Local transit blogger Al M. has posted a series of videos taken by local transit blogger Jason Mchuff of the complete testing... if you're into watching the entire morning unfold.
The interesting thing about the new trains is that although they are larger and have more passenger room, they are actually lighter and a bit more energy-efficient than the previous MAX trains.
Judging from the videos, they are also much quieter. (But they are also brand new and running at slow speeds, so we'll see...)
At 2:35 into the "Part 2" video, you can compare the noise level from a normal service MAX train crossing the new tracks near Pioneer Courthouse, to the new test train. It's quite enough that people can walk along side and carry on a conversation without raising their voices.
See:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DD…
The interesting thing about the new trains is that although they are larger and have more passenger room, they are actually lighter and a bit more energy-efficient than the previous MAX trains.
Judging from the videos, they are also much quieter. (But they are also brand new and running at slow speeds, so we'll see...)
At 2:35 into the "Part 2" video, you can compare the noise level from a normal service MAX train crossing the new tracks near Pioneer Courthouse, to the new test train. It's quite enough that people can walk along side and carry on a conversation without raising their voices.
What's that word again?
Monorail!