[www.marinij.com]

SMART begins testing trains in Novato

By Mark Prado, Marin Independent Journal
POSTED: 10/21/15, 9:00 PM PDT | UPDATED: 10 SECS AGO 0 COMMENTS

A train runs near the Redwood landfill near Novato on Tuesday as SMART began testing the system. Robert Tong — Marin Independent Journal
SMART trains are rolling up and down a stretch of track in Novato this week as rails and cars are tested for the first time.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit rails used for testing run from just north of the Redwood Landfill to Rush Creek Place. The roughly 4-mile stretch of track is optimal for testing because there is only one rail crossing at the landfill, allowing trains to roll with minimal interruption from cross traffic.

“This is significant,” said Matt Stevens, SMART spokesman, as he stood near new tracks near the landfill just before the train rolled in, its horn sounding. “This is the beginning of our live testing. We need to do this with all our train sets.”

Part of the testing involves training new train operators. DeAndre Bess sat at the controls this week as the train rolled smoothly down the track south, with Highway 101 to the right and wetlands to the left.

“Compared to a freight train — which is what I’m used to — this is like a sports car,” Bess said. “It accelerates faster and brakes faster. It feels lighter than a locomotive.”

The scene of the silver and green passenger trains in Marin drew curious glances from onlookers in cars on the freeway and from those who were in parking areas along the railway.

Operator training was only one part of testing.

“Braking performance and acceleration performance are being looked at as well,” Stevens said.

To that end, engineers, including several from the manufacturer Sumitomo Corp. of America were on board monitoring computers that were fed data from the braking system to check operation in dry and wet conditions. Barrels on board filled with water were sent to the braking system via hoses to simulate rainy weather conditions.

“We test everything in and on the train,” Stevens said. “We make sure all the doors open, that the electrical switches work along with lights. Basically every mechanical function of the train has to work properly.”

The train cars’ interiors are completed. They feature restrooms, a snack area, several tables and upholstery in shades of green — sea foam and Kelly.

Each chair has a fold-down tray similar to those on airplanes and the seats recline as well. Electrical plugs are in each row against the wall and see-through overhead bins are available for storage.

SMART has three of the two-car train sets in its possession and four more are due. Service from San Rafael to Santa Rosa is set for late 2016. Marin SMART stops will include downtown San Rafael, the Marin Civic Center and stations in Novato at Hamilton and San Marin Drive/Atherton Avenue. There is also renewed discussion of having some service to downtown Novato, with the potential stop part of a $100,000 study. An extension to Larkspur soon after service begins could be put in if federal money comes through, officials said.

Speed is also being looked at during testing. Earlier this week, the train was kept at 25 mph. By Thursday, SMART hopes to ramp up to 50 mph. By next week the train could be tested at its allowed maximum: 79 mph.

That brought a warning from SMART chief Farhad Mansourian.

“This is an active railroad,” he said. “We are not only testing, but there is active freight operations on the tracks as well. Please obey signs and listen to the sounds. We can’t say it enough: safety, safety, safety.”