Light Rail Vehicles - LRT, ICTS, Monorail, and more

[Canard]

So I'm standing at Bombardier's Millhaven testing facility, watching crews erect OCS catenary on the high-speed test track they built for Toronto's TR MOVIA sets... And can also see a monorail on the beam, and they're also shunting Kuala Lumpur ALRT MK 3 sets around on the LIM test track!

Pics a bit later.

[Canard]

Here are some photos from Bombardier's Millhaven test facility!

   
Here's the Western end of the "L" shaped "TR/Movia" test track.  Crews were busy installing OCS/Catenary poles, presumably for FLEXITY Freedom high-speed testing!

   
Here's the Southern end of the Monorail test track, with the OCS/Catenary poles being constructed in the background for the TR/Movia test track.

   
ICTS/ALRT Test Loop and control tower, with a Kuala Lumpur MK III train being towed out of the shops.

   
Another MK III vehicle destined for Kuala Lumpur.

   
Out back, unfortunately it looks like vandals got to the prototype MK III train.  The ICTS/ALRT test loop guideway is in the background.

[KevinL]

Probably the coldest weather those trains will see for the rest of their service life...

[Canard]

Here are some photos from Bombardier's Millhaven test facility!

...and Bombardier today just released this fantastic video showing the production of the KL Movia trains that I saw on the weekend!

By the way, I’ve been meaning to thank you for asking Bombardier on Twitter about the LRVs. I have not been surprised to see no response from them, but you’re still right to ask the question. It really seems like a quick response wouldn’t tax their staff too much. Unless they’re too busy drafting the next excuse for delay on the Toronto order.

You're very welcome - it's the least I can do. I'm their biggest fanboy but I'm also the most nervous about what's going to happen over the next 6 months or so with regard to train deliveries. I'm still very optimistic that they'll deliver on-time, no matter how bad the optics are to Toronto (they're going to have a fit if they see us getting trains while they're so far behind on their streetcar deliveries). I just wish they'd reply with something. The silence is nerve-wracking.

[kps]

Well, at least ION is standard gauge so we can always pick up some second-hand Tatras from Siberia.

[Canard]

Gross. FLEXITY Freedom is the best looking tram design ever. I would honestly lose all interest entirely in the project if they had bought anything other than these. Everything else is so... Aseptic. Sterile. Unwelcoming. Bombardier has always had the best design language and care with regard to interior design as well - beautiful futuristic panel moldings and accents in just the right places. We are really in for a treat with these.

Siemens and Alstom stuff that is out there is just... It feels like it's designed to be washed down with a hose each night.

(And yes, I know how ridiculous this sounds to those who only have a passing interest in this or who's interest level ends at the service function of the system, but as a train fan first and foremost, I really don't care about where it goes or whatever - I've always just been happy to get a train in my backyard that I can go ride every couple of days for fun. I know I'm a minority and at the complete opposite end of the spectrum for what most people discuss here.)

[SammyOES]

Hah, as a previous NYC resident - I find the idea of a train that gets hosed out every night pretty appealing.

[JoeKW]

(And yes, I know how ridiculous this sounds to those who only have a passing interest in this or who's interest level ends at the service function of the system, but as a train fan first and foremost, I really don't care about where it goes or whatever - I've always just been happy to get a train in my backyard that I can go ride every couple of days for fun. I know I'm a minority and at the complete opposite end of the spectrum for what most people discuss here.)

I feel like you would be into G-Scale outdoor model trains.  Am I right?

[insider]

Gross. FLEXITY Freedom is the best looking tram design ever. I would honestly lose all interest entirely in the project if they had bought anything other than these. Everything else is so... Aseptic. Sterile. Unwelcoming. Bombardier has always had the best design language and care with regard to interior design as well - beautiful futuristic panel moldings and accents in just the right places. We are really in for a treat with these.

What do you think of the Flexity 2? Do you know when is it supposed to start production, and for where?

[Canard]

I feel like you would be into G-Scale outdoor model trains.  Am I right?

Close - but even geekier! For a couple of years I've been tinkering around with building a backyard AGT system. I think if I pull it off I'll be the only person in the world with one... I even got approval from the City of Kitchener for a "600 mm wide concrete garden path"

What do you think of the Flexity 2? Do you know when is it supposed to start production, and for where?

FLEXITY 2 is a European product - Freedom is the North-American variant with some changes focused more on differences between operations in Europe and North America. I was thinking Gold Coast was the only customer (G:link) and forgot about Blackpool. The Wikipedia article gives a pretty good overview. Keep in mind the name only designates the chassis and core design - the exterior is totally customizable per customer, so the tram in the photo above is just a concept photo, not one that any particular city has gone with. I'm personally not really a fan of any of the designs - G:link's is the best of the bunch, but I hate that teardrop shaped window in the driver's cab...

[JoeKW]

Wow, that's so much geekier than I could have possibly imagined. Good on you. I look forward to seeing it in Google Maps satellite view.

[DKsan]

I actually like the look of Brussels Flexity Outlook cars, the ones used in Vancouver during the Olympics.

And I understand why we really couldn't have high-floor operations (stations have to be massive because of wheelchair ramp angles), but I'm a fan of the Bombardier Flexity Swift 5000 in the Greater Manchester Metrolink system. They have such a cute design. That's also the system that really showcases the flexibility of LRT technology and routing, I think. I always supported LRT options, but I really understood it after riding that system.

EDIT: Coincidentally, the Greater Manchester ticket machines are built by the same company that's building the easyGO fare card system here.

[Canard]

Another beautiful video by Luke Starkenburg shows off Chongqing Metro Line 3 (Heavy Monorail). Try doing grade changes or turns like that with Light Rail or Heavy Metro - not a chance!

[Drake]

I learned something new today. I had no idea there was a test area at Millhaven. When I think of Millhaven, I had only thought of the prison there.

[Canard]

It has a rich history!  It was built in the late 70's by the Provincial Crown Corporation UTDC for developing the Linear Induction Motor propulsion system that ICTS (Vancouver Skytrain, etc.) uses.  It has expanded over the years and now has test tracks for 4 different technologies that Bombardier offers (Monorail, Heavy Metro, Light Metro/LIM, and Streetcar/LRV).  I won't lie, it would sort of be my dream job to work there, if we ever ended up moving Kingston-way...