by Lucius Kwok
This is sort of a branch from another thread about the Silverliner V.
I'm wondering why the N-5 weighs around 41 tons while the rebuilt "PCC-2" is about 22.5 tons. They both are trollleys which hold about the same number of people, run on 600 volt DC systems, have HVAC systems and other basic stuff. Using a third rail instead of trolley wires shouldn't make much difference, and high-level stations allows the N-5 to avoid having steps.
The N-5 is also completely grade separated and doesn't share tracks with other systems (passenger or freight). They also only run the same type of cars on the entire line.
I'm wondering why the N-5 weighs around 41 tons while the rebuilt "PCC-2" is about 22.5 tons. They both are trollleys which hold about the same number of people, run on 600 volt DC systems, have HVAC systems and other basic stuff. Using a third rail instead of trolley wires shouldn't make much difference, and high-level stations allows the N-5 to avoid having steps.
The N-5 is also completely grade separated and doesn't share tracks with other systems (passenger or freight). They also only run the same type of cars on the entire line.