Update on PATCO Car Rebuild

[Silverliner II]

Yes, the new cars are off and running. I had the chance to ride in one yesterday. I thought I read they're using the same motors (rebuilt) as before but the cars sure seemed to accelerate and brake more smoothly. That and I don't hear the familiar "whoosh of air" of the brakes releasing anymore. Overall a pleasant experience, though the quantity of automated announcements, both station stops as well as the other new generic announcements will take a bit to get used to.

Correct, they are using the original traction motors, simply rebuilt.
I'm going to miss that "WHOOSH" sound of air on the brake release... that sound meant business... this train is outta here!

[tommyboy6181]

Yes, the new cars are off and running. I had the chance to ride in one yesterday. I thought I read they're using the same motors (rebuilt) as before but the cars sure seemed to accelerate and brake more smoothly. That and I don't hear the familiar "whoosh of air" of the brakes releasing anymore. Overall a pleasant experience, though the quantity of automated announcements, both station stops as well as the other new generic announcements will take a bit to get used to.

Correct, they are using the original traction motors, simply rebuilt.
I'm going to miss that "WHOOSH" sound of air on the brake release... that sound meant business... this train is outta here!

Same propulsion, although Alstom did upgrade some of the electronics with it. Usually this is something along the lines of adding IGBT inverters which is similar to what SEPTA did with the B-IV trains a few years ago.

It is definitely possible to have an IGBT inverter that doesn't change propulsion noise as Alstom did that with the Budd car rebuild in Chicago back in the early 2000's. I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of the upgrades on the PATCO project.
http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2011 ... tco070211/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MACTRAXX]

Everyone:

With the rebuilt PATCO cars having the full width cab option with the new door and partition will the rear facing "railfan" seat pair be accessible
when the cab is not in use? It will be very easy to just keep the cab closed off and allow that "view" to continue-from the rear only...

MACTRAXX

[chuchubob]

Everyone:

With the rebuilt PATCO cars having the full width cab option with the new door and partition will the rear facing "railfan" seat pair be accessible
when the cab is not in use? It will be very easy to just keep the cab closed off and allow that "view" to continue-from the rear only...

MACTRAXX

The rear cab will remain full width. If it were opened to make the railfan seat on the right side available, the compartment would get soiled from time to time.

[ReadingAve]

I also rode yesterday. The announcements in car 1009 were way too loud, once they got them right. On the westbound trip they were one station behind until reset at 8th & Market, then didn't advance and were shut off. When they were turned on on the eastbound trip, they were ear-splitting.
view out the back, approaching Broadway.
view from the first seat, shooting through the cab.
station stop at Collingswood
entering Westmont

Hey Bob, referring to the picture taken at Collingswood, any idea what the electronic numbers (26) in front of the operator represent? I've seen them before.

[Silverliner II]

Hey Bob, referring to the picture taken at Collingswood, any idea what the electronic numbers (26) in front of the operator represent? I've seen them before.

That's the PATCO equivalent of the block number (SEPTA terms) or run number (CTA term), etc... it is the train identifier.

[R36 Combine Coach]

It is definitely possible to have an IGBT inverter that doesn't change propulsion noise as Alstom did that with the Budd car rebuild in Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of the upgrades on the PATCO project.
http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2011 ... tco070211/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The CTA 2600s retained original GE equipment including motors but were upgraded to microprocessor control.

[tommyboy6181]

It is definitely possible to have an IGBT inverter that doesn't change propulsion noise as Alstom did that with the Budd car rebuild in Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of the upgrades on the PATCO project.
http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2011 ... tco070211/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The CTA 2600s retained original GE equipment including motors but were upgraded to microprocessor control.

Thanks for correcting that. I guess I was thinking about what was done with the BSL where they changed out the original GE controls for the Vossloh IGBT inverters with the original GE motors being retained.

[johnnyloco]

8/22/2015

A 6-car set of rebuilt Budds in revenue service stopped at Westmont, then continued eastbound with 1006 leading and 1017 at the rear. I was kinda surprised to see them running during the early afternoon on a Saturday instead of a weekday rush hour.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4276223" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4276224" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PATCO 1017-
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4276226" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

John D.

[Silverliner II]

My apologies... I meant to post this video I shot when I stumbled upon a rebuilt set in early July. Then vacation came, then I came back, life got in the way, you know the drill. But anyway... here's my video....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WovsSBdfmYg

[GojiMet86]

Hate to bump, but what are the former numbers for the cars? Would I be wrong to assume that #201-296 are now #1001-1096 and #101-125 are now #1101-1125?

[Silverliner II]

Hate to bump, but what are the former numbers for the cars? Would I be wrong to assume that #201-296 are now #1001-1096 and #101-125 are now #1101-1125?

You have hit the nail on the head totally! Yes, that is how the renumbering went!

[jackintosh11]

How many are in service now?

[Silverliner II]

How many are in service now?

That I am not sure.... in July, there were at least 10 cars back, but they were only running one train of 6....

[johnnyloco]

4/15/2016

I saw two sets today within a minute or two, an eastbound and a westbound.

Here's the westbound at Center Tower in Camden-

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4439192" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=4439193" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;