Bosco

Exactly, and the M8s aren't just different mechanically. CDOT also provided some of the funding for the cars as well.

The R142s and R142As could use a touching up as well (and even the R160s). As it is, it's a travesty that the R188 conversions didn't at the very least get new lights or a touchup. Although has been mentioned earlier, they were supposed to get cleaned per the conversion, but of course that got dropped.

Agreed. Lots of drama over a revenue date, I'm just pleased the order is moving along, even if glacially. And the test is being done on the no less. Is this a first for a revenue test? Also, is it possible that we could see an R179 during the week?

You guys are forgetting that one of the trains has to pass a 30-day revenue test before the other two plus the production cars can go into service. Plus, any problem that the train has while in service resets the clock. So it's not likely that whichever train they use will pass the first time.

As has been mentioned numerous times, any failure resets the clock and pushes the revenue date further back ... In any case, the burn-in testing is a good sign. If not this Saturday (as has been rumored), hopefully the revenue test will start by the end of the year.

Not impossible, but it probably resulted in a conga line before the Junction. They likely also had some additional trains terminate at 2 Av (which they already do during rush hours).

How exactly are the new XD60s assigned? I've been hearing conflicting reports about which ones are at NYCT and which ones are at MTABC. Is there any significance to the odd numbers versus the even numbers?

The same reason they redid the interior of the derailment R46 set 6150-6153. Politics and instant satisfaction, as well as keeping them running for at least until the last of the cars they are to retire leave the system. Plus, they're not necessarily going anywhere just yet, and even if MNR gets M9As, it would be a minimum of 5 years before the first M3 goes, and potentially near 10 before the last one is retired.

The AC motors by design are 'frictionless,' so any howling has to come from mechanical components. I would imagine it's either the wheels/bearings or possibly the gearbox.

Do the Shoreliners need to be rehabbed? Absolutely. But they're not at the point where they need to be replaced. Speaking of which, have any of the older ones been rehabbed yet?

Exactly. The only complex mechanical components they have are the HVAC and the braking system. Otherwise, as long as the carbody is in good shape (which they are) I wouldn't expect those to go anywhere for right now.

While we're on the topic, let's not forget that "howling" motors are not limited to NTTs. The R68s are some of the loudest howlers in the system.

While those are Kawasaki trains, those have AdTranz/Bombardier propulsion packages. Even then howling motors are not limited to those trains. There are plenty of howling Alstom-powered trains and a few Siemens sets as well. As for the cause of the howling, I'm not entirely sure but I am curious as well.

I don't know if it's a new system or he existing one, but the MTA has learned from removing the existing wayside infrastructure from the Canarsie Line. The fixed-block signal system on the Flushing Line is here to stay as a failsafe, for the reasons you mentioned.

The MTA really can't afford to push the start date back any further. They already shaved three months off the original date, plus if it weren't for the heavy ridership, they would've had it done by now. There was a video the MTA shared showing how dire the tunnel situation is.

I missed that then. It's not surprising the MTA is inconsistent with the installation.

Not exactly sure, but it was certainly reduced after the fact. The number one issue with the Williamsburg Bridge is the timers they installed in response to the 1995 accident on the bridge. In R179 news: A test train has been spotted at Coney Island, presumably for more testing this weekend. Courtesy of TheTransitProductions:

I don't see why that would be a problem as the cabs are right next to each other (the 5-car sets are always facing Manhattan, the 6-car sets always facing Queens). In addition to the other obvious differences, the mechanics are somewhat different. Siemens motors accelerate and decelerate slightly faster than the Alstom motors on startup. However, the Alstom motors have better braking (regenerative braking cuts out at 1 mph, as opposed to 4 mph on the Siemens sets). This is why they try not to mix the two sets, even though it's possible and has been done on rare occasions. A little fun fact about the door motors: the Vapor motors are mechanical (they move through a thread, hence the whirring sound). OTOH, the Fuji motors are magnetic (hence why they are silent). Intuitively, the Fuji motors are more reliable but also more expensive. Just because the was one of the earlier lines to get countdown clocks doesn't mean the got them at the same time. Multi-level stations (such as 145 St ) are being done separately. While the upper level at 145 St have been online for a while, the lower level just went online a week ago.

The MTA would need to justify not putting in elevators (too much money, too difficult engineering-wise, etc). I don't know how Bergen is laid out in terms of staircases, but are there any abandoned staircases that could be converted? Many of the CPW stations south of 110 St have abandoned staircases that could either be reopened or, ideally, converted to elevators.

1. The local stations that the would bypass, especially around Prospect Park, have relatively high ridership. 2. The MTA is waiting until the Culver Rehab is done to even consider it.

Plus, the FIND was one of the first spec changes. The R160s originally were supposed to have the same strip maps as the R142/R143. Back in the early 2000s, screen technology wasn't as cheap as it is now. Prices only fell through the floor a few years ago.

Metro-North M9/As are tentative. Just because it hasn't been confirmed yet doesn't mean it won't happen. Even if the funding hasn't come through yet, soon they will need something to replace the handful of M3As still running.

If I had to guess, it's fake news. It makes no sense to make a Siemens set a Cuomo set unless (please don't let this give any foamers any ideas) there are plans to run one on Broadway. As I said, only Coney Island maintains and operates the Siemens sets, so if it's to go to the , it wouldn't make any sense.

Not all R160Bs are Siemens; most are Alstom, so R160Bs regularly run on the . R160 Breakdown: R160A1 (Alstom-built, Alstom Propulsion, 4-Cars): 8313-8652, 9943-9974 R160A2 (Alstom-built, Alstom Propulsion, 5-Cars): 8653-8712, 9233-9802 R160B1 (Kawasaki-built, Alstom Propulsion, 5-Cars): 8713-8842, 9103-9232, 9803-9942 R160B2 (Kawasaki-built, Siemens Propulsion, 5-Cars): 8843-9102

Coney Island is the only yard that regularly operates/maintains the Siemens sets (except for the ultra rare Siemens train). Generally, yes. IIMN, they also have to verify that the red signal was what caused the train to go BIE (make sure it wasn't something or someone on the tracks as well).