Heat, Humidity Felled The Train: WHOPPER WATCH
“We really consider that the extra loading (from Bluesfest) is a factor but there are other issues as well. We’ve gone through a very hot period … we get extra humidity at certain times of the day because of the difference in temperatures between the rail and the air.”
Richard Holder, city director of engineering services
Oh come on. You think that?
Heat and humidity caused this bearing to fail?
My car has been through this heat and humidity and, so far, the bearings have held. Wow. That’s right up there with the pecuniary benefits of thin air rights and waterfalls at Lansdowne.
This leaves us with two options.
First … really? Perhaps Ottawans should rush to the mechanic because that humidity is a dastardly thing and their car bearings could be in jeopardy. A bit of humidity and your car is off the road. Good to know.
Second … really? We’ve built a system that can’t handle Bluesfest people. Or Canada Day people? In planning such a project, one would think that might be close to the first consideration. You know, people, safety, transit, reliability, durability. Or was it just designed to be pretty. Damn, it looks good flying off the tracks. Sleek. Good aerodynamics.
‘There Are Hundreds Of Bad Axles Lying Around In A Corner’
That doesn’t bode well for people cramming onto trains for a Senators game at an arena to be named later. When it’s -25 C on a January night and the wind is howling down the Ottawa River, you don’t think people will pack those trains like cordwood. Maybe the cold and dry will bust those bearings.
You know, your agent remembers talking to former Transpo head honcho John Manconi who called me and was angry about the something I wrote (stand in line). I asked him why he didn’t just use those Transitway stations for light rail … they were designed for it when volume required. He said they were on the wrong angle. Interesting. What, 90 degrees from the platform? Then he asked me if I wanted those old red stations. “We want an award-winning system” so new stations it was. Awards for whom? Me? You? Manconi perchance?
Well what award is Ottawa’s light rail winning now? The booby prize?
So was Ottawa’s LRT designed to work or be pretty? Pretty won out.
Congratulations, Mr. Holder. You’re carrying on the proud tradition of John Manconi, the king of the whopper.
Welcome to Whopper Watch.
Ken Gray
—
Don’t miss our regular features
Everything Ottawa Full Local Bulldog Canadian
Opinion Comments Breaking News Hood Hub
Ontario World Get Cheap Gas Big Money
Pop Gossip Your Home Relax …
Bulldog Weather Full Local Sports
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
– The Bulldog – News Feed Enter 
snowy weather, rainy weather, icy weather, cold weather, hot weather, humid weather… voila,,, weather is to blame. HURRY STOP THE WEATHER!!!!! and while we’re at it STOP THE MUSIC.
Is Mr Holder a P Eng or just another whopper wizard? Too many folks from Bluesfest got on the train? It was hot and humid? Grasping at straws on the excuse list and still NO Last Resort Trains!!
A song had these words “When will they ever learn” is fast becoming a theme song.
I wouldn’t be surprised if our capable, educated and brilliant Council members had considered the following motto for public transportation: Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these LRT conductors from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” It wouldn’t be beyond their arrogance and low esteem of those who voted for them to adopt the motto. It’s unfortunate that voters don’t do their homework prior to voting these clueless morons to public office.
I’m surprised the city hasn’t blamed the coyotes yet.
MM,
They’re saving the ‘coyote’ excuse for when the Trillium Line doesn’t function in the south end of the city where the current coyote “problem” is. You don’t want to waste all your justifications on just one Line. Some have to be kept in reserve for future screw-ups. It’s that “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” thing.
Shows how awful the system is when someone in the loop can blame the weather. Time to fire these incompetents and hire some new blood.
Mr. Holders’ reference to the extra loading from BluesFest is intriguing. Reading between the lines here, but I think Mr. Holder has just acknowledged that the capacity of the trains is not the number of people (notionally 600), but the cumulative weight of the passengers.
Are we facing the same situation as we see in elevators? I am thinking of the signs that state capacity as being, for example, maximum 10 people or 1000 kg. The 10 people is really just a proxy for the weight constraint.
So, what’s next for our precious LRT? A not quite automated system that involves having to step on a scale prior to boarding the LRT. Followed by an announcement to the effect of ” Sorry, but due to the current temperature and humidity our algorithm has decided to close the doors now. For those of you who weren’t lucky enough to board this LRT, don’t worry, another train will be arriving in 5 minutes, give or take a week. Good luck.”
Ron:
I’ve said jokingly that it appears the LRT is allergic to people.
That’s because, such as when Transpo offered free rides on New Year’s Eve, the train broke down.
That’s not good and maybe it’s not a joke. Perhaps this train can’t stand a very full load.
If humidity can stop this train, little doubt some fat guys can too.
cheers
kgray
Frank:
Perhaps there was a head wind.
cheers
kgray