[T3G]

Most series 8 coaches are approaching 17 years old, 17 years has been the exact amount of time between the series 1, 2, and 6 coaches first and second rebuilds (for series 6 this would instead be between new build and first rebuild), the second rebuild being the most recent done. This has been standard for a while now.

Sure, but there's also also a decent chunk of the Series 8 cars that are still only 11 years old. Difficult to imagine how they justify refurbishing cars from 2014 while the series 3s, which were done in 2005-2011, aren't on the radar for refurbishment as yet. There doesn't appear to be any kind of logical strategy that I can see.

If anything, start modifying the coaches to work with level platforms, something that seems to keep be pushed off and forgotten about, and the longer it takes the more station platforms will have to be modified after being built or rebuilt. Is this is something that has actually been designated as the responsibility of ONExpress I wouldn't know.

How do you modify the coaches to work with level platforms when there are currently no level platforms in the network? Once you make the switch it will be impossible to get from a low level platform into a high level coach, so it doesn't surprise me that there's been no moves on that front. Quite frankly I think they've dug themselves into a hole with this one, Metrolinx are not competent enough to manage this kind of switchover.

 

[crs1026]

How do you modify the coaches to work with level platforms when there are currently no level platforms in the network? Once you make the switch it will be impossible to get from a low level platform into a high level coach, so it doesn't surprise me that there's been no moves on that front. Quite frankly I think they've dug themselves into a hole with this one, Metrolinx are not competent enough to manage this kind of switchover.

I can't imagine either ML or Onxpress even writing a plan for level boarding right now. Staffing up, construction, electrification.... they have enough irons in the fire. Maybe once the system has transitioned and is operating stably under the new regime, maybe.

- Paul

 

[nfitz]

How do you modify the coaches to work with level platforms when there are currently no level platforms in the network?

Don't the GO trains at Weston and Bloor use the UPE part of the station? (you'd think I'd remember, given I've stood on the high level waiting for UPE when a GO train pulls in).

 

[crs1026]

Don't the GO trains at Weston and Bloor use the UPE part of the station? (you'd think I'd remember, given I've stood on the high level waiting for UPE when a GO train pulls in).

No, UP uses the high platform and GO uses the low platform. BTW the new 4th track platform at Weston does not have a UP high platform area.

- Paul

 

[nfitz]

No, UP uses the high platform and GO uses the low platform. BTW the new 4th track platform at Weston does not have a UP high platform area.

Interesting.

The step from the accessibility platform to the train doesn't look that bad to me, when the ramp isn't deployed.

What is this guy standing on?

 

[T3G]

Interesting.

The step from the accessibility platform to the train doesn't look that bad to me, when the ramp isn't deployed.

What is this guy standing on?

That's a pretty compressed perspective. Here is one which tells a more accurate story:

GO Transit rail services - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

He is standing on the low level platform. The accessibility platform is set back from the train - if it wasn't, they wouldn't need someone to set down a ramp to bridge the gap.

 

[nfitz]

He is standing on the low level platform. The accessibility platform is set back from the train - if it wasn't, they wouldn't need someone to set down a ramp to bridge the gap.

Interesting. I should pay more attention to the platform.

Though I don't know why the platform wouldn't stick out more. The train doesn't seem to have problems passing the UPE platforms.

 

[T3G]

Interesting. I should pay more attention to the platform.

Though I don't know why the platform wouldn't stick out more. The train doesn't seem to have problems passing the UPE platforms.

I believe it has something to do with the aerodynamic profile of freight trains, that certain wide cars swaying at speed would slam into the high platforms.

Though I'm not sure what the solution is if GO transitions one day to level boarding. Mandatory speed limit in the station, perhaps.

 

[smallspy]

Though I don't know why the platform wouldn't stick out more. The train doesn't seem to have problems passing the UPE platforms.

Dynamic envelope. It needs to allow all sorts of equipment past, not just GO trains.

The UPX - and North American-standard high-level platforms - are outside of the dynamic envelope of the train, but only just. They need a little platform extension as well.

Dan

 

[crs1026]

It's worth recognizing, also, that while the high level platforms of the UK and other places may look attractive - some of their gaps are pretty wide, thanks to the age of the platforms and the variability in design of equipment over there. Especially the ones built on curves.
The end result if applied here may not meet peoples' expectations, especially considering the dynamic envelopes of North American equipment.

- Paul

 

[Voltz]

How do you modify the coaches to work with level platforms when there are currently no level platforms in the network?

A retractable ledge on the coaches has been mentioned, it would extend or retract as required depending on the platform.

 

[T3G]

A retractable ledge on the coaches has been mentioned, it would extend or retract as required depending on the platform.

Seems like a complex installation, it's no wonder they haven't got around to doing that.

 

[drum118]

A retractable ledge on the coaches has been mentioned, it would extend or retract as required depending on the platform.

You will find a number of systems in Europe use slide out gap plates on Trams/Trains for both low floor and high floor platforms. Ottawa used to have a flip up gap plate for the doors on the platforms on Line 2, but no idea if that is still the cases for the original platforms as well the new one.

 

[smallspy]

A retractable ledge on the coaches has been mentioned, it would extend or retract as required depending on the platform.

The easiest solution is to complete the raising of platforms half-by-half. As the improved half-platforms come online, start equipping the trainsets half-by-half as well. GO already does this - opening half of a train at a time - whenever any major platform construction is needed, and so there would really not be any new processes required to be introduced or taught.

It really doesn't need to be any more difficult than that. No need for movable, foldable steps (that need to first be engineered, then built and tested, and then installed).

Dan

 

[T3G]

Update for anyone who wants a photo of 249, the consist has had the cab swapped out for a Series 10

That makes this, what, the fourth time one of these coaches has been put on a train for a day or two and then taken away?