ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Spokes]

It's amazing what a story there is behind that little square, and just how much trouble it has caused between so many parties.

I've seen reference to that spot a hundred times, and I've never asked....what's supposed to be there???

[KevinL]

It's amazing what a story there is behind that little square, and just how much trouble it has caused between so many parties.

I've seen reference to that spot a hundred times, and I've never asked....what's supposed to be there???

The 'specialist equipment' that has been the centre of a lot of discussion in the past several months. The control components that Bombardier does not supply, because they interact with the trackside systems (signaling, etc).

[Canard]

...and more specifically, who was supposed to supply said equipment, and when.

...but, y’know, It’s All Bombardier’s Fault™️.

[Pheidippides]

It makes me wonder why none of the local reporters have stopped ask themselves "why is the specialized equipment only being installed now when have been receiving fully assembled vehicles for over a year now?"

[KevinT]

It makes me wonder why none of the local reporters have stopped ask themselves "why is the specialized equipment only being installed now when have been receiving fully assembled vehicles for over a year now?"

Last December I sent an e-mail to Ben Spurr, transportation writer at The Star, to ask if he could dig into it since he's done a number of well researched pieces on Bombardier, the TTC, and Metrolinx.  Presumably he has the sources to come up with something good, and while I know he covers the GTA I thought that with the Metrolinx angle and a bunch of Star subscribers in our region he might just go for it anyway.  He didn't take the bait, I didn't even get a reply.  Unfortunately there's not a local reporter I have enough trust in to do the proper level of research. 

[Viewfromthe42]

What, you don't think Jeff Outhit would love to do a deep dive into this?

[Spokes]

It makes me wonder why none of the local reporters have stopped ask themselves "why is the specialized equipment only being installed now when have been receiving fully assembled vehicles for over a year now?"

I think you're giving local reporters FAR too much credit.

[Square]

We got some evening train movements! Still no sign of all the vehicles that should have the specialized equipment here(not counting 511)

[timio]

Saw 505 heading south at Laurier Waterloo Park around 640

[KevinT]

We got some evening train movements!  Still no sign of all the vehicles that should have the specialized equipment here(not counting 511)  

The more you try to debug at once the harder it is. As disheartening as it feels to us, the smart thing is for them to debug the trackside communications systems and software with just 511's equipment, then roll out the rest when there's no more bugs to be found with it.

[trainspotter139]

We got some evening train movements!  Still no sign of all the vehicles that should have the specialized equipment here(not counting 511)  

The more you try to debug at once the harder it is. As disheartening as it feels to us, the smart thing is for them to debug the trackside communications systems and software with just 511's equipment, then roll out the rest when there's no more bugs to be found with it.

This... You really don't want 6 trains disabled by the equipment all at the same time.

[Square]

Thank you for the replies. Just the longer it takes, I get sad that the December start is in jeopardy. They will still have to equip 5 more vehicles here (505-509)

[Canard]

[KevinT]

More night testing footage. So shiny!

[trainspotter139]

More night testing footage.  So shiny!

I was wondering how long it would take before they did their night training. This new step forward opens a whole lot of time for them to do testing

Edit: maybe too shiny. Perhaps we should have gone with a matte finish instead lest we blind those with astigmatism (like myself) with all that shiny.