Passenger Trains > SMART signal and train today

Video opens with a still photo of the signal for San Rafael-bound trains, just
prior to the Rohnert Park station (a SMART employee, visible by his orange
safety vest, is working in the signal cabinet at the lower right-center)...and
then a still of the signal showing green, as a train has entered the approach circuit.

The train cruises past the signal, grade crossing and station.

A few minutes later, the crew having changed ends at Cotati, about 1.2 miles
away, it returns toward Santa Rosa.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/16 15:36 by GenePoon.

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The thread a few days ago about possible engine failure makes me wonder why they are still testing when they should be dealing with the prime movers. Fix the DMUs then test them! IMHO

Cummins, the engine manufacturer, has estimated that the crankshafts will fail at about half their intended service life, which means the cars really could be placed into service now, with failure some time into the future (though the one that did fail in Toronto did so much before that).  But SMART...probably realizing that its predicted "end of 2016" start of service is impossible, given other problems (such as signals, PTC, grade crossing circuits) they are having...decided to get the warranty work, involving complete diesel engine replacement, done now instead of disrupting service later on, and is delaying the startup until an estimated "late spring 2017" without having to admit publicly the difficulties that are of their own doing and of their contractors.

SMART's crankshafts may also have had a longer time to failure...the Union-Pearson Express operates at a maximum speed of 90mph; SMART will top out at 79mph.

The plan is to replace the engines at SMART's Santa Rosa maintenance facility.  Once the improved engines are available, Cummins will ship two of them to Santa Rosa, and will exchange new ones for the old ones as they are removed.



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/16 16:12 by GenePoon.

Such a nice example  for the rest of America!!

I will NEVER understand why this is not under catenary! What a wasted opportunity

It just is not in the cards as it was too expensive for the budget.