[PRCo] Re: The "Light Rail ex-1600 1700s"

[TEP]

Not so Boris. When I plug my laptop into a car I get an extensive 
diagnosis and most faults are shown immediately. Of course some items 
such as running gear and current collectors still require visual 
inspection with the help of line-side gauges and sound measurement -- 
that tell you if a truck is making abnormal noises or the pantograph is 
out-of-alignment.

I have no sympathy (except for impoverished third world operators) for 
parts shortage. The computerized maintenance and parts records for the 
last decade will show exactly what parts -- whether plug-and-play 
line-replaceable units or otherwise -- are likely needed over the next 
few months. This allows us, on the better systems, to work with 8-10% 
spare cars versus the 12-15% that was normal at the start of my career 
(well 20% for Muni and a few other US light rail properties!). This is 
the difference of several $2-4 million cars sitting idle -- a lot more 
expensive that having an adequate parts stock. 

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Tom Parkinson Vancouver BC
604 733-5430  fax 733-5437
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