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General Category => World News => Topic started by: rangerrebew on March 15, 2018, 11:05:11 am

Title: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: rangerrebew on March 15, 2018, 11:05:11 am

WND
$2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Government solution – relax safety standards
Published: 12 hours ago
 

No one disputes this Australian state’s need to upgrade its rail-transit fleet after 40 years of service.

The New South Wales regional train system in and around Sydney operates with a variety of trains, the oldest rolling stock – called V-sets – and newer XPT longer-distance carriers. After four decades, purchasing 512 new carriages at a cost of $2.3 billion had become a necessity. And with the purchase, commuters can look forward to mobile-phone charging stations, accessible toilets and more space for bike racks and luggage.

All good … except for one rather major problem.

The new trains are too wide for existing tunnels, reports News.com.au.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2018/03/2-3-billion-goof-new-commuter-trains-too-wide-for-tunnels/#1iy56L1gR0g9uxCM.99 (http://www.wnd.com/2018/03/2-3-billion-goof-new-commuter-trains-too-wide-for-tunnels/#1iy56L1gR0g9uxCM.99)
Title: Re: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: SZonian on March 15, 2018, 02:54:24 pm
 :facepalm2:
Title: Re: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: Suppressed on March 16, 2018, 02:02:40 am
This isn't the first time this has happened.  I wish I could remember the other instance!
Title: Re: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: anubias on March 16, 2018, 05:16:49 am
When a size W shoe was bought instead of an N.
Title: Re: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: Suppressed on March 16, 2018, 05:29:51 am
France 2014: Trains too wide for platform
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27497727 (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27497727)
Title: Re: $2.3 billion goof: New commuter trains too wide for tunnels
Post by: Fishrrman on March 16, 2018, 10:41:39 pm
"This isn't the first time this has happened.  I wish I could remember the other instance!"

When the Acela trainsets were originally delivered to Amtrak back around 2000, they were just a bit "too wide" to be allowed to run at "full tilt" (the cars of the trainsets tilt into curves as they go around them at speed).

Originally, tilting was cut out from the east end of the East River tunnels in New York to the west entrance of the Hudson River Tunnels in New Jersey.

Also, the tilting feature had to be cut out prior to entering Metro-North territory (New Rochelle NY to New Haven), again because of concerns for clearances between passing trains on curves.

I believe that all this got rectified in time, not sure exactly what they did. Might have required changes in curve alignments, or perhaps changes to the train's operating software...