Silverliner Vs Out of Service - Technical Topics

[MaggieL]

Media reports this morning indicate that the 18 cars which were returned to service have once again been pulled due to a "new" unspecified defect. This is not good news at all.

http://6abc.com/traffic/repaired-septa- ... t/1508045/

More details here: http://www.iseptaphilly.com/blog/SLVRepairUpdate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[silverlinerfan22]

Yesterday the set that was going to Doylestown ended up on a stub track at suburban

To pull them that quick is not good. I talked to a Conductor today who wasn't surprised. He said he worked the repaired V's and "something didn't sound right underneath" I watched Knuppel on the news explaining it. He looked and sounded like a used car salesperson.

[MaggieL]

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/T ... pairs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[STrRedWolf]

1/32nd of an "too wide"? Uh, no, you need to shrink that bolt's head 1/32nd of an inch in radius and height.

[pumpers]

From this link:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/T ... pairs.html

Feet that are forged directly into the beam, rather than being attached with either a weld or pin, would be the surest way to prevent problems in this area, officials have said. SEPTA said no options are being ruled out long term, but said the pins are a safe solution and will get cars back on the rails as soon as possible.
“The forged would have taken longer,” Knueppel said. “I’ve got to try to get back to the weekday schedule.”

Also, a comment: Clearance holes too small, new hardware designed without looking at actual cars, ..., This is really embarrassing,especially when they knew everyone would be watching the results closely. Not to mention of course the poorly designed feet in the first place and a poorly specified (or poorly monitored) welding process that started all of this. I know what it is like to make real stuff and have to make it work and know how tricky mother nature can be at times, but still...

[BuddCar711]

I wonder if these issues would have been avoided if the SL-Vs were mounted on Pioneer III trucks.

[ChrisinAbington]

Well the good news is that Rotem will be that much more experienced when they roll out the SLVI's.. (hopefully just kidding)
For a non-technical person such as myself, I must admit these snafu's aren't particularly reassuring once I hear about their nature.
Thank you for those of you on here who have spent the time to explain the issues dealt with. It is very helpful to a person in my shoes.

[Nasadowsk]

I wonder if these issues would have been avoided if the SL-Vs were mounted on Pioneer III trucks.

Probably not. The PIII was designed for a railcar literally 1/2 the weight of a SLV. It was a great truck in the PIII and SLIII applications, ok on the M-1s on the LIRR, but I've heard Amtrak does not like them on the Amfleets, at least once speeds get into the useful range.

Septa should have just sucked it up and gotten a modern fabricated design like everyone else uses. Getting a 40 year old design from an also-ran casting firm was a bit silly...

[zebrasepta]

Well the good news is that Rotem will be that much more experienced when they roll out the SLVI's.. (hopefully just kidding)
For a non-technical person such as myself, I must admit these snafu's aren't particularly reassuring once I hear about their nature.
Thank you for those of you on here who have spent the time to explain the issues dealt with. It is very helpful to a person in my shoes.

SEPTA better not award Hyundai Rotem for the multilevel cars

[Gilbert B Norman]

Funny how, once upon a time on the North side of town, were built, even if not the most aesthetically pleasing, the most reliably engineered railcars North America has ever seen. Too bad for their now-German massahs, they now are confined to designing and building escalators and elevators.

[Backshophoss]

The truck used on the SL-V's was a licensed version of GSC design,Columbus Casting was Buckeye Steel Castings,a front
line provider of trucks to the RR's from back in the steam era...
The General Steel Casting design was their answer to Budd's Pioneer III design.

[EDM5970]

I rarely post on this site anymore, strongly disagree with NJ moderators, but have to say this: Philadelphia used to be the home of Brill, Budd and Baldwin. I believe Westinghouse may have also assembled some locomotives near Philly, and Boeing tried their hand at trolley cars nearby. Its a shame that new transit equipment now comes from overseas builders. What happened? (Rhetorical question, I know-)

[silverlinerfan22]

Well the good news is that Rotem will be that much more experienced when they roll out the SLVI's.. (hopefully just kidding).

Remember, the bi-levels come next. Everything is on hold for them. Anyone care to bet on who's gonna get that order?

[jackintosh11]

I'd bet on Bombardier. They have tons of experience making multilevel cars that have worked out great for NJT and MARC, and I believe that they meet the design requirements as they are.

[Head-end View]

Even after Boston MBTA's horrid experience with Hyundai-Rotem, I bet SEPTA shoots themselves in the foot and goes with them again. And with all the public criticism of New York's MTA, ya' don't see them buying this garbage. They buy commuter cars from Bombardier and Kawasaki. But I have to admit, that might be just 'cause those companies have factories in New York State.