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1233 Queen East | ?m | 8s

http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/05/a_ride_on_the_new_ttc_rocket_subway_train/

A ride on the new TTC Rocket subway train

Posted by Derek Flack / MAY 26, 2011

Photos available on article link.

The TTC's new Toronto Rocket subway trains were in action on the Yonge-University-Spadina line this morning, and members of the media got a chance to take a ride from Davisville to Union and back again. Since we've already written a bit about these snazzy new trains, I was most interested in checking out how the Rocket would get around on the tracks.

Compared to a T1 train, one of the first things that you notice is the different noise the Toronto Rockets make. Although not quieter per se, as the train gets up to speed, the hum it makes is a bit lower and smoother. When asked the admittedly childlike question as to whether or not the Rockets go faster than their predecessors, TTC spokesperson Brad Ross smiles and tells me that "trains can only go so fast in the tunnels." Still, at an 88 Kp/h max speed, it won't even get a chance to test its mettle while in service (trains usually top out at 65 Kp/h between Lawrence and York Mills).
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Really what these trains are all about is increased capacity, accessibility and safety. Of the many differences between the older T1 trains (introduced in 1995) and the Toronto Rockets, the newer models will have an eight to 10 per cent greater capacity. Most of that percentage comes from the increased floor space accommodated by the open gangways that link each of the six cars that compose the train (which I'm told is a design unique to North American subways) . It's tough to put a hard number on this, but the general consensus is that T1's held about 1100 passengers at capacity, so the Rockets will probably get 100-120 extra people on board.
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Nevertheless, the trains are obviously more spacious, and it makes sense that they'll run on the YUS line, which is the most travelled in the system (during the morning rush, roughly 30,000 passengers go through Bloor Station and hour). When the TTC implements a new computerized signaling system on the line, the trains will also be able to run closer together, which will ease crowding.

At present, there are only a few of the Toronto Rockets on TTC property, but the contract with Bombardier now calls for a total of 70 to enter the system between now and 2013 at an approximate cost of a billion bucks. The Rockets are due to be put into regular service in a few weeks. In the meantime, here's some more photos and a rundown of some of the other features.
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NOTABLE FEATURES

-There are 24 closed-circuit cameras (four per car) mounted on the ceiling of each train (these aren't constantly monitored, but will be in the event that a passenger activates one of the 36 alarm intercoms
-Electronic route maps indicate the direction in which the train is travelling and the next station where it'll arrive
-The interior surfaces of the train are coated with Bombardier's Antimicrobial Surface Treatment Program, which reduces the spread of the flu and other viruses
-There are 18 video screens (three per car), which are used to provide information on the use of the emergency intercom, the location of alarm devices, and entry and exit practices
-Each car has two areas at either end where seats fold down to accommodate for wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices (bicycles and strollers could also work here). These areas are indicated on the exterior of the train with a blue light
-The doorways in the new car are much wider, which should make boarding and exiting much more efficient
-There are evacuation ramps and the front and rear of the train
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Got a glimpse of the train last night when it was heading northbound to Finch. I was on its leading train coming from downtown and got off at Sheppard to see the Toronto Rocket on the northbound platform.

The train seemed to go a bit slow into the station, but nevertheless it was surprisingly quiet on acceleration. Very bright and shiny interior as well.

Thanks for the posts about Sunday's preview. Will check that out!
 
The comments page on The Star's story is so depressing. Why is Toronto full of complainers? They'll complain about everything even shiny new trains.

I'm waiting to jump on the first commenter to give Ford credit for these new trains and the subsequent arrival of new streetcars. I'm just waiting... :mad:
 
MetroMan said:
The comments page on The Star's story is so depressing. Why is Toronto full of complainers? They'll complain about everything even shiny new trains.

I'm waiting to jump on the first commenter to give Ford credit for these new trains and the subsequent arrival of new streetcars. I'm just waiting... :mad:
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All this complaining is why we can't have nice things....
 
MetroMan said:
I'm waiting to jump on the first commenter to give Ford credit for these new trains and the subsequent arrival of new streetcars. I'm just waiting... :mad:
Click to expand...

There are posts on there saying the new trains are proof Miller is anti-burbs. Where are the subway expansions and plans currently? Last time I checked they were both occurring in the burbs on the same line that we will see the new trains. Miller didn't build any downtown transit infrastructure and the transit infrastructure he planned were Cherry and Waterfront LRTs which are a shorter length and run at a lower speed than the LRT planned in the burbs. I guess analytical thinking isn't taught in school any more.
 
reaperexpress said:
That article is somewhat amusing. They're talking about the Hawker-Siddeley H6s, yet the close up picture is of a Bombardier T1, and the interior picture is of the Toronto Rocket mockup. As well, how are the trains going to travel at 100km/h? Their top speed is 80km/h. According to the article "experts say [new trains would cost] several millions of dollars". First of all, I'm not sure why they needed experts to tell them that, and secondly, shouldn't this purchase also cost several millions of dollars?

And the article doesn't answer the question of how they plan to run massive (3.1m wide!) third-rail vehicles on a light rail line.
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I read somewhere that the top speed of our current trains is about 90km/h, and that the new ones were slightly slower (approx. 85km/h). Does anyone know what their top speed is? IMO with interstations up to 2km long, our subways should max out at least at 100km/h.
 
Electrify said:
I read somewhere that the top speed of our current trains is about 90km/h, and that the new ones were slightly slower (approx. 85km/h). Does anyone know what their top speed is? IMO with interstations up to 2km long, our subways should max out at least at 100km/h.
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From the article posted earlier on this page...

When asked the admittedly childlike question as to whether or not the Rockets go faster than their predecessors, TTC spokesperson Brad Ross smiles and tells me that "trains can only go so fast in the tunnels." Still, at an 88 Kp/h max speed, it won't even get a chance to test its mettle while in service (trains usually top out at 65 Kp/h between Lawrence and York Mills).
Click to expand...
 
Admittedly this issue may have been addressed earlier in this mega-thread: My question is how high are those centre bar handles that replace the old poles? I get this sense that they are too high to be functional for the majority of the population.

Height numbers are one of those over-exaggerated statistics. I think I read the average North American woman is actually only 5'2". The handles look like they would be ackward for anyone shorter than 5'8". If you include seniors and children suddenly you are talking about the vast majority of the population.
 
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