ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[trainspotter139]

It's 511. It has no numbers on it yet. By the looks and sounds of things they are taking it around the line to debug the new systems and to make sure they are in working order before they start the real testing of them soon. Especially since 512 should be in the region sometime today.

[KevinL]

[Canard]

This is great to see, considering testing was stalled South of basically Borden since the Mill & Hayward crossings were down for the count.

I'd be shocked if 512 actually arrived tonight (it was dark when I got home from work, so couldn't see), considering it was still in Millhaven yesterday. It sat rotting there for over a week - they really do have to dial in the expediency of CN with these deliveries if we want to have a hope of hitting December.

[trainspotter139]

This is great to see, considering testing was stalled South of basically Borden since the Mill & Hayward crossings were down for the count.

I'd be shocked if 512 actually arrived tonight (it was dark when I got home from work, so couldn't see), considering it was still in Millhaven yesterday.  It sat rotting there for over a week - they really do have to dial in the expediency of CN with these deliveries if we want to have a hope of hitting December.

It went through Brampton earlier today so it likely is in Lancaster yard by now

[Square]

[Canard]

Some lubricators are activated, but this is the first time in weeks (months?) an LRV has gone down here. My guess, based on rumblings is that 511 is allowed down here because the controls issues with CN and the two freight crossings at Ottawa/Mill and Hayward can be resolved with the FIE on 511. As such, the lubricators probably haven’t been optimized. There are dip switches inside that control how many axle counts are required per pump, and the duration of each pump. It’s nearly impossible to dial in that stuff when one vehicle goes by every several hours, only a few times a day.

When vehicles are going by every 15 minutes, they can dial it in within a few hours.

Until then, squealy squeal.

No sign of 512 at Lancaster (as expected).

[trainspotter139]

Some lubricators are activated, but this is the first time in weeks (months?) an LRV has gone down here. My guess, based on rumblings is that 511 is allowed down here because the controls issues with CN and the two freight crossings at Ottawa/Mill and Hayward can be resolved with the FIE on 511. As such, the lubricators probably haven’t been optimized. There are dip switches inside that control how many axle counts are required per pump, and the duration of each pump. It’s nearly impossible to dial in that stuff when one vehicle goes by every several hours, only a few times a day.

When vehicles are going by every 15 minutes, they can dial it in within a few hours.

Until then, squealy squeal.

No sign of 512 at Lancaster (as expected).

That's odd. Someone from the Facebook group saw it go through Guelph yesterday.

[jason897]

Some lubricators are activated, but this is the first time in weeks (months?) an LRV has gone down here. 

I suppose last time might have been Sept 18 when 506 and 509 both went down to Fairway?

I haven’t been watching things too closely since then. I wonder how far south they went with the 508/509 tandem that time when they were spotted on Duke...

[trainspotter139]

511 is out again today!

[ijmorlan]

Some lubricators are activated, but this is the first time in weeks (months?) an LRV has gone down here. 

I suppose last time might have been Sept 18 when 506 and 509 both went down to Fairway?

I haven’t been watching things too closely since then. I wonder how far south they went with the 508/509 tandem that time when they were spotted on Duke...

Speaking of lubricators, has anybody else noticed that the one immediately south of the switch in the Waterloo Town Square parking lot is actually in the crossing, leading to grease being spread all over the place by motor vehicles crossing the tracks? Poor placement!

[Canard]

511 is testing today (Sunday)!!!

I was driving a coworker home and we just passed it by Hayward, stopped in the curve, with techs out looking all over. The lights and arms at Block line were down, snarling traffic in all directions.

[plam]

What do people think the weekend testing means with respect to possible opening dates?

To me it seems like they haven't given up on a December start but it'll be tight; as in the previous updates, there is no slack time for things to go wrong, but it is feasible if everything goes right.

As December gets closer there are also fewer chances for things to go wrong.

[danbrotherston]

Indeed! That was my thinking as well.

[trainspotter139]

What do people think the weekend testing means with respect to possible opening dates?

To me it seems like they haven't given up on a December start but it'll be tight; as in the previous updates, there is no slack time for things to go wrong, but it is feasible if everything goes right.

As December gets closer there are also fewer chances for things to go wrong.

It means we're going to have to get used to seeing it on the weekends... and at 5 AM in the morning .... or 11 PM at night.... because that's what it's going to take to get this going for December

[Canard]

I think now that the first vehicle is ready with the FIE, they now have what they need to do the OT to get things wrapped up.

A (large!) crew of orange vests was working feverishly at the car dealership on Courtland (Shelley?), at the location of the MIA gates and yet-activated stoplights. I guess the expropriation settlement finally happened.