am i correct to assume that the reason the pantograph is placed on top of that stool on the roof is because of the height clearances of that old freight spur?
when will the HO scale Skoda streetcar model be released?
I don’t think Tacoma Link runs on any old tracks – it was all built for the streetcar.
My guesses are that 1) we want to be able to run full Link on the line later, or 2) clearance for trucks crossing the streetcar’s path is high.
If memory serves, I don’t believe this will happen. Something or other about track width or weight-bearing capacity of the tracks in Tacoma. Could also have been a voltage issue in the overhead wires.
No, Tacoma Link was built to be converted for Central Link vehicles later. Only a small portion of the track would need to be reworked. The bigger problem is the length of the platforms.
Regardless of South Link’s completition to Tacoma, the plan is to convert Tacoma Link to the larger vehicles for its own extensions in Tacoma. And when South Link is finally completed, it would be a big loss for Downtown Tacoma if riders could ride straight into Tacoma, but had to transfer at the Tacoma Dome and get on a smaller vehicle.
You’ll see the convention center construction along with some other changes throughout the city along its route.
I believe that’s the SR 509 bridge in the background? Along with the Glass Museum which was design to look like the stack from a forest products mill it points out the absurdity of WSDOT’s argument against anything other than paving Lake Washington based on intrusion of views. The City of Destiny has certainly positioned it’s self to [again] be the preeminent transportation portal in the Pacific Northwest.
Yes, that’s SR 509
Brian
Pictures tell what a thousand words do, but it should be clear to all who look at this, that Link not only fits well into Tacoma but prmopts us to delve beyond the picture, into seeing how well Link has contributed to the stunning revival of downtown Tacoma in recent years.
Tim
They’ve got a very attractive downtown I’d say.
I couldn’t agree more. Check out the link I posted above of the test runs to see a before and after.
Does anyone know why they have so many lights flashing on it?
So that Idiot Motorists don’t hit/get hit by the vehicles. It’s actually a pretty cool sight at night.
I was actually kind of suprised thatthe SLUT didnt have as many lights as the Tacoma Trolley did.
I can understand that point. It seems redundant though because half of the track is seperated from traffic, and the other half is used jointly with buses. Plus the trolly has absolute right of way. Yes it is pretty to look at when its dark, but it does get annoying. I hope they’ll stop using all of the lights if they every expand it, or at least only have them on during testing and the first few months of operation to get drivers used to it.
So would one consider Tacoma Link a Streetcar or Light Rail? I know Sound Transit calls it LRT but it also uses Portland Streetcar cars.
There really isn’t a need to have that many lights on any vehicle, period. Tacoma Link is an odd case with the gyralight, strobes and yellow led flashers. While it is cool at night, it is very, annoying, especially for those who have sensitive eyes.
Portland has done fine for 8 years. Don’t see them with a ton of lights on their vehicles.
Nothing to add to this, photo by Brian Bundridge.
am i correct to assume that the reason the pantograph is placed on top of that stool on the roof is because of the height clearances of that old freight spur?
when will the HO scale Skoda streetcar model be released?
I don’t think Tacoma Link runs on any old tracks – it was all built for the streetcar.
My guesses are that 1) we want to be able to run full Link on the line later, or 2) clearance for trucks crossing the streetcar’s path is high.
If memory serves, I don’t believe this will happen. Something or other about track width or weight-bearing capacity of the tracks in Tacoma. Could also have been a voltage issue in the overhead wires.
No, Tacoma Link was built to be converted for Central Link vehicles later. Only a small portion of the track would need to be reworked. The bigger problem is the length of the platforms.
See here:
http://www.soundtransit.org/documents/pdf/st2/potential_projects_05_06/S06_Link_Ext_to_W_Tacoma_with_Central_Link_Tech_v2.pdf
Regardless of South Link’s completition to Tacoma, the plan is to convert Tacoma Link to the larger vehicles for its own extensions in Tacoma. And when South Link is finally completed, it would be a big loss for Downtown Tacoma if riders could ride straight into Tacoma, but had to transfer at the Tacoma Dome and get on a smaller vehicle.
Actually, neither. The height of the panto was solely because of the old freight line that was the Lakeview Subdivision. This picture shows where the connection would have been at.
http://macster.smugmug.com/gallery/7645952_ja3vh#494044725_CRHRd
For everyone’s viewing pleasure, I have uploaded pictures of Tacoma Link from July 28, 2003, during the test runs of Tacoma Link and before the bunch of lights were added to the vehicles.
http://macster.smugmug.com/gallery/7645952_ja3vh#494044538_reo4s
You’ll see the convention center construction along with some other changes throughout the city along its route.
I believe that’s the SR 509 bridge in the background? Along with the Glass Museum which was design to look like the stack from a forest products mill it points out the absurdity of WSDOT’s argument against anything other than paving Lake Washington based on intrusion of views. The City of Destiny has certainly positioned it’s self to [again] be the preeminent transportation portal in the Pacific Northwest.
Yes, that’s SR 509
Brian
Pictures tell what a thousand words do, but it should be clear to all who look at this, that Link not only fits well into Tacoma but prmopts us to delve beyond the picture, into seeing how well Link has contributed to the stunning revival of downtown Tacoma in recent years.
Tim
They’ve got a very attractive downtown I’d say.
I couldn’t agree more. Check out the link I posted above of the test runs to see a before and after.
Does anyone know why they have so many lights flashing on it?
So that Idiot Motorists don’t hit/get hit by the vehicles. It’s actually a pretty cool sight at night.
I was actually kind of suprised thatthe SLUT didnt have as many lights as the Tacoma Trolley did.
I can understand that point. It seems redundant though because half of the track is seperated from traffic, and the other half is used jointly with buses. Plus the trolly has absolute right of way. Yes it is pretty to look at when its dark, but it does get annoying. I hope they’ll stop using all of the lights if they every expand it, or at least only have them on during testing and the first few months of operation to get drivers used to it.
So would one consider Tacoma Link a Streetcar or Light Rail? I know Sound Transit calls it LRT but it also uses Portland Streetcar cars.
There really isn’t a need to have that many lights on any vehicle, period. Tacoma Link is an odd case with the gyralight, strobes and yellow led flashers. While it is cool at night, it is very, annoying, especially for those who have sensitive eyes.
Portland has done fine for 8 years. Don’t see them with a ton of lights on their vehicles.