SEPTA's Silverliner Vs

Trains Magazine Transit
1

Just came across these photos of SEPTA’s SLVs upon arrival. Note that they are not mine.

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1964924
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1964923
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1964927
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1964925

They look pretty neat. The two doors side by side and then that one off on its own is kinda cool.

2

Now the questions begin:

  1. How much time to finish all the additional items before they are ready for testing?

  2. Any testing at the Puebelo TTC?

  3. How much testing time anticipated before they can enter revenue service?

  4. Any time posted yet as to when they will be in revenue service?

Now these cars will be very service compatible anywhere on the NEC. With the exception of not working at low platforms they are capable of operating from WASH - BOS - Harrisburg however they will need a transformer tap installed for 25Kv which is easily installed by SEPTA. They can meet the commuter rail standard acceleration ( 3 MPH/SEC) on 12Kv 25hz lines down to 10.8 Kv ; 12.5Kv 60 Hz lines down to 11Kv, and 25Kv 60 Hz lines down to 22Kv. If the CAT is capable they produce full regenerative or dynamic blended braking (if CAT voltage gets too high) to a speed less than 1 MPH which should save a lot of electric energy. They can but are not planned to operate with SL IIIs and SL IVs. They will a welcome to SEPTA with their short station spacing that needs fast acceleration and slowing.

3

They can operate at low level platforms. That’s what that crazy door arrangement is all about.

4

Yep, the two outermost doors can be used at either high or low level platforms, while the centermost doors are high level only.

  1. I don’t know. As far as I can tell, only three cars have arrived. 701 is a single car and 801 and 802 seem to be a married pair.

  2. Most likely yes. Other cars may have been sent to Pueblo, while these three will test actually on SEPTA. NJ Transit sent one ALP-46A to Pueblo, and they have a second on property for testing.

  3. Probably a while. I don’t know any specifics.

  4. See #3.

5

OOPS: I missed that one when I read the specifications----Thanks much.

6

They look more like overgrown rapid transit cars than suburban equipment, not unlike the M-1’s on LIRR.

7

Yes but much faster ( 110-125)

8

Is it an optical illusion, or are these cars a little longer then usual?

9

Yeah, they look great but don’t look forward to seeing them on the NEC except in the Philly region and not likely on the Harrisburg Line either. Like all the other SEPTA units none have bathroom facilities.No long trips.

10

I think they’re only 85 feet. If anything, they’d be shorter, not longer.

11

Kind of a dumb question, but how heavy are these cars?

Thx IGN