Sprinter (light rail)
The NCTD Sprinter is a diesel mechanical Commuter Train from Siemens Transportation Systems (now Rail Systems ) developed vehicle concept Desiro Classic. Is operated by the transport company North County Transit District ( NCTD ). North County stands for the northern part of San Diego County, California, United States.
History
Manufacturer of multiple units is the Siemens Transportation Systems, in their plant in Krefeld- Uerdingen held production. From left Bremerhaven on 14 July 2006, the first three train sets on board the vessel MV Medea Germany. The road led across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific to Port Hueneme in California. Further transport was carried by truck to Escondido, where multiple units were assembled with the operator.
Technically, the Sprinter units are very similar to the trains of the DB version of the Series 642. Major differences are the omission of the 1st class and the on-board toilets, and the use of a powerful air conditioning.
Since 2009, the vehicle maintenance is carried out by a consortium of Veolia Transport and Bombardier Transportation.
In March 2013 unusually high wear and tear on the brakes of a Triebszugs were found. Then, the operation was first performed at a reduced speed, and shortly thereafter suspended for two months, during which checks all the trains and damaged parts are replaced. During this time, a replacement bus service with buses was established. Supposedly had problems with the brakes of trains already more than a year previously known but were not communicated to the competent authorities.
Route
1992 acquired North County Transit District an existing freight line between Oceanside and Escondido, parallel to Highway 78, from the Santa Fe Railway. The total cost for track and vehicles amounted to 477.6 million U.S. dollars. On March 9, 2008, the Sprinter line was opened in the planned 30 -minute intervals. The route is 22 miles ( 35 km ) long and has 15 stops. Thus, the previously driven by bus route cuts by approximately 20 minutes. Annually the Sprinter about 2.4 million passengers transported.