Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[WarrenC12]

Funny, the Olympic period wasn't enough of a "test"?

[twoNeurons]

Maybe they're testing to see how much of a difference the increased frequency actually makes?

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

Maybe they're testing to see how much of a difference the increased frequency actually makes?

+1. Hopefully the results will spur them to move the planned frequency increase up.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Originally Posted by cabotp

A calliper in theory could last for quite a long time. Although if debris gets inside they can start to seize up or leak. The pads are going to be changed regularly. The rotors can last a long time if the brakes do not over heat. Heat kills rotors. Considering most of the braking is done by the Linear induction motors and the calliper braking is only for a the last bit. I don't see how they could over heat all that much.

But a calliper shouldn't just fall off. The only way for that to happen is if the bolts were loose or they snapped off. There might have also been a crack in the mounting. But anything like that should have been easy to spot on the previous service. I'd be interested to know whether the pads had been recently changed and someone didn't torque down the calliper bolts enough.

Or it could have been over torqued, or it could have not had lock tite applied and vibrated out. There's a lot of possibilities. I take it you've done some form of maintenance engineering as well?

[cc85]

it only means one thing - that they are preparing to move up the introduction of reduced headways

[twoNeurons]

Maybe they'll figure out that the introduction of lower headways don't significantly affect anything, and determine that it's not worth the penalty.

Or maybe they'll publish their findings but state that since Translink doesn't have any money we can't do anything about it... unless there's some additional funding.

[Zassk]

There was yet another article about the Canada Line and capacity in the Thursday edition of one of the Richmond papers, and yet again Stephen Rees was quoted as stating that the only possible reason for crowding issues was the P3 agreement. I can't find the article online yet - perhaps it will be up in a few days.

[The_Henry_Man]

This is good news!! But what's most important is to extend that "peak hour service" to later in the evening.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

Maybe they'll figure out that the introduction of lower headways don't significantly affect anything, and determine that it's not worth the penalty.

Or maybe they'll publish their findings but state that since Translink doesn't have any money we can't do anything about it... unless there's some additional funding.

From one of the articles, it sounds like TransLink pays for a specified number of "runs" each day. The article also seemed to imply that TransLink could shuffle the distribution of those runs to cluster them differently during the day. So maybe they are seeing whether increased frequency is worth shuffling the timing of runs.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon

Or it could have been over torqued, or it could have not had lock tite applied and vibrated out. There's a lot of possibilities. I take it you've done some form of maintenance engineering as well?

I'm apprenticing to be a Commercial Transport Mechanic. I've been in the industry for 5 years. So I've done quite a few disc brake jobs. Yet I've never heard of a calliper falling off. I've seen callipers that are loose though.

You are correct that something might have been over torqued. Causing the bolt to be in the stages of being snapped and the vibration just added to and finished it off. Lock tite at least in when it comes to trucks is never used. So I don't see them using it on trains.

[usog]

On another note, anyone notice how more and more people are breaking open/using the emergency exits at skytrain stations? Of course the one at metrotown station has been used for a long time, and I've noticed the same at New Westminster station, and now at Surrey Central. They really should get working on renovating the stations...

[Waders]

Originally Posted by usog

On another note, anyone notice how more and more people are breaking open/using the emergency exits at skytrain stations? Of course the one at metrotown station has been used for a long time, and I've noticed the same at New Westminster station, and now at Surrey Central. They really should get working on renovating the stations...

The stair gate at Metotown station platform was removed months ago and the alarm was not working or disabled for years. So in practice it is just another exit. I use the emergency exit all the time as it is much faster than the elevator and the other stair.

As for the station renovation, I hope some of the Faregate/Smart Card station modification money will be spent on improving the passenger exit, otherise the faregate and ticket machine level will become a chokepoint.

[mr.x]

I was in the Bay when it happened, there was a major but shortlived blackout in Downtown Vancouver today...both SkyTrain lines in Downtown were affected.

I saw a few people make a run for it out the doors with Bay merchandise when the lights went out. :p

[Waders]

Around 6:30pm? No wonder the Metrotown skytrain station was so jam packed for awhile and no train arrived.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Waders

Around 6:30pm? No wonder the Metrotown skytrain station was so jam packed for awhile and no train arrived.

I think it was around 6 pm, maybe a few minutes earlier.


There are only so many times when you get to wander around the Bay in pitch black.

[Waders]

Right, around 6pm. I was surprised how quickly the Metrotown station platform filled up with passengers within a few minutes. Luckily 2 4-cars MKII trains eventually arrived.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by Waders

Right, around 6pm. I was surprised how quickly the Metrotown station platform filled up with passengers within a few minutes. Luckily 2 4-cars MKII trains eventually arrived.

I'm guessing lolll...i don't think i looked at the time.


edit: according to the Province, the blackout happened at aproximately 5.20 and continued until 5.45.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by mr.x

I'm guessing lolll...i don't think i looked at the time.
edit: according to the Province, the blackout happened at aproximately 5.20 and continued until 5.45.

I didn't look at the time either.
According to CBC News, the blackouts started about 5:30 p.m and regular service resumed about 6:30 p.m.
It looks like Canada Line was not affected, which was a good thing considering its platform length is so short.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by mr.x

There are only so many times when you get to wander around the Bay in pitch black.

I'm really surprised that they're not required to have emergency lighting in a public area like that...

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

I'm really surprised that they're not required to have emergency lighting in a public area like that...

They do....I was in the basement in the back of the men's section...it took a few mins for the emergency lights to go on, but I know that usually they're suppose to come on within a few secs after the power goes out.