated Vehicle Pilot

Automated vehicles are designed to operate without a driver having to continually control steering, acceleration or braking. Advanced control systems and technology track the vehicle's position and monitor the driving environment. They have the potential to improve road safety, traffic flow, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create economic opportunities for Ontarians.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International has developed a universal classification system to define automation levels for motor vehicles:

Level 0 - No Automation: No automated features.

Level 1 - Driver Assistance: Intelligent features add layer of safety and comfort. A human driver is required for all critical functions.

Level 2 - Partial Automation: At least two automated tasks are managed by the vehicle, but the driver must remain engaged with the driving task.

Level 3 - Conditional Automation: The vehicle becomes a co-pilot. The vehicle manages most safety-critical driving functions but the driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times.

Level 4 - High Automation: The vehicle is capable of performing all driving functions under certain conditions. The driver may have the option to control the vehicle.

Level 5 - Full Automation: Vehicle is capable of being completely driverless. Full-time automated driving in all conditions without need for a human driver.

Changes to the Pilot

Ontario's Automated Vehicle Pilot Program was launched in 2016 for a 10-year term to allow for the on-road testing of automated vehicles. The pilot is open to manufacturers, technology companies, and academic/research institutions.

Starting January 1, 2019, changes to Ontario's Automated Vehicle Pilot Program will open the door to new automated and connected vehicle research, development and manufacturing opportunities and create more options for Ontario drivers. The changes include:

1. Automated vehicles equipped with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) level 3 technology that are eligible and available for public purchase in Canada can be driven on Ontario roads. These vehicles will no longer be restricted to registered pilot participants only. Vehicles with aftermarket SAE Level 3 technology (technology that has been added to a vehicle after sale, not by an Original Equipment Manufacturer) will remain restricted to the pilot program and will not be permitted for public use. Anyone driving a vehicle with any level of automation will continue to be required to be attentive at all times and obey all existing driving laws, including for distracted and impaired and driving.
2. Pilot participants can test driverless vehicles on Ontario's roads, under strict conditions that will ensure tests are conducted in safe and controlled environments. For example, participants must have either a passenger on-board or a remote operator monitoring the vehicle's operations, vehicle signage requirements must be met, and local authorities must be alerted.
3. Pilot participants can test connected "platooning" technology, in which large trucks are equipped with support systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communications that enable them to travel closely together as a group. To ensure safe testing, some of the requirements include having a strong carrier safety rating, having a trained and experienced driver in each vehicle, maintaining a safe gap between vehicles and following vehicle signage requirements.

 

[jordanmkasla2009]

Saw something interesting today that hadn't seen before. Basically a small explosion from the wheel area of a (CLRV) streetcar. Looked to be coming out of a cylinder next to the wheels. We've all seen sparks from the pole/wire interface. But a new one from the wheel area. There was smoke and some sparks, so didn't seem like a burst air line.

Also wondered something after reading Toby the Tram engine book which is kind of related. Why didn't the CLRVs have sideplates (wheel covers) all these years. Toby did, the Flexity LRVs do. But not the CLRV.

what you saw is likely a brake shoe disintegrating. It happens sometimes.

 

[smallspy]

Also wondered something after reading Toby the Tram engine book which is kind of related. Why didn't the CLRVs have sideplates (wheel covers) all these years. Toby did, the Flexity LRVs do. But not the CLRV.

The CLRVs didn't have covers over the trucks for the same reason why the PCCs didn't have covers - because of the amount of truck swing that the cars need to negociate the trackage on the system, they would have had to have been mounted to the trucks themselves. And that was more of a maintenance headache than anyone wanted to deal with at the time.

The Flexities have skirts around the trucks because the trucks don't rotate nearly as much, and in the case of the Flexities they're to help dampen the noise from the wheels.

Dan

 

[smallspy]

what you saw is likely a brake shoe disintegrating. It happens sometimes.

The brake shoes on the streetcars are all mounted inboard of the wheels - there are no tread brakes, only disc brakes.

If it came from the cylinder on the side of the truck, that's just an air cylinder, so it was just compressed air.

Dan

 

[Maltesefalcon]

4524 is in Toronto and waiting its turn to be delivered to Hillcrest.

Still, that's only three cars out the door from Thunder Bay since New Years'.

- Paul

I think it would be four actually. But more importantly they need to get five out this month just to keep up the pace with last years average output from TB.

Finding it hard to understand why BBD can ship 10 units in December and coast to 4-5 max in January. They seem to want a soft start in Q1 every year. Consistancy is just as important as punctuality.

And these comments are directed to achieving 60ish from TB. The Kingston plant is another issue. Lot of fuss and bother for one unit delivered thus far....

 

[JamesKoole]

4523 is tracking now (at the Leslie Barns). http://ttctracker.ca/detail.php?v=4523
4522, which was offloaded a few days before 4523, hasn't shown up yet.