ajfunder

I think CATS has learned from other cities that the average American motorist has the tendency to get hit by trains in street running scenarios, especially at first. Example, Houstons light rail which got the nickname wham bam tram. Even the left turn lanes on the extension have their own gates.

Essentially they are the same. The only thing restricting the current LRT vehicles from running on the Gold Line is the turning radius. They are both standard gauge Siemens S70 light rail vehicles with the new streetcars being slightly shorter (turning radius). They run off the same power source and have the same platform height. Technically you could run the streetcars in tandem but platform length is the limiting factor on the streetcar route. In Europe, most of the tram systems function seamlessly as both what we define separately in the US as streetcar and light rail.

I think the next extension should be Rosa Parks to The Plaza at least and potentially to Eastway. This would complete the western leg (which really is not that much further) and get it to a true anchor on the east end. After that I'm a little skeptical about continuing all the way to Eastland.

Seeing this come through town yesterday was pretty damn cool. Also 300 South Tryon really makes an impact from this angle.

What is the 6th frequency if I may ask, won't there only be 5 daily between Charlotte and Raleigh?

I was told so by a friend of mine who is in the know but that could have changed since, last I heard they were part of the plan.

It is a trail extension from 7th Street to 12th Street, the cement at the 9th street station just hasn't been poured yet. The trail will feed into the short cycle track (painted but no bollards yet) on 12th which will allow bikes to access the lightly traveled Brevard Street.

Kermit is correct, the new streetcars will have far better acceleration (especially uphill which the replicas seem to struggle with) and deceleration. This will allow the streetcars to get moving from lights and stations a lot faster abd also come into stations faster.

Well streetcar 92 finally in the rotation again this week and all three have been running this week so hopefully the service issues dissipate.

Photo I took at fanfest

The running gear for the streetcars came from scrapped Milan, Italy streetcars. Gomaco built the bodies and control systems. The reason for streetcar 92's absense is a missing part which can't easily be replaced (at least that is according to the driver today). Gomaco is kind of a specialty manufacturer and these parts are harder to replace then one would think. Regardless, they should have been able to solve the problem by now or at least tell the public what's going wrong.

Streetcar down to one car again this afternoon. Yesterday the doors on one end of 93 weren't working. This has happened fairly frequently recently.

Car 92 hasn't been seen in weeks. They were operating 91 & 93 when I rode into Taste today but when I went to CTC for the return trip, 93 was sitting in the pocket track with Fire and Medic pulled up next to it and I think they were tending to one of the operators. From that point on only 91 was operating. Today's issue might have been staffing related but I don't know for certain, it could have also been mechanical. The fact that 92 hasn't been seen in three weeks and 93 was missing for two weeks tells me there must be some major mechanical issue that is being addressed.

I either ride the streetcar or bike in along the route 5 days a week so I just knew from being a frequent rider. I can happily tell you that they are back to two streetcars and normal service. CATS's Twitter page posts service disruptions as well as the CityLYNX Gold line Twitter page. https://mobile.twitter.com/citylynxupdates

Just gonna point out that the streetcar has had only one vehicle operating for the last 10 days. Apparently car 92 and 93 are down and it has been extremely frustrating as a frequent streetcar rider. Headways even at peak times have been close to 20-30 minutes and I have opted to walk/bike instead of waiting.

Some BLE construction photos from last week. All in between Craighead and the CSX bridge.

Almost all the funds the Feds appropriated for Gateway Station will be for track and bridge work. New bridges have to be built to accommodate the new tracks. I believe the funds will also cover the new Amtrak platform and track. All of these investments will be incorporated into the new station once it is built. As for the temporary station, even that will be a better investment than keeping the current station on North Tryon. I don't see the permanent station being constructed in the next 10 years. Denver built a temporary station during the Union Station renovation and was a simple cinder block building which even then, was more appealing and larger then Charlotte's Amtrak Station which sees six more Amtrak trains a day compared to Denver.

Hmm the Hawthorne Bridge segment is now off wire even though the earlier renderings depicted it being a wired segment. The section through the square will be off wire which should minimize the construction impact on the sidewalks. I guess the segment by Gateway is to avoid bridge clearance conflicts. Also I hope the city gives the Gomaco cars to Lakewood Trolley when phase 2 opens. I know an OCS system would have to be installed but would be a great asset for Lakewood Trolley.

Two photos from yesterday of Piedmont 75 arriving in Charlotte. Although the Amtrak Station is an embarrassment (there's a tree growing on the roof!!!!) it sure has one of my favorite views of the skyline.

I just saw this particular rendering of the S70 streetcar on Trade Street for the first time. This is by far my favorite design of the three and it looks even better on the street IMO.

Any reason only one streetcar was running today around noon?

Went to Murphy's Kitchen and Tap at Trade and Graham Street yesterday. One of the best Ruebens I have ever had and their desert was delicious. I definitely recommend this new restaurant. They also have a great second floor with a deck. Gonna have a great vibe before Panthers and Knights games and it is an even better location if Gateway Station is ever built.

Well the if the Durham-Orange project can be competitive for funding in the new funding system I have faith the Silver Line could be as well.

It's Seattle's First Hill Streetcar. The project included removing lanes to build a cycle track and a wider sidewalk along the route as well. Awesome project.

Definitely agree, the streetcar is standing room only often when I ride it.