I'm very glad that they featured a link on their home page (linked-to by Chris) to the video I shot for PortlandTransport in July of Transportation Secretary LaHood's speech. Now if United Streetcar would only return my calls. I don't bite, too much... :-)

for all their hype, i hear the new MAX cars are louder than the old ones. any truth to this?

for all their hype, i hear the new MAX cars are louder than the old ones. any truth to this?

The MAX cars are a bit off-topic, but I've heard a number of the Type IV cars from the outside, and they seem quieter to me (at least at low speeds downtown). Interior-wise, I've only chanced to ride the Type IVs a few times and haven't paid that much attention to sound. I did record a video on a Type IV preview ride, but the conversation amongst all the preview riders was quite boisterous and drowned out any out-of-the-ordinary mechanical sounds.

As for the new streetcar, I've only seen it in motion a couple of times, and I found its electrical (inverter) noise to be qualitatively different than the other two streetcar models in regular service, but didn't notice a significant difference in overall volume.

Anyone know when the Oregon-made streetcar will go into service?

Anyone know when the Oregon-made streetcar will go into service?

We're currently evaluating a possible opportunity to replace the propulsion system in the prototype car with an American-made alternative. The in-service date is indeterminate at this point.

Chris - do you know if the US propulsion would alter the acceleration/deceleration rates?

No, this would not replace the actual motors, just the control systems that drive them.