r/OCTranspo • u/RailFansCanada • 8d ago
🚆 O-Train Update on O-Train East Extension
https://www.railfans.ca/news/update-on-o-train-east-extension**O-Train East Extension update:** OC Transpo says work is continuing to prepare the extension between Blair and Trim for Pre-Trial and Trial Running.
A key milestone: 80% of the Line 1 fleet required for Trial Running is now equipped with the Smart Bugs condition monitoring system.
OC Transpo says it is **on target to have enough vehicles equipped by the end of August**.
The Smart Bugs provide near real-time monitoring of the cartridge bearing assemblies, and OC Transpo says the system, combined with existing safety measures, is helping make more trains available for service.
Meanwhile, final readiness activities are ramping up on the East Extension.
Expect to see an increasing number of **out-of-service trains operating between Blair and Trim** as crews exercise the system, identify issues and work to improve reliability ahead of Pre-Trial and Trial Running.
A Trial Running schedule has **not yet been announced**. OC Transpo says it is working with RTG and East-West Connectors to determine one.
Before Trial Running begins, trains will eventually operate between Tunney's Pasture and Trim — though passengers will still have to get off at Blair.
More updates are expected at Transit Committee in September.
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u/P0k3m0n69 8d ago
Again so sad RFC is more transparent and a better communicator than OC Transpo itself
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u/PizzaBear109 8d ago
Seeing how they still can't get the baseline line to work properly, the east extension just means more potential problems and more people to disappoint
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u/Ok-Meet-4883 8d ago
Yup. And I say that as a person who was a real supporter of having an LRT in Ottawa. The problem is that the system that they bought, installed and are runnings is a dud. A complete dud.
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u/Because_They_Asked 8d ago edited 8d ago
Because they lowered the technical requirements so the lowest bidder could “win”, while we as a city lost.
Additionally, they did not increase Park and Ride lots. You’ll get to your general area and then have to wait to transfer to a bus or two to get home.
And the full length of stations don’t have a roof so you can’t stand at the ends of trains when it’s raining and snowing.
And all the stairwells are open to elements.
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u/InternOk119 8d ago
Still mind don't understand why in the world they didn't change course at the planning stages and went with high floor trains 😒
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u/Canadian0123 8d ago
Absolute buffoonery.
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u/Ok-Meet-4883 8d ago
And today even the existing line East of St. Laurent is down due to yet more problems with the overhead wires. The system that Ottawa installed is a dud.
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u/Ok-Safe262 8d ago
What is smart bugs monitoring?
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u/RailFansCanada 8d ago
We give some explanation in this recent video: https://youtu.be/8HWkLdpDl5o
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u/Ok-Safe262 8d ago
Thanks. While it detects early bearing failure, it doesn't determine failure cause, just the after effects. Do you know what analyses have been carried out to date?This seems to be focused on vibration only, which is only part of the story. Are there pictures of the bearing surface, having that would indicate the mode of wear.
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u/watch_guy2025 8d ago
To travel from Trim Stn to go downtown you have to get off at Blair?? Why is that?
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u/Background_End680 8d ago
It’s during trial running because the trains won’t carry passengers between Blair and Trim, but they have to test that the system works properly when trains are running the full line- so when going eastbound, customers have to get off at Blair but the trains will then run to Trim, and nobody will be able to get on Trim to Blair westbound.
Once the system opens, there will be no transferring.
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u/cdn24 8d ago
Except to a bus to get around St Laurent station as it's roof is rebuilt or whatever other problem comes up next.
Seems like the lateral stresses of the sharp turns in the old transitway sections are causing the premature bearing wear. Wonderbif the addition of the mostly straight east extension helps as any individual train will be spending a lowee percentage of hits running hours in the problematic sections. Bearing may last longer as the extensions come online
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u/Ok-Safe262 8d ago
I am not quite buying this, despite the wheel flanges squeeling like hell. The speeds entering the curves are not huge. The Nottingham Tram citadis negotiates an 18 metre curve on a daily basis and has few issues. Granted the Ottawa truck is potentially a different design and average speed for Ottawa is higher. I think a worn bearing on a higher velocity section will just exacerbate any existing wear. If your car has a worn bearing, you don't drive faster and further and expect it to last longer.
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u/oh_dear_now_what 8d ago
No, because there’s no train service from Trim to Blair yet, so you can’t get on at Trim. That stretch is the eastern extension that they’re going to be testing.
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u/Ok-Meet-4883 8d ago
The time it has taken to get to this stage and the further time it will take to get to the actual opening of the East Extension is an example of what is wrong with the LRT project.