Atlanta's MARTA to purchase new vehicles

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MattW

Conductor
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
1,729
Location
East of Atlanta, GA
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/metros/marta-issues-rfi-for-new-metro-train-fleet.html?channel=000

METROPOLITAN Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (Marta) has issued requests for information by August 30 for a fleet of new trains and for the life-extension of two-thirds of its existing fleet.
This is great news, I'm quite looking forward to new vehicles. What's particularly interesting is the potential for pantograph-equipped vehicles. A lot of us are wondering if A. MARTA is intending to electrify the proposed extensions at 25kV to reduce costs, and B. if they are looking at possibly allowing grade crossings on the extensions (regardless of any voltage change) by eliminating the third rail. A sounds good to me, and other than backwards compatibility, I don't see much downside to using 25kV or another high voltage AC standard. B however, I'm unsure on, would grade crossings, even without the third rail, even be allowed on heavy rail? The only overhead heavy rail systems I know of are Cleveland's Red Line and part of Boston's Blue Line, however both are overhead DC so there's no additional electrical equipment needed on the trains. I know there are third rail grade crossings, LIRR and MNRR, and grade crossings on Chicago's CTA, but the former are FRA railroads, and the latter is legacy.
 
Interesting, I didn't think the current MARTA cars are in that poor condition, although the seat configuration could be improved.

Of course, I compare them to WMATA in DC where I visit regularly and those trains are atrocious. Except for the 7000-series, of course. :)
 
Anybody proposing to build a heavy rail system with grade crossings should be immediately removed from their job. The CTA's grade crossings were built many years ago and would be extremely expensive to replace. To build a new heavy rail line -- third rail or catenary -- with grade crossings is just ludicrous. It's inviting accidents, injuries and death and local lawyers would have a field day.
 
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I do not understand what they are looking at buying. It says they will need to operate on freight tracks (NS to Jonesboro) and also on downtown streetcar tracks. What type of train meets both qualifications?
 
I do not understand what they are looking at buying. It says they will need to operate on freight tracks (NS to Jonesboro) and also on downtown streetcar tracks. What type of train meets both qualifications?
Look to the German tram-trains for an answer...
 
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