Light rail vehicle testing: the next big milestone on route to the O-Train Confederation Line in 2018

Light rail vehicle (LRV) testing began on the track between Blair and Cyrville stations this week, giving residents an opportunity to see the trains moving along the tracks. Vehicle and systems testing will gradually expand across the alignment and continue until the launch of the O-Train Confederation Line in 2018.

In November, the first vehicle (LRV 1) arrived at the Belfast Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility in Ottawa from the Alstom facility in Hornell, New York, where it was assembled. The 33 additional electric vehicles that will operate as part of the O-Train Confederation Line will be assembled in Ottawa at Belfast Yard and will undergo a series of tests over the coming months, and ongoing through 2018.

Information about the initial testing taking place:

• One of the tests is related to dynamic envelope testing where foam pads are affixed to the vehicle. The train travels the alignment – powered by the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) – to ensure that adequate clearances are maintained from overhead wires, OCS poles, tree branches etc.
• Residents will see rail vehicles travelling varying distances for testing purposes only, meaning there will be no passengers on board. Residents are reminded to stay off the tracks and not to trespass on the alignment, as energized OCS and moving vehicles are hazardous.
• Vehicle movements will continue at low speeds between Blair and Cyrville stations to enable testing of the functions of various components of the vehicle and systems.
• Testing will be ongoing until 2018, giving residents many opportunities to see the trains on the test track (Blair Station to just east of Tremblay Station) initially, and later along the whole alignment.
• Some of the final panels and markings on vehicles are added in the later stages of testing. During the initial testing, the trains will not fully resemble the final product that will be launched in 2018.

Contacts:

Media contact
City of Ottawa,
613-580-2450

Public inquiries:
ottawa.ca
3-1-1