srepetsk wrote:The Washington Post reported today that CAF cars are included in one of the bidder's proposals for the Purple Line: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/tr ... &tid=ss_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Reading the article, all the reporter did was basically blast CAF for their cars. Now, we all have to remember that CAF's Metro contract was their very first in the US back in the late 90's/early 00's. CAF didn't even assemble the cars- that was done by AAI which was bought by Alstom. CAF did the design and engineering. Combine that with Metro wanting the cars yesterday and that led to the product they received.
Now with the LRV project, I would think this is going to be a better result. CAF has owned their Elmira factory for years now, has a standardized product line for their streetcar and light rail vehicles, and now provide many of their own components including communication systems, signalling and propulsion. This was not the case back when the Metro contract was completed. An example of this is in Cincinnati and Kansas City where both are using the standard CAF Urbos 3 streetcar with propulsion and inveters provided by sister company CAF Power & Automation (was known as Trainelec before CAF purchased the company).
Cincinnati: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-megXn1zvtY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Helsinki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDVui0Mm_QM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A little background on the motors themselves. CAF usually has the motors for their propulsion system built by either TraktionsSysteme Austria or by ABB. Both manufacturers have also built motors for Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens, Vossloh and others.
I doubt that this contract would be a disaster. But in any major project like that, close supervision and communication along with quality engineering, assembly and testing are essential to producing a reliable product.
Gotta love Alstom. Every year on opening day of hunting season, it is a paid holiday!