Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II - Page 120

officedweller · #**2381** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Gravity assist would make things that much more efficient in either case.

Canada Line is designed with gravity assist - at least in the downtown stations. Trains leaving naturally accelerate going downhill and trains arriving naturally slow coming uphill.

mcj · #**2382** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Even if they do, regen does not recoup 100% of the energy and in battery-less vehicles like these it depends on being able to dump the energy into another train being fed from the same substation that needs the power. Two trains decelerating into a station at the same time, for example, would almost certainly not get any regenerative benefit.

What's the ratio of trains per substation? I would imagine there's quite a few operating at peak times so this scenario where energy is wasted is unlikely at least during peak service.

jollyburger · #**2383** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 5:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Even if they do, regen does not recoup 100% of the energy and in battery-less vehicles like these it depends on being able to dump the energy into another train being fed from the same substation that needs the power. Two trains decelerating into a station at the same time, for example, would almost certainly not get any regenerative benefit.

Gravity assist would make things that much more efficient in either case.

FWIW from Reddit

Quote:

The info I posted was from a talk done by the former head maintenance engineer for SkyTrain.

The number he gave was 70% of the power used to accelerate came from the braking of another train.

Also he was the one who revealed that the system has always been designed that way. It's quite easy when a single computer controls all of the trains. (This is also why they have a fluctuating minimum safe braking distance; the computer knows the location and speed of all trains.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/mow5lk/comment/gudx77c/

Stainer · #**2384** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 8:49 PM**

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/doug-mccallum-surrey-2026

DOUGY IS BACK! SKYTRAIN TO NEWTON BABY!!!

Tvisforme · #**2385** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainer

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/doug-mccallum-surrey-2026

DOUGY IS BACK! SKYTRAIN TO NEWTON BABY!!!

How does a police helicopter help combat extortion attempts?

logan5 · #**2386** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 9:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

How does a police helicopter help combat extortion attempts?

If you arm it with a chain gun...

Sheba · #**2387** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 10:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainer

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/doug-mccallum-surrey-2026

DOUGY IS BACK! SKYTRAIN TO NEWTON BABY!!!

I'm not going to quote the article (as much as I'm tempted to 'cause it's quite the comedy show). He wants to spend while not increasing property tax, which honestly is batshit crazy. Surrey already has lower taxes and because of that they haven't been able to do plenty of needed repairs / upgrades because they don't have the money for it.

Meanwhile TransLink has plans to increase bus service (much needed SoF) and add / extend some RapidBus routes. I can't see them changing those plans unless Surrey decides to pay for new Skytrain lines - which they can't do without some pretty big property tax increases...

Tvisforme · #**2388** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 10:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

If you arm it with a chain gun...

Blue Thunder, adjusted for a municipal budget

mcj · #**2389** Posted **Apr 13, 2026, 11:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

How does a police helicopter help combat extortion attempts?

In all seriousness, how is a helicopter in any way more effective than a much cheaper drone(s)? Not that I love the idea of a future of surveillance drones running around...

Express691 · #**2390** Posted **Apr 21, 2026, 11:33 PM**

617-618 in service this evening for the MkVs, there are now 9 trains in service. Another 3 are in testing.

logan5 · #**2391** Posted **Apr 22, 2026, 3:03 AM**

I seen one. It's like we are New York City now, with those 85 meter trains.

jollyburger · #**2392** Posted **Apr 22, 2026, 3:53 AM**

Not sure if any of this is new or not. Manufacturing line.

With a bike rack

Quote:

The TransLink trolleybus program in Vancouver has now exceeded 270 Solaris Trollino units, while the articulated prototype is already under production.

Originally launched with a smaller base order, the framework agreement included significant option volumes from the outset. With these gradually being exercised, the project has reached a scale that effectively enables the full renewal of Vancouver’s trolleybus fleet in the second half of the decade.

The first 12-metre vehicle is currently undergoing dynamic testing in Gdynia, while the articulated prototype is expected to follow shortly. Serial deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Under the framework agreement, the total volume could grow even further, potentially supporting not only fleet replacement but also future network expansion.

Quote:

We contacted Solaris to clarify the exact numbers. According to the manufacturer, TransLink has called for a total of 184 trolleybuses from the framework agreement by the end of 2025, and then increased the order book by calling for additional options in early 2026. As a result, the program currently includes the delivery of more than 270 Trollinos in 12 and 18-meter versions, while the full framework agreement allows for the delivery of up to 512 vehicles.

Dynamic tests of the first solo vehicle are currently underway in Gdynia, Poland, and according to information from the manufacturer, the vehicle is expected to be delivered to Vancouver by mid-year, where it will undergo further acceptance and validation. In parallel, the first articulated prototype will arrive in Gdynia shortly and will undergo a similar test program. The deliveries of the series-produced vehicles for both types are currently scheduled to start in early 2027, and they will be manufactured at Solaris’ plants in Poland.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/magyarbus...bility-activity-7443282345064976384-mRBa

https://magyarbusz.info/2026/03/27/mar-t...ranslink-keszul-a-csuklos-prototipus-is/

Mac Write · #**2393** Posted **Apr 22, 2026, 4:55 AM**

What routes would become trolley routes and what routes would become hybrid Trolley/off-wire routes.

And hoping 15 Cambie is restored.

aberdeen5698 · #**2394** Posted **Apr 22, 2026, 6:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logan5

I seen one. It's like we are New York City now, with those 85 meter trains.

Really? You think our trains compare to New York's, which can span well over 200 metres?

I love the Skytrain system, but in terms of scale it's light years behind New York. Which is entirely fair, because Vancouver and British Columbia have nowhere near the demand nor the funding capacity.