Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The additional train testing is needed along the entire line in an effort to test the operation of the trains and all train and signal systems for the Metro Expo Line. No date has been set for the opening of the line. Metro will select an opening date for the public once all systems and trains are thoroughly tested and operated.

Vehicle and equipment testing and crew qualifying are the first phase of operations in preparation for revenue service and began in April in the southern segment between Lewisville and Carrollton. System testing of the segment north of Lewisville Lake will begin in mid-May.

The X3-45 coaches will be used in a demanding commuter application, which requires reliable vehicle performance.

The 10 prototype railcars are being tested to determine how they perform when operating in the conditions that CTA's rail fleet is subjected to throughout the year. The prototypes must successfully complete testing on all eight rail lines.

Being tested to determine how they perform when operating in the conditions that CTA's rail fleet is subjected to throughout the year. The prototypes must successfully complete testing on all eight rail lines before CTA will authorize the delivery of the remaining 396 rail cars.

Hybrid technology, which can be used in all heavy shunting services, reduces fuel consumption by approximately 50 percent and is aimed at a Europe-wide market of several thousands of locomotives that are obsolete. With a top output of 600 kW, the locomotive has only a small diesel generator of 250 kW and draws the additional power from batteries that are recharged by the generator.

MagneMotion Inc., a company founded by Richard D. Thornton, emeritus professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received a $7.9-million grant in 2008 from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to conduct a three-phase test of its patented Maglev technology.