ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Bob_McBob]

I assume that's either a misquote or just a flub from Galloway. The project agreement is quite specific about the burn-in test parameters.

FWIW I tweeted to him and he replied to say he must be mistaken if the project agreement says 600km.

https://twitter.com/tomjgalloway14/statu...0589780992

[trainspotter139]

2/2 - Thursday, January 11, 2018:


Before too long, it was finally time to head out into the real world.


Waterloo Regional Police Service was on hand to help manage traffic.  It was interesting to see that only the Eastbound lanes of traffic were stopped with the railway arms - I can't think of any other place I've ever seen that where only half of the crossing arms come down.  It makes perfect sense, but in my mind, I guess I'd just always pictured that "all" traffic would be stopped, here.


Heading across Northfield.


Best job in the world right now!


Approaching Colby/Conestogo.

I couldn't stick around for the rest of the afternoon (I do have a job besides getting excited about LRT, if you can imagine ), but I understand that 502 was pulled up and down twice (both NB and SB tracks) before returning to the yard later in the afternoon.

Interesting. WRPS brought out the Pride cruiser for this one.

[panamaniac]

2/2 - Thursday, January 11, 2018:


Before too long, it was finally time to head out into the real world.


Waterloo Regional Police Service was on hand to help manage traffic.  It was interesting to see that only the Eastbound lanes of traffic were stopped with the railway arms - I can't think of any other place I've ever seen that where only half of the crossing arms come down.  It makes perfect sense, but in my mind, I guess I'd just always pictured that "all" traffic would be stopped, here.


Heading across Northfield.


Best job in the world right now!


Approaching Colby/Conestogo.

I couldn't stick around for the rest of the afternoon (I do have a job besides getting excited about LRT, if you can imagine ), but I understand that 502 was pulled up and down twice (both NB and SB tracks) before returning to the yard later in the afternoon.

What's the crenellated stuff around the train in those pics?

[timio]

Used for testing clearance.

[Canard]

It’s common practice for roller-coaster pull through testing, which reveals clearance issues.





I can think of a handful of rides where structural modifications were required after the fact due to a failure during these tests... Millennium Force’s first overbank turn probably being the scariest!



(That scallop in the one support arm was added after the ride was built, but before opening. I think about it every time I ride!)

[KevinT]

[KevinT]

Two clearance issues caught in this video, first with the construction barrel at the end of the curb (not a permanent fixture) and then an issue with the "LRT This Lane" sign on the pole at the far side of the intersection.

None of these involved the actual vehicle, just the 'foam fingers' of the clearance rig.  These do however represent a worst case envelope that allows for expansion, contraction, and a little bit of rock and roll, so that sign will have to be dealt with.

[KevinT]

[KevinT]

[JJTL]

Awesome videos, Kevin and Canard! Thank you so much for sharing.

[Pheidippides]

Update on Ion art installations coming 19-Jan-2018.

[Canard]

Fun to look back at clips like this: 2 years ago, Kansas City was doing the same thing we did yesterday.

[Canard]

Update on Ion art installations coming 19-Jan-2018.

Darn, was hoping there would be some actual info in there. Dying to know when my birbs are coming.

[ijmorlan]

Update on Ion art installations coming 19-Jan-2018.

Darn, was hoping there would be some actual info in there.  Dying to know when my birbs are coming.

Me too. I’m interested to see just what birbs look like — I’ve never heard of them before!

Also I just wanted to say, way to debunk on Twitter the “can’t deliver to my business” person! Now if only they would interview you to provide that information right in the newscast.

[Bob_McBob]

Fun to look back at clips like this:  2 years ago, Kansas City was doing the same thing we did yesterday.

It's striking how much more positive and informative this is than anything CTV has ever broadcast about ION.