On my way to buy shoes before hitting the Chowder Challenge, I spotted TriMet testing out the new downtown Max line. Here it is rolling past Union Station. I wasn’t fast enough to catch a shot of the profile, but it sure is sleek. Makes the old Max trains look like relics of 1980’s urban planning. Which they are, I guess.
I must have been falling off the curb when I took this…
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.
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 this town needs is a monorail!
What’s that word again?
Monorail!
“quite enough” == “quiet enough”… oops.
its no subway.
You’re right kat, a subway would be underground.
Nice shot, seizure boy. ; D