Matt is correct about MUing of the CAF and Siemens cars--it doesn't work reliably. The last time the Watt/I-80 to Meadowview line mixed cars was about 3 weeks ago, and we stopped several times to drop the pantograph and reset the equipment (the equivalent of rebooting). Since then the cars haven't been mixed on the northeast part of the line, and Siemens cars are the norm. That suits me fine because the seats on the CAF cars are so close together that we tall folks have to sit sidesaddle to fit in.

The operators expressed the same opinion that Matt did about mixing the vehicles. CAF was attempting to break into the North American market, but after the experience in Sacramento and with poor quality equipment on the Washington DC Metro, CAF pulled out of the market altogether on this side of the Big Pond. CAF assembled the light rail cars at the former McClellan AFB (now McClellan Business Park).

Siemens and Bombardier LRV equipment seems to work together in the VTA cars running in San Jose. Does anyone know about Portland mixing Siemens and Skoda equipment?