ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[kps]

I assumed some of Toronto's problems come from the customization of their streetcars.

I don't think there's any real evidence of that. In Europe, where they've been fairly successful, there are basically no two versions alike, with variations like Linz with their 900mm gauge and 11.6% grade. Reports put it down to poor quality from the ex-Concarril plant Sahagún, Mexico. If Bombardier really felt like delivering, they could move the work to one of the proven sites in Europe (instead of laying them off) or to CCF.

[Canard]

Went to Toronto today and used the beautiful afternoon to play around with a new lens and go for some FLEXITY Outlook rides on the 510/Spadina. Whenever I ride their new trains, I think about what it'll be like, here. They're just so fantastic. The fit and finish is beautiful, they ride so well, the design is gorgeous, especially the interior... just... so good. So excited!

[DHLawrence]

The only gripe I have about them is the electric bell. Just doesn't sound the same as the mechanical ones on the CLRVs.

[Canard]

It's better than the Siemens ones (which truncate the end of the sound!) but that's the first thing my other half said, too. He likes the older streetcars, and his favourite noise on them (aside from the UTDC rrrrrRRRRRRRRR chopper noise) is the bell. I personally don't like the bell as a warning at all, but I guess it's cute, nostalgic and immediately recognizable without being offensive - all good points for keeping it as a warning tone.

[kitborn]

Louisa D'Amato in today's Record

[timio]

Just noticed that the King/Union closure has been extended through May 2.

[GtwoK]

Which hopefully means it's accommodating the track installation too.

[Markster]

On the topic of track installation...
It sure is slow going on Charles St.

I walked through the Manulife underpass last night, and sure enough, there's now track there. But at the current rate, it's clear they're not able to do very much track at a time. It's going to be weeks before they're past Ontario St.

Looking into the tent, I could see that they are still prepping the rebar base.

[timio]

I saw a robin this morning, which means that spring is coming, and with it warmer temperatures which should speed things up a bit.

[Canard]

Trackwork is slower in the winter.  Remember, they have one crew come in, pour the curbs, then ~10 days of warmed curing. Then they pour the side filler blocks, then ~10 days of curing. Then lay and align the track, pour, 10 more days. In the summer with steady weather, this can happen in parallel at different staggered sections.  In the winter, limitations on building a reasonably sized tent for warming mean they happen serially, on the same section.

The "Manulife" track was exposed on February 18, or earlier - so they are making progress a little faster than you think.

[Markster]

Oh I know how "fast" it's going. And fully understand why.

I'm just impatient.

[Canard]

Me too! But sometimes I go out and look at where they're at and have a minor panic attack - like it's all happening too fast, and I can't keep up!

I am really going to miss all of this once it's all built and running. Like that Lisa D'Amoto article says, this is so exciting to witness and it's a once-in-a-lifetime transformation we're getting to see, and be a part of. I am so proud to live here!

[KevinL]

I took these Monday morning but some issues with my PC meant I couldn't get them posted till now.

Practical details of a concrete pour, with the tarp-tent situation: Just go in through the roof.

[DHLawrence]

(aside from the UTDC rrrrrRRRRRRRRR chopper noise)

I always hear a gas lawn mower when I hear them.

[timc]

I noticed a couple of new poles on the platform at R&T Park. These new ones are round, one at either end of the platform.