Tacoma Link conversion? You Bet’cha!

Imagine using this….

Instead of these little guys….

For those that don’t know, Tacoma Link (streetcar) was built in such a way to support it’s bigger brother, light-rail for about 80% of it’s system. If Sound Transit goes to the ballot in 2008 or 2010 and passes, the Kinkishayro equipment could be ordered and used even if the line isn’t connecting to the main line. What would the changes be you ask? Not as much as you would think…

• The arrival of seven Kinkishayro light-rail vehicles
• Rebuilt stations to handle 1 car train (read below)
• The curve at 25th Ave to Pacific to be reconfigured. Current curve is too tight for LRVs
• Expanded Operations & Maintenance Facility to handle Kinkishayro LRVs
• 1 percent of art added to stations and key locations along the line
• Modified Fare Structure
• 7 new center-island platform stations, including shelters, signage, lighting, seating, ticket vending machines, CCTV’s
• Power system conversion from 750dc to 1500dc unless LRV’s can “step down” and still performance solidly.
• Construction of 5.5 miles of new double track light rail system to Tacoma Community College

There is one thing however that makes this a bit more difficult because, all of the stations on Tacoma Link have room for a one car train and would remain so. Normal Link consists are setup for a maximum of four car trains. This wouldn’t be a problem as long as nothing changes for the buses at Tacoma Dome Station but in my opinion, I would at least make it compatible for 2-car trains, especially if your expecting 8,000+/- passengers per weekday. When the full system is going, I would assume they would make the it still separate?

Most do not remember this document but Google found it for me while I was researching University Link and if any additional cars have been ordered yet.

Read over it and comment. I really wouldn’t mind the change but really, 2-car trains should be the goal and while space becomes an issue because the Kinki’s are 95 feet long vs. the current 66 foot long Skoda’s, nevertheless, it would be welcomed cause it does get very, very cramped sometimes on the Tacoma runs.

The total distance would go from 1.6 miles to 7.1 miles in length and would cost around $600 million for the project.

Sound Transit link on Tacoma Link conversion to Kinkishayro cars (.pdf file)

Compare and Contrast:

North, Central, University, East, South Link Light Rail – Kinkisharyo/Mitsui of Japan
Manufacture Specs are available at this link http://www.kinkisharyo.com/st_seattle.html

Length	95 feet
Height	12.5 feet
Weight	Estimated 105,000 pounds
Width	8.7 feet
Passenger capacity	200 passengers, 74 seated
Fuel type	Electricity
Fuel capacity	N/A
Power	Powered by electrical-1500 volts D.C. traction power system

Tacoma Link – Inekon Trams formerly Skoda Dopravni Technika of Czech Republic
Manufacture Specs are available at this link http://www.skoda.cz/darkblue/obrazek.asp?ID=1613

Length	66 feet
Height	11.35 feet
Weight	61,729 pounds
Width	8.1 feet
Passenger capacity	56 (30 seated and 26 standing)
Fuel type	Electricity
Fuel capacity	N/A
Power	Overhead electrical wires – 750 volts D.C., with pantograph current collection