Region launches ‘Ask Ion’ video series for LRT
Public can submit questions to staff to find out how new transit system works
WATERLOO REGION — With physical infrastructure for the Region of Waterloo’s light rail system becoming more visible, staff have launched a video series to start answering common questions about how the system will work.
“Ask Ion” launched Wednesday with a short video explaining how the trains are powered.
TJ Flynn, communications co-ordinator with the light rail team, said that’s a popular query.
“That’s a fairly common question that we’ve been getting and it’s one that we’re hopeful we’ve answered really clearly and simply,” Flynn said.
Part of the motivation for the videos is that questions about the project are transitioning as the planned 2018 launch of the system nears.
Instead of construction and road closures, residents want to know exactly how this thing will work.
“We’re moving away from some of those construction questions more toward the actual service of Ion and the infrastructure around the Ion service,” Flynn said.
So, how exactly are the trains powered?
The trains are powered by electricity that comes from local hydro companies, but the form it comes in needs to be converted. The electricity is high voltage alternating current, but trains need low voltage direct current.
Traction power substations along the route make the conversion using equipment which includes a transformer and rectifier.
That converted energy runs to overhead catenary lines from the power stations. The wires are on poles about 21 feet tall above the light rail tracks.
The poles have two stacked wires. The bottom one carries electricity from the power station to the train and the top wire keeps that top contact wire in place.
On top of each train is a pantograph. It looks a bit like a coat hanger and presses against the contact wire and this is the point at which power is transferred to the train.
Flynn said the continuation and success of the video series depends on interest from the public.
He said his hope is that it catches on and residents can forward their questions to the region via social media to be addressed in future videos.
“Hopefully everybody will connect with it and engage with it and learn about a topic that might be of interest to them,” he said.
The videos were produced by staff so there is no external cost for production.
The region’s light rail transit system is expected to launch in 2018, with trains running between Conestoga Mall in Waterloo and Fairview Park mall in Kitchener.
The video is available on the Ion Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rideION/.