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[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Yes, but as I recall, doesn't WMATA comprise of 4 to 5 counties and several cities? With that logic, shouldn't the state that fund for some buses get those while the other gets the rest or something like that? I mean, WMATA is kind of a unique TA.

WMATA is for all practice purposes is a cooperative. The member jurisdiction make a funding contribution for the services they want. WMATA provides those services from the pool of assets they have. Like Metrorail those assets are moved around on an as needed basses.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Does anyone know. I see these stickers on newer PRTC Gillig Advantages as well as FFX D40LFRs and XD40s.

Found this: New Metro "Mini-Hybrid" Buses Make Cincinnati Debut: Metro Cincinnati

New Metro "Mini-Hybrid" Buses Make Cincinnati Debut
May 7, 2012 - News Releases 2012

CINCINNATI – Metro's first five new "mini-hybrid" buses will go into service this week.

Despite its name, the new mini-hybrids are not small buses nor are they traditional hybrid buses. The new 40-foot buses have an advanced thermal cooling system technology which provides benefits, including:

•  Fuel economy improvement up to 10%
•  Up to 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
•  Reduction in maintenance costs
•  Increased safety through the elimination of hydraulic fluid leaks

The term "mini-hybrid" is used by the manufacturer, Engineered Machined Products (EMP), to refer to the advanced "electric" fan cooling system that replaces the hydraulically driven fan. EMP's innovative technology provides benefits similar to that of a traditional hybrid, but with additional advantages, including:

•  A cost savings of about $240,000 per bus compared to a traditional hybrid
•  Efficiencies, which save Metro about $2,000 a year per bus in fuel savings and improved operational performance

Thanks to federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds received last year, the new mini-hybrids will help Metro replace older buses that are past their 12-year useful life. Metro is one of the first few transit agencies to have this technology approved by Clean Fuels Grants, which traditionally has only approved hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles. Metro has ordered 40 more mini-hybrid buses, which will go into service in the in the next several months.

"These new buses are an exciting addition for our fleet," said Daron Brown, Metro Quality Assurance Manager. "The benefits from this new technology can save money and provide environmentally friendly transportation alternatives for our riders."

Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.

###

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Does anyone know if the silver line is running yet? If so, has anyone rode it yet?

Opened at noon 07 26 2014, 51K boarded the trains over that weekend at the 5 new stations.

My observations, description and pictures can be seen at DCMP 07 26 2014.

This forum is more bus orientated then rail orientated, for the musing of others on things Metrorail Silver line opening, go to railroad.net Phase I of the Silver line open and railroad.net N Route Silver Line Metrorail ROW now in Revenue operatiion, for all things Metrorail with a little DC streetcar and Purple line thrown in go to railroad.net Washington MetroRail.

[http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5731]

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5731

For immediate release: 06 23 2014 11:01 AM EDT

Metro announces Silver Line opening date
Rail service to begin at noon Saturday, July 26

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles today announced the opening date for Silver Line service.

"We have set the opening date for the Silver Line as Saturday, July 26," said Sarles.  "The five new Silver Line stations will open to customers at noon, and the first Silver Line train will depart Wiehle-Reston East, bound for Largo Town Center, at that time."

The announcement of an opening date follows two weeks of progress by the Airports Authority and their contractor to resolve open work items.  Sarles noted that there are still remaining items — such as obtaining Certificates of Occupancy — that are expected to be resolved prior to the opening date.

Silver Line trains will operate between Reston and Largo at the same frequency as most other lines.  During rush hours, trains will run every 6 minutes; at off-peak times, trains will run every 12 to 20 minutes.  Five new stations will be added to the system: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East.

To finalize employee familiarization and confirm schedules, Metro plans to conduct a week of "simulated service," starting Sunday, July 20.  During the service simulation, Silver Line trains will run on the system without carrying passengers to or from the five new stations. However, the "simulation" trains will carry passengers between East Falls Church and Largo Town Center.

As a result of Silver Line service, riders at stations from East Falls Church to Court House will see trains arrive more frequently at all times, and riders from Rosslyn to Stadium-Armory will notice more frequent service outside rush hours.  On the Blue Line, trains will operate every 12 minutes at all times of the day, and during rush hours, trains at Vienna, Dunn Loring and West Falls Church, will arrive and depart every 6 minutes.

Riders can check fares and travel times, get station information and learn more about the project by visiting silverlinemetro.com.

Metro took control of the first phase of the Silver Line less than a month ago, on May 27.  The milestone, known as the "Operational Readiness Date" (ORD), marked the point where care and control of the line was formally transferred from the Airports Authority to Metro.

###

Bring your SmarTrip card as rides will not be free.

Saw one of these heading eastbound on US-50 on the eastern shore this evening. destination sign was dark, vehicle was displaying Texas tags. 


Freightliner cutaway.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Any idea how many are no longer on Property?

I thing Guardian Centers got at least 6, they blew up one. I think A. P. Hill has 4.

WMATA also has 4 in the Carmen E. Turner Training and Maintenance Facility.

 

[US army builds fake city to shoot at during training]

US army builds fake city to shoot at during training (Fort A.P. Hill Virginia)
The American army has built an entire fake city including a school, a mosque and a football stadium
Lucy Kinder
02 13 2014
11:54 GMT
telegraph.co.uk

The Guardian Centers down in Georgia acquired some 1k cars from WMATA for the same purpose.

[No your eyes are not deceiving you.]

No your eyes are not deceiving you.

Saw them from the Beltway. When I went behind USDA to get a closer look I noticed the 5th car. Was unable to see the number.



I am not even going to speculate as to why it is there.

This is pure speculation on my part but I believe the 5th 7k car is the first car of the initial option of 64 cars. I base that on the fact that the prototypes testing and evaluation program was scheduled to run about 3 months. It began shortly after the prototype set arrived on the property back in late December 2013 early January 2014.

More pictures at cambronj.blogspot.com Greenbelt Test Track and Commissioning Facility.

PS

WMATA's connection to the common carrier railroad network at Greenbelt Yard is now fully restored. Looks like it has seen traffic recently. I think the track work contractor that did the Silver line used the connection to bring in take out their track work building equipment.

Spotted Maryland Transit Administration 179-C on the eastern shore heading westbound on US-50 west of Salisbury displaying TRAINING in the destination sign boxes. 

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Anyone know which yard they are currently stored at?

The acceptance and testing program is based at Greenbelt Yard, when not out on the railroad they are stored in Greenbelt Yard. All of the testing is being done between Collage Park and Greenbelt.

Are they being tested on the Silver line?

It would make no sense to conduct tests on the cars along the Silver line because the signaling and train control system has not been certified by the contractor and has not been certified by WMATA's start up team as OK for passenger revenue service.

[WMATA Press Release]

WMATA Press Release

For immediate release: January 3, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Metro to welcome first 7000-series train
Testing period to begin immediately

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

On Monday, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Senator Ben Cardin, Governor Martin O'Malley, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other officials will join Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles to welcome the arrival of the first 7000-series train and a new era of safety, comfort and convenience for Metrorail riders.  The modern cars will fulfill a critical National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation by replacing Metro's oldest, the 1000-series, while also adding train capacity.

The first train will be tested for several months before the new cars enter passenger service.
WHAT    Arrival of first 7000-series train for testing on Metro
Photo opportunity, tour of train, brief remarks

WHO

Senator Barbara Mikulski
Senator Ben Cardin
Congressman Steny Hoyer
Congresswoman Donna Edwards
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff
NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman
Governor Martin O'Malley
Mayor Vincent C. Gray
Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker, III
Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae
Metro Board Chair Tom Downs
Kawasaki CEO Hiroji Iwasaki
Metro General Manager & CEO Richard Sarles

WHERE

Greenbelt Metrorail Station (platform level)

WHEN

Monday, January 6 at 10:30 a.m.

NOTES

Members of the news media planning to attend should RSVP in
advance by calling (202) 962-1051 or emailing metronews @ wmata.com.

This event will take place outdoors.  Please dress appropriately.

###

Metro to Debut Newest Rail Cars
The Associated Press
06 06 2014 0644 EDT
WNEW FM 99.1

According to the above Associated Press story it will be more then just a photo opp, it will also be a "ceremonial first ride".

I would love to be there for this one.

WMATA might leave them at the platform for a while for the public to see after the dignitaries have left to get out of the cold.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
And these are also 75 foot cars right?

Yes. The dimension. (width, height and length) is the same as the existing rolling stock. The reason why is because all of the maintenance infrastructure in the shops (servicing bays, lifts, hoists, turntables for removing trucks and inspection pits) is configured for married pairs with 75' long cars.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
You know, I never understood why train cars are arranged like that.

Very simple, cost. It is far cheaper to spread the various subsystems across multiple cars then it is to pack all of them in each car. No need to put a hotel power inverter in each car if the same one can provide hotel power for 2 cars. No need to put an air compressor to pump up the brake reservoir in each car if one can pump up the reservoirs in more then one car. No need to put the various subsystem needed for automatic train control in each car if you never intend to operate single car trains. One of the reasons why WMATA went with "married quad" was to eliminate the costs related to maintaining the redundant cabs and the various subsystems need to support it, they also did it to increase passenger capacity.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
Okay, that make sense. So I'm going to assume this will be a four car Train. I know the 7000s are going to be like an A-B-A-B|A-B-A-B set.

In the strictest sense they are not A-B+A-B or A-B+B-A sets as various subsystem are shared across all of the cars in the 4 cars of the set.

Like their married pair cousins they share various subsystem across both cars in the set. They are more like A-C+C-B. The A car has one group of subsystems, the B car has another group of subsystems and the C car has a third group of subsystems. All of the subsystems must be present to allow operation in revenue service.

This does complicate matters somewhat in that an A-C+C-A set can not be operated in revenue service because it lacks the subsystems of a B car, the same would apply to a B-C+C-B set.

This is why they can not be coupled into 6 car revenue trains.

[Chargerdodge9]

Chargerdodge9
So, is tis going to be an 8-car test train?

That what I thought at first until someone in another forum said he recalled that the first set would remain in Nebraska as reference during production.