Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by DKaz

They have the 26. Eliminating local bus service means having to walk 1.2 km to a bus stop like I do, then they can complain.

I have to walk 2.6

Although there is a bus, just with its frequencies there are times where you'll get there sooner if you walk rather than wait for the bus. Also the bus stops running at 7PM

[nname]

We got a new pink SkyTrain line starting March 30th


(info)

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by nname

We got a new pink SkyTrain line starting March 30th

I'm surprised they don't combine this with the overflow train that runs between Commercial and downtown. Having two short-turn services seems like it would limit the frequencies they'll be able to deliver for trains that run the rest of the Expo line.

Perhaps the problem is that there won't be enough open platform available at Main Street to handle a long train.

[Mac Write]

DAMN I really need to get there to take photos to preserve history, just too bad due to my cerebral palsy it's extremely painful to stand to take all the photos needed.

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

I'm surprised they don't combine this with the overflow train that runs between Commercial and downtown. Having two short-turn services seems like it would limit the frequencies they'll be able to deliver for trains that run the rest of the Expo line.

Perhaps the problem is that there won't be enough open platform available at Main Street to handle a long train.

I'm pretty sure it's not unlike the overflow train, just modified to run on a daily basis.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Perhaps the problem is that there won't be enough open platform available at Main Street to handle a long train.

As xd_1771 mentioned, it would be the same route as the [typical] short-turn rush hour relief train, but the Main St. Station platform would only hold a short train.

Does anyone know if the short turn rush hour train will also continue, but by-pass Main St. Station? Or will this shuttle take its place for the duration?

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

DAMN I really need to get there to take photos to preserve history, just too bad due to my cerebral palsy it's extremely painful to stand to take all the photos needed.

Whatever remains of the old station has already been archived but I'm itching to rig my window mount and record a nonstop ride from Stadium to Broadway.

[Xrayal]

Found a RFP for a paint booth for the OMC2 Building. Here's a link to BC bid.
Quotes:

"Assembly of booth and Installation of Equipment - November 7, 2014"

"Mark I Refurbishment. BCRTC intends to refurbish Mark I vehicles in the OMC2 Building. Refurbishment of the Mark I vehicles is schedules to start in April 2014 in the rail lane adjacent (east-side) to the proposed location for the preparation/ spray booth. Refurbishment work will be undertaken by BCRTC personnel and include the installation of new floors, new lights, new linear induction motors, new vehicle on-board computers, new fans and other electronics."

"Note: BCRTC intends to use the rail tracks east of the booth to refurbish Mark I and Mark II vehicles."

"...OMC2 building to prepare and repaint the exteriors of Mark I and Mark II rail transportation vehicles"

"BCRTC will prepare and repaint some of its fleet of rolling stock..."

How I understand it. Especially the underlined "some"

They are not planning on refurbishing the Mark II right now. However want the equipment to be able to in the future.

So are the Mark I's we seeing with new livery not the final product then?

[Mac Write]

They were a test run (though why they painted 6 cars is probably for the 6-car trains most likely).

[MIPS]

Well that explains why the current refurbs are just paint only. Man it's going to be weird hearing a Mk I without that classic racket.

• Video Link

[xd_1771]

^ Makes sense. I saw them in a six-car config one, it looked absolutely beautiful from the outside. Nowadays, they're just put with the other cars - often 2x "refurb" + 2x "non refurb". But, the fact is, not all of the cars have had complete refurbishments - many of them still have the original lighting rather than the new LED lighting. 067-068 still has the usual seating arrangement. It indeed seems that the car couplets were each partially refurbished for a pilot.

[GeeCee]

err, nm malformed video url, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_kmLz7ZhDY works

[Meraki]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

err, nm malformed video url, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_kmLz7ZhDY works

Yeah, it's basically "will miss this" (different video, better sound)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYsOUUgb8Fg#t=51

Though there's no indication that they'll be changing the LIMs in the Mk I from a staged voltage increase (giving us those distinctive 'gear' sounds) to a smooth voltage increase (the more wooshing sound, as heard in the Mk II and Mk II.5)

[MIPS]

My assumption was that the staged voltage LIM's went out of production in the 90's and only the newer and quieter version was still manufactured. If they're replacing the computers and probably the inverters I don't see why they wouldn't.

[Meraki]

Originally Posted by MIPS

My assumption was that the staged voltage LIM's went out of production in the 90's and only the newer and quieter version was still manufactured. If they're replacing the computers and probably the inverters I don't see why they wouldn't.

Ah. If that's the case, I'll miss it.

[LeftCoaster]

Posted a hypothetical skytrain transit map over in the fantasies thread, check it out:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6497929&postcount=886

[DKaz]

Strange. I'm at Columbia Square just east of New West Stn and noticed a two car MKI train whizzing by eastbound. Then another one followed right after.

[quobobo]

Looks like the Main St. Skytrain shuttle is starting on March 30.

[TransitFreak]

While clicking the link above to read about Train2main, I decided to look elsewhere for skytrain related info, and read about the power rail replacement. Maybe this has been asked before, but why does it appear that they are not replacing the power rail section between Stadium-Chinatown and Nanaimo? Is this scope of work supposed to be contemplated as part of the Evergreen line upgrade (don't know how it can be), is there another phase that's supposed to be announced, or, conspiracy thinkers rejoice, there's some reason not to invest $$ on this portion for some unknown reason? (I kid about the conspiracy part). As far as I can tell they look to still be the old power rails in that section, and one would think that this section would have the most load demand given the transfer to Millenium/Evergreen line.

[red-paladin]

I thought that that length was replaced when the Millennium line was built?