NCTD Sprinter Shutdown

[kingbee33]

The Sprinter light rail commuter system in North San Diego County was shutdown today due to "accelerated" wear on the brake system. Current estimates from officials say the system could remain shutdown for up to four months because the components that need to be replaced must be custom ordered from Europe.

I'm not familiar with light rail operations in general but there is one thing I'm curious about. Today (3/9/13) is the 5th anniversary of it beginning operations, so why after five years did this problem occur? What are possible reasons? Possibly the use of materials that are less resistant to wear and tear?

The URL to the article is below. I'm posting this from a mobile device so I cannot properly activate the link at this time.
http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/08/sprinter-shutdown-closure-north-transit-train/

[blue streak 1]

There is no excuse for this occurrence. .

1.  one occurrences in the USA and there is no spare equipment  that is compatible that can be loaned.  Time for anther PCC conference to get standard equipment throughout the USA ?

2.  understand Vieola is in charge of maintenance --  another black eye ?

3.  sounds vaguley like the ACELA  brake problems of a few years ago ? (manufacturer location and source ) 

4.  wonder if the dynamic braking schedule may not be programed properly ? 

5.  just - in - time delivery of spare parts fails again ?

6.   maintenance oversight has failed.
activation

 http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/08/sprinter-shutdown-closure-north-transit-train/

 

[BaltACD]

Management Failure 101.