Voltz
Senior Member
^ Aren't Mtl. trains faster, in addition to nfitz's reasons, because of the rubber tires? Better traction, higher acceleration. If not for this damn winter of ours, I would love for our subways to be built with rubber tires. Ohh, I'm not sure about this, but I have heard that metro stations in Mtl. are built on 'hills' relative to their preceding and following track segments. So, there is a gradual uphill as a train enters the station, slowing it, and a small downhill leaving the station letting gravity speed it up. That could be a good idea as we build new stations.
The TTC was planning to build the Spadina Extension with "humped station profiles" (hills), but decided not to as it might impede drivers view of the track and signals. Personally I think there concern is unwarranted, particularly with the move to ATO