[PRCo] Re: New__Railway__Properties__--__Portland--OR___MAX

[Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // James B. Holland]

Good Morning!

This will be a series of emails on Portland, OR, Metro Area Express  
(MAX)  light rail  --  if not interested, please act accordingly  
(delete key somewhere!)

I am Very Much Impressed with construction details on  MAX.

Floating Overhead suspension significantly decreases the tension 
necessary to keep the overhead taut and allows for expansion and 
contraction over a very long distance as opposed to span to span with 
typical span wire construction.       Not how a wire is anchored to the 
overhead fore and aft of the span and this same wire then is suspended 
from a pulley in the span to allow for movement and expansion // 
contraction.

Section Insulator suspended from two spans but it still floats  --  the 
double span allows for stability of insulator and keeps it parallel to / 
in same plane as track below!

Each rail in pavement has rubber on either side of it for sound 
absorption.       Here at the X-Over the gap between concrete and rail 
is filled by asphalt But about 18-inches outside the perimeter of the 
X-Over and turnout is a ring of rubber.       Complaints in Portland is 
that the rail cars are  TOO  Quiet  --  not a few fatalities.

The last photo shows the truck under the Bombardier cars - chevron 
springing is in same position as spring pot on B3  --  ultra smooth 
ride.       Rode the line at night and Knew there was single track, 
siding, and double track stub terminal  --  out in the Woods  --  
Literally  --  but couldn't tell where those turnouts were until the 
next day when I Could See Them.       Hit the points head on at about 
25-mph as well  --  Very Smooth Ride.

Line is now extended west to Hillsboro - line to west is longer - two 
lines through routed so you can get on one train and ride the loop of 
the system there.       More is // has opened - Airport extension - line 
to near Vancouver Washington and the downtown 'streetcar.'


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: New Railway Properties
Date: 	Wed, 15 Mar 2006 02:55:52 -0800
From: 	Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // 
James B. Holland <PRCoPCC at P-R-Co.com>
To: 	pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
References: 	<20060314221918.56774.qmail at web54713.mail.yahoo.com>



-------  [Snipped]  -------


Saw and rode Portland, OR, just after it opened in 1986 and it is The 
Only System to which I wish to make a return trip.       Innovative 
system, well constructed, excellent equipment from Bombardier, Very 
Interesting Lines, Beautiful city, wonderful place to live.       Their 
new Siemens low-floor lrvs  (L-o-w-e-r   Than  PRCo Jones Cars!!!)  also 
have a tendency to hunt  --  I rode them not long after the westside 
extension to Hillsboro opened and while the equipment was new, it had a 
tendency to hunt.       Do  NOT  like the low floor equipment  --  maybe 
I shall when I am 'Old'  --  when I rode Siemens in Portland I rode in 
the standard floor section above the power truck  --  W--A--Y    too  
vulnerable in low-floor section from someone who avoids signals and runs 
a grade crossing  --  tractor trailer and low-floor lrv at a grade 
crossing would be One Heinous Mess!       But I haven't been back since 
the new streetcar system opened and I had liked to go every couple 
years.       Should be able to make that trip more often now.       Had 
a beautiful house picked out up there  --  but Tri-Met  (Local transit 
authority which operates MAX rail  --  Metro Area Express)  took over 
the property and razed the house!       Now part of their maintenance 
facilities for the East side yard near Gresham!




Jim__Holland


I__Like__Ike.......And__PCCs!!

down with pantographs ---- UP___WITH___TROLLEYPOLES!!!!!!!


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