ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[chutten]

Hopefully not the leaves issue, because our LRV’s are equipped with sanding systems, and electromagnetic track brakes, which act directly against the rails, independent of wheel-to-rail friction (or lack therof).

So... the EM track brakes are for stopping and the sanding is for accelerating?

[trainspotter139]

Hopefully not the leaves issue, because our LRV’s are equipped with sanding systems, and electromagnetic track brakes, which act directly against the rails, independent of wheel-to-rail friction (or lack therof).

Light Rail systems are surprisingly robust. This one always gets me:



Not being a big “electricity” guy, it always baffles me how this is possible!

The steel track is a stronger conductor than the water and since the power is from overhead there's no risk of short circuiting since the rails are just ground return. you wouldn't be able to get away with that with third-rail though which is why when Union Station floods the subway pretty much shuts down in Toronto.

[DHLawrence]

One time when I was working in Toronto, someone said they shouldn't electrify because of the climate. Apparently they missed that they got to the office on an electric streetcar.

[Canard]

Hopefully not the leaves issue, because our LRV’s are equipped with sanding systems, and electromagnetic track brakes, which act directly against the rails, independent of wheel-to-rail friction (or lack therof).

So... the EM track brakes are for stopping and the sanding is for accelerating?

The EM track brakes (I like that!) are for stopping, yes, but sanding can help for both accelerating and decelerating - since it increases the traction of the wheels to the rails, and the wheels are normally used for accelerating and braking.

The EM track brakes are only activated in emergencies - IIRC they are only energized when the operator pushes the E-Stop (big red button).  They're not normally ever used - the deceleration is so abrupt it would throw standing passengers.  In other words, you only ever use it to save a life outside the LRV, at the risk of causing a few bumps and bruises to passengers inside.

This Russian dude does a great job of explaining how they work:



And here's a couple of photos I took of them on 501, shot during offloading:

   

   

[Elmira Guy]

So is Canad's referring to them as "him" also unacceptable, or just female gendered terms?

Don't get me wrong, Canard. I am not offended by you calling them "him", but then I'm not offended by people referring to them as " her" or "she" either (no doubt I will be assailed for this position). I do find it odd to anthropomorphize an inanimate object mind you. I just don't see it as offensive, just odd.

[Elmira Guy]

Thanks for the pics and vids! Very entertaining and interesting.

[Canard]

Ooo, here's a good one:

[boatracer]

Ooo, here's a good one:

Wow that is pretty damn fast!

[Elmira Guy]

Wow! That is fast! Cool video, Canard!

[kps]

I did notice that “disseminate” was on the list with zero hint as to what is supposed to be wrong with it

Won't somebody please think of the plant embryos?

(My 2019 New Year's resolution will be to resist shitposting.)

[Canard]

501 spent the weekend up at Randall Drive, and hasn’t made its way back down to the Lancaster Yard yet. I imagine it’ll come down Monday night (Tuesday morning).

[bgb_ca]

I'm just hoping they don't deliver 505 while I'm on my vacation next week.

[Pheidippides]

Did we ever land on how many flatbed cars are available for deliveries? I find it hard that there is only one, but it has been the same flatbed each time so far hasn't it?

If there is only one though that is essentially 1 week to get it here and unload + 1 week to send it back and re-load x 9 remaining = 18 weeks or mid-May just to get the rest delivered here nevermind burn-in/testing/simulated service.

[trainspotter139]

Did we ever land on how many flatbed cars are available for deliveries? I find it hard that there is only one, but it has been the same flatbed each time so far hasn't it?

If there is only one though that is essentially 1 week to get it here and unload + 1 week to send it back and re-load x 9 remaining = 18 weeks or mid-May just to get the rest delivered here nevermind burn-in/testing/simulated service.

they have more than 1 of them. they just haven't needed to use them yet.

[Canard]

If there is only one though that is essentially 1 week to get it here and unload + 1 week to send it back and re-load x 9 remaining = 18 weeks or mid-May just to get the rest delivered here nevermind burn-in/testing/simulated service.

I've had that thought over and over (typed out and deleted draft posts about it), and can't help but think the Spring 2018 date is such a pipe dream. I'd love to be surprised, but still thinking fall is more realistic, given how other projects typically go and the fact that there seems to be no interest in working OT to get the trains that are here out on the line.