Unique Addition to PNAERC

After some consideration, I've just added a new piece of equipment to the PNAERC roster. It's shown above in a screen grab from this video, which dates to 2011. It's a totally unique piece of equipment on PNAERC: an automated, i.e. driverless, transit car that I might consider a "people mover" like you'd see at an airport as much as I'd consider it a railway car. Among its distinctive features is the fact that it operates using two linear induction motors, one in each truck, meaning the axles are free-wheeling even though the car is powered (I'm still not sure how to describe this using my usual terminology). However, it runs on standard gauge track and it was undoubtedly built for operation on a public transit line. Thanks to Richard Schauer, who explained some of the technology to me. I wasn't sure whether a linear induction motor car belonged on PNAERC, but he pointed out that it's similar to a steam locomotive that is geared to a rack - just because it doesn't power the wheels directly doesn't mean it's not a steam locomotive.

So, here it is, on the roster. This particular unit was one of a handful (I think two, but possibly six) prototypes constructed by UTDC in 1982 for the then-new SkyTrain system in Vancouver, British Columbia. It saw operation during testing before the system opened, but I'm not clear whether it remained in service afterward or even whether it was fitted with a normal interior, seats, etc. At some point it evidently went back to UTDC (later Bombardier) in Kingston, Ontario, for use in testing. In 2011, it went to the Canada Science & Technology Museum in Ottawa, where it currently resides in storage (it's in the background here).

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find very much information on it, not even a fleet number. The prototypes were (I think) numbered BC1 and BC2, which narrows it down, but CS&TM just refers to this car as the "ART 100" even though that's the type designation and not the fleet number. It's also painted in a much simplified version of its original livery and appears to be unlettered. Oh, well. If anyone can supply information on it (including mechanical information - there's information online about the early production SkyTrain cars, but not about the prototype cars) it's much appreciated.

Oh, and if you want an explanation of the SkyTrain system that veers from hilarious to insightful to eye-rolling, check this out. Come for the synthesizer music, stay for the close-ups of induction motor operation.