by Nasadowsk
BandA wrote:Can't have a bi-level with 4 doors accessible from high-level platforms, which is what is being built for all newer platforms in the northeast.Caltrain's KISS160s will have four doors on each side. NJT's multilevels do, too.
Also bi-levels increase the dwell time, and going up and down stairs is a pain in the bottom.
The problem is that when you make these compromises, you don't get wide enough doors.
The French get close enough, if you insist on bilevels:
http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/pri ... 24-150.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But you're stuck with one level boarding (high).
(Ok, the RER stock has only 3 doors on each side...)
The problem: 120-140 km/h top speed, which is too low. This might not be a technical consideration (the RER never goes that fast, with such tight station spacing) but a practical one. Certainly Stadler and Siemens have built bilevels with 160km/h capability.
NJT's multilevel power car reminds me of the Swiss single level power cars that they recently put out of their misery. I was on one on the Zurich S Bahn back in '10, and once the novelty wore off, they sucked (hot, noisy, crap ride)