The two lines will eventually have to connect. I would say keep the streetcar going up Euclid then meet the Loop Trolley's tracks at Delmar. However, in the renderings for the streetcar, it doesn't seem to have overhead wires like the Loop Trolley does. Are they really going to be compatible to run down each other's tracks or will they be too different? Are the cars themselves going to be the only difference between the two systems?
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sadly, i'm pretty sure they're not going to be compatible without some reworking. the Loop Trolly Co. and the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis aren't even communicating as far as i know.
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I'm sure the Loop Trolley is being built as carefully as possible so that it can fit on the street well without "getting in the way" of everyone else. Maybe the streetcar should do things the same way. Build them identical to one another, except of course for the cars themselves I guess, which the downtown renderings depict as being modern, not vintage.
Cite? 750 DC is one of the most common means of providing traction power for transit systems in the world and it is the de facto standard for new systems in the US.quincunx wrote:Another important aspect is that they run off the same kind of electricity. Metrolink runs off of ~750V DC which is weird. This was an outcome of the scare campaign against HVAC in the late 80s early 90s. People were blaming it for causing cancer, which was BS. Kind of like the effort to blame vaccines for Autism.
List of current systems for electric rail traction - Wikipedia
My Electricity & Magnetism prof in college. He was here during the planning back in the day so I figured he was credible in stating it was factor in the design back then.
So most LRT systems run off of 750VDC? Isn't this why we need a transformer every 2 miles? I guess I'm thinking more of the heavy rail NEC where it's 25 Hz in some places and 60 Hz in parts, iirc.
No matter my point is that the Loop Trolley and the Lindell streetcar need not only the same gauge, but compatible electrical systems.
So most LRT systems run off of 750VDC? Isn't this why we need a transformer every 2 miles? I guess I'm thinking more of the heavy rail NEC where it's 25 Hz in some places and 60 Hz in parts, iirc.
No matter my point is that the Loop Trolley and the Lindell streetcar need not only the same gauge, but compatible electrical systems.
I agree, and to some extent their electrical systems won't be compatible initially. About half of the Loop Trolley line will not have overhead electrical connections and for that portion the trolleys will run on battery power. Based on the renderings and what appears to be planned, the Olive streetcar will be wired for the full length of the line and won't have battery capability.quincunx wrote:No matter my point is that the Loop Trolley and the Lindell streetcar need not only the same gauge, but compatible electrical systems.
Any incompatibility is fine with me. I'd rather see future extensions of an Olive Line focused on the southside instead of toward the Loop Trolley.
I thought the current plan is to wire the whole length. That's one of the reasons that cranky old lady filed the lawsuits.
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Well she can go blow a donkey because the wires are one of the coolest looking parts of a streetcar over a bus.
What's the latest on this? It's kinda stupid already. As others have said, most of the other cities that received TIGER grants when we did have already completed (or are close to completing) their projects, and we haven't even started? I think the public is owed an explanation.
^I thought I heard that they've started removing trees on Debaliviere. We've had a pretty rough winter this year. Doesn't make a lot of sense to start construction on a road project with all the chaos that's been causing. I'm sure you'll see it getting into full swing towards the spring.
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So long trees!
http://www.stltoday.com/gallery/news/mu ... ade.html#0
I particularly love the photo with the Happy Tree Service truck with smiley logo in the background as a tree meets its fate.... mind splat.
http://www.stltoday.com/gallery/news/mu ... ade.html#0
I particularly love the photo with the Happy Tree Service truck with smiley logo in the background as a tree meets its fate.... mind splat.
Thanks for the updates, guys. Glad to see things are finally starting to happen.
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oh, wow... my gut reaction is to get upset about the tree loss. i hadn't considered it until now. guess i'll try to keep my eyes on the prize. 
this trolley better be worth it.
this trolley better be worth it.- 933
Couldn't they just uproot them and move them to a mediocre park instead? Then we would save the trees AND improve a park.
I guess this was cheaper though, so screw it.
I guess this was cheaper though, so screw it.
Then the Trolley Company and the Parks Dept would have to work together. Not like Lucier Park needs any trees or anything.
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The trees were mature; moving them is harder than removal and planting new ones, more costly, and not particularly likely to ensure tree survival.
I noticed last Fall the City was planting new trees in the median planter on Delmar. Seemed pointless, since they're just gonna get removed in a few months anyway. City bureaucracy, I guess.
By the time you would have done all that, you could have just planted a new tree in a park.Couldn't they just uproot them and move them to a mediocre park instead? Then we would save the trees AND improve a park.
I guess this was cheaper though, so screw it.
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I heard from Lyda Krewson yesterday that that trees needed to come out before March 1st or they'd have to wait until next year to remove them due to migratory birds potentially setting up nests in them. So it's a step forward, but I'm not sure it means they're ready to break ground immediately. That said, Lyda also mentioned that the current plan was for the DeBaliviere bridge over the Metro stop to be closed to all traffic June - September this year to accommodate the trolley work, so it certainly sounds like this is getting close to happening.
From what I've heard is that the Feds have approved the construction plans. Not sure what the next step is
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Channel 5 just reported that construction will begin in May.... this was on a story about how St. Louis lost out on the next google fiber round but that fiber would be laid as part of the Loop Trolley.