Those bars between the wheels - if I am not mistaken - are actually the brakes which are applied directly to the tracks via downward pressure and are much more effective because of the increased contact surface area as opposed to regular shoe brakes on the wheels themselves.
Frankly, I think I'd fly out from the East Coast just to see the street cars (PCC trolleys) in action. In many ways, light rail is the way of the future. The PCC trolley was one of the world's most successful designs. Variations of it are in use around the world.
The bar between the wheels is a magnetic brake - its purpose is to keep the car from rolling when it is stopped. Most of the braking is done by reversing the motor into a generator and dumping the energy into a resistor bank as heat, not friction brakes
The electric trolleys are pretty cool. Not really a waste either, without gas or diesel engines - they're cheap to run and low maintenance. What's a shame is that Kenosha has this perfect outdoor square they could use as an open market not far from the museums and condos, but they rarely ever use it if at all. If they'd chalk it out and rent sections of it during the summer, I think it would make good money and provide a good/unique tourist shopping attraction that actually uses the streetcars.
I don't think the locals in Kenosha realize the tremendous potential there is in the whole Harborpark area. The problem I see isn't the streetcars. It's the down-at-the-heels impression visitors get from the remaining non-condo areas of downtown. A lot of people actually come to Kenosha to check out those streetcars. tracksidefan
Those bars between the wheels - if I am not mistaken - are actually the brakes which are applied directly to the tracks via downward pressure and are much more effective because of the increased contact surface area as opposed to regular shoe brakes on the wheels themselves.
Fabulous video, especially the end and the under-car shot....
Frankly, I think I'd fly out from the East Coast just to see the street cars (PCC trolleys) in action. In many ways, light rail is the way of the future. The PCC trolley was one of the world's most successful designs. Variations of it are in use around the world.
The bar between the wheels is a magnetic brake - its purpose is to keep the car from rolling when it is stopped. Most of the braking is done by reversing the motor into a generator and dumping the energy into a resistor bank as heat, not friction brakes
That looks like Dave R. in the crowd. Tell him to get to work and start talking about the trains! Good job. The rain part was cool.
The electric trolleys are pretty cool. Not really a waste either, without gas or diesel engines - they're cheap to run and low maintenance.
What's a shame is that Kenosha has this perfect outdoor square they could use as an open market not far from the museums and condos, but they rarely ever use it if at all. If they'd chalk it out and rent sections of it during the summer, I think it would make good money and provide a good/unique tourist shopping attraction that actually uses the streetcars.
How is this a waste of money? This is a neat way to get people to come to your city. Also it is better than haveing busses all over the place.
I don't think the locals in Kenosha realize the tremendous potential there is in the whole Harborpark area. The problem I see isn't the streetcars. It's the down-at-the-heels impression visitors get from the remaining non-condo areas of downtown. A lot of people actually come to Kenosha to check out those streetcars.
tracksidefan
What are those bars that seem to ride the track? They are in between the wheels.
WOW. Some of these PCCs Are ex-TTC (toronto Transit Commission)
Streetcars dancing on the grave of American Motors.
Waste of money if you ask me. I think the entire "loop" is a whopping mile long.