Surrey Langley Skytrain - Expo Line Extension | U/C - Page 8

jollyburger · #**141** Posted **Aug 12, 2025, 5:28 AM**

^^ They are targeting a 2032-2033 completion.

https://openaccess.cms-conferences.org/p...-964867-42-7/article/978-1-964867-42-7_3

Published July 2025 so I assume the completion data is fairly accurate.

officedweller · #**142** Posted **Aug 18, 2025, 11:25 PM**

The next launching gantry being assembled:

Here’s a look at the Surrey Sprinter launching gantry being assembled at 152 St Station.
Though this specialized machine looks a little different from Fleetwood Flyer, functionality remains the same.
https://x.com/SLSkyTrain/status/1957534268847952193

mike_ · #**143** Posted **Aug 24, 2025, 4:38 PM**

There’s some interesting history behind the gantries being used for the elevated guideway construction. The Langley Launcher and the upcoming Clayton Clipper appear to be the same two gantries previously used together on both the Montreal REM and the Toulouse Metro Line C projects.
On the REM, they were named Anne and Marie, after terminal stations (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Avenue Marie-Curie). The Langley Launcher originally bore the faded name “LG-2 MARIE,” a remnant from its REM deployment, but that marking has since been covered with decals. It was still visible when the first guideway beams were lifted.
The phrase “ICI NOUS CONSTRUISONS LE VIADUC DU MÉTRO” was added during their time in Toulouse, and is still visible on the Langley Launcher today.
There’s no official confirmation that the Clayton Clipper is Anne, but the theory is strongly supported by circumstantial evidence:

Anne and Marie were always used as a pair on both the Montreal REM and Toulouse Metro projects.
If two twin gantries were going to be reused, it would make logistical sense to stage them both from the same location—Hillcrest–184 Street Station—which is where the Langley Launcher is being assembled and where the Clayton Clipper is scheduled to begin later in the fall.
The other two gantries on the project—the Fleetwood Flyer and the Surrey Sprinter—are visibly different in design. The Fleetwood Flyer appears to be new and lacks markings from previous deployments, while the Surrey Sprinter uses a lattice-style beam and is structurally distinct from the REM gantries.
Anne was visibly present at the March 4, 2024 bridge deck collapse in Toulouse, which tragically killed one worker and injured several others. Photos from the scene clearly show the faded name “LG-1 ANNE” on the gantry. Notably, Anne appeared to be undamaged in the collapse, suggesting it remained structurally sound and could be redeployed.

So while it hasn’t been formally stated, it’s a well-supported assumption that the Clayton Clipper is Anne.

officedweller · #**144** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 4:33 AM**

Cool, thanks!

jollyburger · #**145** Posted **Aug 25, 2025, 7:19 PM**

I found a photo of Marie and it has a faded Riyadh Metro logo on it as well.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/48915798512/in/album-72177720307392725

Also, I just noticed this video for Langley Launcher (?) has a serial number L94C next to the measurement numbers on one girder. That's the one from Marie.

• Video Link

Anne is L94A

https://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/48909431303/in/album-72177720307392725

mike_ · #**146** Posted **Aug 26, 2025, 10:53 PM**

Nice! I saw the L94C on Marie when I walked the dog last night.

I checked the Fleetwood Flyer for similar numbers this morning when I was at the pool but I didn’t see any. I’m still pretty confident that the Fleetwood Flyer is brand new. It has half meter marking, whereas the Langley Launcher only has markings every meter.

madog222 · #**147** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 12:09 AM**

^Neat, great research!

Langley Launcher load testing:

https://x.com/SLSkyTrain/status/1960432145157034029/photo/1

jollyburger · #**148** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 1:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_

Nice! I saw the L94C on Marie when I walked the dog last night.

I checked the Fleetwood Flyer for similar numbers this morning when I was at the pool but I didn’t see any. I’m still pretty confident that the Fleetwood Flyer is brand new. It has half meter marking, whereas the Langley Launcher only has markings every meter.

There's this girder in front of the Rona so I assume it's Fleetwood Flyer?

Mobile crane by B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, on Flickr

It has a L94C code next to the "62" on the "ruler" at the bottom of the girder. And the inside seems a bit rusty so not sure if it's just a good paint job versus being new.

I also noticed in Stainer's video the Clayton Clipper segment also had a L94C girder segment near the "73" Also saw an L7 right next to that marking on the attached girder.

It also seems like there's a tiny segment inserted right in the middle and the "ruler" numbering has a gap there.

Fleetwood Flyer does seem to have a very visible waffle like indendentation on the girder coming from the support bracing inside which matches that grid pattern.

mike_ · #**149** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 3:29 PM**

Has anyone been following the pillar construction on the hill between the 17800 and 18000 blocks of Fraser Highway?
They’ve built two pillars so far—starting with the third foundation from the top, then moving to the topmost foundation. The first pillar they built (at the third foundation) is noticeably taller than the second one (at the top), which makes sense given the posted 7% grade on that hill. Since SkyTrain can only operate on grades up to 6%, it looks like they’re using taller pillars to flatten the guideway.
And especially if they’re not building to the maximum allowable grade—say they’re aiming for something more conservative like 5%—we could be seeing some very tall pillars once they reach the bottom of the hill.
I’ve been tracking the construction and counting concrete forms—curious if anyone else has noticed this or has insight into the expected pillar heights.

mike_ · #**150** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 4:08 PM**

Quote:

It has a L94C code next to the "62" on the "ruler" at the bottom of the girder. And the inside seems a bit rusty so not sure if it's just a good paint job versus being new.

The Fleetwood flyer has a different style of ruler. Maybe that piece got dropped off at the wrong location by accident? It looks like an old picture and the ground is wet.
See https://flic.kr/p/2rpReJf

jollyburger · #**151** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 4:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_

The Fleetwood flyer has a different style of ruler. Maybe that piece got dropped off at the wrong location by accident? It looks like an old picture and the ground is wet.
See https://flic.kr/p/2rpReJf

The photo is from the end of March.

Probably need to check the back girder to see if it has similar markings or not.

Sheba · #**152** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_

The first pillar they built (at the third foundation) is noticeably taller than the second one (at the top), which makes sense given the posted 7% grade on that hill. Since SkyTrain can only operate on grades up to 6%, it looks like they’re using taller pillars to flatten the guideway.
And especially if they’re not building to the maximum allowable grade—say they’re aiming for something more conservative like 5%—we could be seeing some very tall pillars once they reach the bottom of the hill.

Skytrain can operate at more than 6% - they just limit it to that (prob much better on overall wear and tear to the system). I can totally see them trying to flatten out hills so it doesn't feel like riding a roller coaster. Of course how long it takes to get to the bottom of hills with that kind of grading...

officedweller · #**153** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 7:51 PM**

The M-line is similar along Lougheed near Production Way where the station needs a level section that ends up projecting from the hill.
Is there a station in that area on Fraser highway?

madog222 · #**154** Posted **Aug 27, 2025, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

The M-line is similar along Lougheed near Production Way where the station needs a level section that ends up projecting from the hill.
Is there a station in that area on Fraser highway?

There’s a station close by at 148th St but Fraser Hwy is fairly flat in that section, the hill levels out a few hundred meters away.

nname · #**155** Posted **Aug 28, 2025, 5:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheba

Skytrain can operate at more than 6% - they just limit it to that (prob much better on overall wear and tear to the system). I can totally see them trying to flatten out hills so it doesn't feel like riding a roller coaster. Of course how long it takes to get to the bottom of hills with that kind of grading...

The maximum is 6.5%, but not able to run at full speed.

TransLink put a limit for all future guideway construction at 6% grade max.

See last page of this document