Spy shots of a different type
 

This ties into a thread from the old forum where I mentioned I have half an interest into trains as well. I've annoyed a few members with these pics on chat programs, but I finally found a decent host I like and am sharing them with all of you
Earlier this month I went downtown for Jury Duty. Not being one to park down there, I rode our rapid transit system, the San Diego Trolley. Having kept an ear down for word on the new trains MTS was supposed to be recieving, I was pleasantly surprised to look out the window of my train on my way home and see two of them sitting idle on an adjacent track with no logos. I hopped out and scoped the downtown yard (which was where I was) for more of them. I ended up spotting seven of them. Two next to me, two in the garage, two in the yard, and one undergoing what appeared to be brake testing. Of course, I had my camera with me (becoming a rarity nowadays actually) so I took a few "spy shots"
http://tinypic.com/68efs3.jpg
Quickly snapped this off when I saw the two in the yard
http://tinypic.com/68e9o0.jpg
Surrounded with older trains
http://tinypic.com/68ej3o.jpg
It appeared to be undergoing brake testing... the Tram would accelerate hard down a short section of track (a little longer than the commuter train next to it) then it would brake very hard, then go the other way doing the same thing.
http://tinypic.com/68ei4o.jpg
http://tinypic.com/68eivn.jpg
http://tinypic.com/68ehhx.jpg
After I'd left the Yard and walked back to the trolley stop, lo and behold, look what had appeared behind me on a testing run... I rode the trolley right behind him, hopped into my truck and followed him out to where his testing run terminated... Why? Because I was bored and had 6 hour before I had to do anything else
Overall, it was interesting to say the least. I wish I could go find some CARS to shoot now, but I guess that will have to come with time. Too bad they aren't as predictable as Trams are to follow though.


Modified by Andre at 12:46 AM 6/23/2005

I know this is not a spy shot, but I am really impressed by the below. Andre, I am also quite into trains http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif
Transrapid in Shanghai China: Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Line
Popular Science - Grand Award Winner (2003) - http://www.popsci.com/popsci/b....html
Top speed: more than 430 km/hr (267 miles per hour)
http://www.pfhgoeschina.com/transrapid1.jpg
Design & copyright by Morten Cordes
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f.../schanghai.jpg
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f...i/n_shg_05.jpg
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f...i/n_shg_01.jpg
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f...i/n_shg_04.jpg
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f...i/n_shg_02.jpg
http://www.transrapid.com.cn/media/f...i/n_shg_08.jpg
Source: Transrapid

http://www.signonsandiego.com/....html

it will be nice to see these awesome trains running along highway 8 and into el cajon when they get rolling i am also a transportaion freak, all kinds of transportation are my interest's, being a private pilot and ex bus driver, these trains look awesome !

It'd be an experience though. I am going to plan a trip to Shanghai, China. I've been there once, I was amazed how fast it has growned. You can't really tell the difference between Shanghai and New York City - literally everything you can get here, you can get there, for a lot cheaper - god bless the exchange rate http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emwink.gif Anyways, the next time there, I'd be sure to check it out, as I said before, it'd be a fun experienc, I am sure.
Andre, when are those new trains supposed to be in service. Any news on the timeline?

I'd be scared to go that fast on a train, but not on a jet for some reason, I'm not sure why. I always did like flying though. As for the the new MTS trains, they look quite good, its always great to see some replacements for the older public transit systems. Supposedly there is supposed to be a light rail system going in near us, I haven't seen too much about it recently though.

Thomas The Tank Engine was the best train ever http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emthup.gif

The Maglev looks awesome, hope they choose to put those in for the San Diego - San Fancisco High speed service they're researching and want to start building in 2009.
From what I understand the new trains start service with the green line (Through Mission Valley in Central SD, I've only been staring at the construction for 5 years) and are incompatible with the old routes and trains, so they should pretty much be exclusively run right along my commute. I'm planning to go down on July 9 with the kids because it's a free day for the entire trolley system.