Custom Traxx is a company that produces scale models and accessories for streetcar and traction modeling. Their flagship product is a line of 14 HO scale models of the PCC streetcars used on San Francisco's F Market Line. Custom Traxx works closely with model railroad clubs and transit agencies to produce accurately detailed models. They collaborate with other manufacturers and provide technical support for new model projects.
This document is the first edition of the Rincon Hill Resident Guide, which provides information to residents of the Rincon Hill neighborhood in San Francisco. It discusses the history of Rincon Hill as the first fashionable neighborhood in San Francisco in the 1800s, its decline due to industrialization, and its recent revival following the 1989 earthquake. It also outlines upcoming development plans that will transform Rincon Hill and provides tips for residents to get involved and improve the community.
Streetcars provide fixed route transportation using electric vehicles running on steel rails. They have been in use since the late 19th century. Streetcars can encourage development and shape city growth by connecting inner cities to new housing, employment, and entertainment. Many cities have recently restored or implemented streetcar systems to aid development, tourism, and mobility. Streetcar projects typically cost $3.5-5.5 million per mile to build and less than bus systems to operate, with funding coming from various government and local sources.
The document provides an overview of the history and production process of three-wheeled vehicles. It discusses how three-wheelers emerged as economical transportation alternatives and underwent innovations over time. The production process for three-wheelers generally involves designing the vehicle using CAD software, fabricating a prototype, and refining the design based on testing before beginning mass production using assembly lines.
This thesis analyzes the supply chain process at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and makes recommendations for improvement. It provides historical context on Rolls-Royce and describes their previous in-house production model and current use of suppliers. The author examines Rolls-Royce's Quality Information Feedback process for tracking defects and resolving issues with vendors. Recommendations are made to improve problem tracking and supplier relationships through computerization and better communication.
The document is a proposal from an OSU senior design team to Lochard Inc. for an all-in-one tailgate station design. It presents three design alternatives, evaluates them based on cost and functionality, and selects Design 3 as the best option. Design 3 is a compact trailer that addresses weight capacity, storage concerns, and cost compared to the other designs. Tables and images provide details on the selected design and estimated manufacturing costs. The proposal recommends Design 3 to meet Lochard's requirements for an affordable, easy to use tailgating product.
This document summarizes the evolution of interchange design in North America from the early cloverleaf interchanges built in the 1920s-1930s to modern designs. It chronicles the development of new interchange forms like diamonds and systems interchanges as well as the evolution of design criteria based on research into driver behavior and safety. The initial interchanges were built with little design experience, but as more were constructed, researchers gained insights into how to improve operations and reduce crashes by modifying designs and criteria. New interchange forms continued to be developed through the 20th century incorporating these lessons learned.
This document discusses the importance of future-proofing in architecture and design. It provides two historical examples, a 1912 bridge in England that was designed with mass transit in mind and ended up accommodating a subway line 48 years later, and a 2003 retail software suite that is still using a single code base over a decade later due to a flexible architecture. The key point is that considering future capabilities and needs upfront, through a flexible design, can significantly reduce long-term support costs and maximize the lifespan of a project.
Allen Pike presents the portfolio of Trans FX Inc. (TFX), a design and fabrication company he owns. TFX has designed and built over 50 original vehicle designs as well as scale models, prototypes, and components for clients like General Motors, Warner Bros., Disney, and Intel. Pike discusses TFX's history, capabilities, projects, and Allen's experience in automotive and industrial design.
This document is the first edition of the Rincon Hill Resident Guide, which provides information to residents of the Rincon Hill neighborhood in San Francisco. It discusses the history of Rincon Hill as the first fashionable neighborhood in San Francisco in the 1800s, its decline due to industrialization, and its recent revival following the 1989 earthquake. It also outlines upcoming development plans that will transform Rincon Hill and provides tips for residents to get involved and improve the community.
Streetcars provide fixed route transportation using electric vehicles running on steel rails. They have been in use since the late 19th century. Streetcars can encourage development and shape city growth by connecting inner cities to new housing, employment, and entertainment. Many cities have recently restored or implemented streetcar systems to aid development, tourism, and mobility. Streetcar projects typically cost $3.5-5.5 million per mile to build and less than bus systems to operate, with funding coming from various government and local sources.
The document provides an overview of the history and production process of three-wheeled vehicles. It discusses how three-wheelers emerged as economical transportation alternatives and underwent innovations over time. The production process for three-wheelers generally involves designing the vehicle using CAD software, fabricating a prototype, and refining the design based on testing before beginning mass production using assembly lines.
This thesis analyzes the supply chain process at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and makes recommendations for improvement. It provides historical context on Rolls-Royce and describes their previous in-house production model and current use of suppliers. The author examines Rolls-Royce's Quality Information Feedback process for tracking defects and resolving issues with vendors. Recommendations are made to improve problem tracking and supplier relationships through computerization and better communication.
The document is a proposal from an OSU senior design team to Lochard Inc. for an all-in-one tailgate station design. It presents three design alternatives, evaluates them based on cost and functionality, and selects Design 3 as the best option. Design 3 is a compact trailer that addresses weight capacity, storage concerns, and cost compared to the other designs. Tables and images provide details on the selected design and estimated manufacturing costs. The proposal recommends Design 3 to meet Lochard's requirements for an affordable, easy to use tailgating product.
This document summarizes the evolution of interchange design in North America from the early cloverleaf interchanges built in the 1920s-1930s to modern designs. It chronicles the development of new interchange forms like diamonds and systems interchanges as well as the evolution of design criteria based on research into driver behavior and safety. The initial interchanges were built with little design experience, but as more were constructed, researchers gained insights into how to improve operations and reduce crashes by modifying designs and criteria. New interchange forms continued to be developed through the 20th century incorporating these lessons learned.
This document discusses the importance of future-proofing in architecture and design. It provides two historical examples, a 1912 bridge in England that was designed with mass transit in mind and ended up accommodating a subway line 48 years later, and a 2003 retail software suite that is still using a single code base over a decade later due to a flexible architecture. The key point is that considering future capabilities and needs upfront, through a flexible design, can significantly reduce long-term support costs and maximize the lifespan of a project.
Allen Pike presents the portfolio of Trans FX Inc. (TFX), a design and fabrication company he owns. TFX has designed and built over 50 original vehicle designs as well as scale models, prototypes, and components for clients like General Motors, Warner Bros., Disney, and Intel. Pike discusses TFX's history, capabilities, projects, and Allen's experience in automotive and industrial design.
RV 2014: Mobile Workshop #15- Integrating Transit into Large InstitutionsRail~Volution
Â
Monday, September 22, 1:15 pmâ5:15 pm
Large institutions draw workers, customers and visitors: the MSP Airport, VA Hospital and Federal Government Center; Fort Snelling National Historic Site and State Park; the State Air Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve Centers; and the Mall of America. Travel the METRO Blue Line to see how these institutions met unique engineering challenges and incorporated LRT into their facility sites, operations and the very fabric of their organizations. Hear from the DNR, Metropolitan Airport Commission, VA hospital and city staff
This document summarizes Lane Construction Corporation's rankings, growth, and history over 120 years:
- Lane consistently ranks highly on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list, ranging from 286th in 1985 to 44th currently.
- The company has experienced consistent financial growth since the 1930s, with its annual volume of work completing rising from $0.4 billion in 2002 to $1.4 billion in 2011.
- Lane has a history of pioneering transportation infrastructure projects, from early highway and dam construction in the 1900s to leading public-private partnerships and design-build projects more recently. The document outlines some of Lane's major projects and expansions over 120 years of operation.
Double Deck Bus Pilot Report (FINAL) rspdf (5-30-08)Paul Bignardi
Â
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency conducted a pilot demonstration of a double decker bus from December 2007 to January 2008. An Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 double decker bus with 83 seats was operated on several Muni routes. Surveys of over 800 passengers found that 84% had no trouble climbing the stairs, 80% preferred the ride quality, and 85% preferred the view compared to regular buses. While the double decker had benefits like more seating, longer dwell times and issues with accessibility were challenges. Staff meetings discussed potential design modifications but noted procurement would be difficult. The demonstration was useful but did not definitively show if double deckers should be adopted for Muni's fleet.
More Than 100 Years of Innovative Auto Transport by Rail Ship Cars Now
Â
Over the last 100 years, progressive and environmentally friendly innovations by railroads have created a new level of efficient, damage-free auto transport by rail. Inventive rail car designs have increased load capacity, speed and safety, as well as introducing better fuel economy and greener technology.
Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, this ebook highlights a dozen of CityLab's favorite stories from the 2014 series on how Americans will travel tomorrow.
This document provides an introduction to modern vehicle design. It discusses the historical development of vehicles from early steam-powered vehicles to modern internal combustion engines. It describes key innovations like the gasoline engine and mass production techniques pioneered by Henry Ford. It also summarizes the development of vehicle manufacturing into large corporations and the challenges of mergers and rationalization faced by different countries' auto industries over the 20th century.
Horsecars were the earliest form of public transit in cities until the late 19th century. Frank Sprague then invented the electric streetcar system using overhead wires in Richmond, Virginia in 1887. As streetcars grew in popularity, they increased passenger capacity by becoming longer, wider, and operating in trains of multiple connected cars. Interurban streetcars connected cities and towns. Later streamlined PCC streetcars and modern light rail systems emerged. However, as personal automobiles became more common, streetcar systems declined and were eventually abandoned in most places by the mid-20th century.
transportation and the health and wealth of citiesTheLastMile
Â
Since 1950, conventional urban transportation planning has been largely directed at providing fast and efficient mobility for private travel â freeways were built, streets were widened and buildings were razed for parking. Most cities went along with the program and suffered tremendously, but there have been a handful of cities that resisted the status quo and developed an alternative city friendly approach to transportation. These cities focused on transportation solutions that were compatible with, and enhanced their urban fabric, life and character.
Transportation planners have largely overlooked the story of how and why these trailblazing cities forged a different approach. But the transportation policies that these cities adopted contain important lessons about the path forward for creating sustainable places. The success of these cities has spurred a growing number of municipalities to adopt their own versions of city friendly transportation planning. They are now also beginning to reap the benefits that come from reducing car dependency. In this presentation I will tell the story of some of the places that pioneered city friendly transportation planning and how this approach can help to rein in sprawl and help to revitalize traditional urban centers.
This document contains the schedule and agenda for the 2016 ARTBA Federal Issues Program & Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In event taking place from May 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Washington Hotel. The schedule details the times and locations for various meetings, presentations, and legislative sessions focused on federal transportation issues. Sponsorship levels and participating organizations are also listed.
Intermodal transport hub â an international case study
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado. It is located at 17th and Wynkoop Streets in the present-day LoDo district and includes the historic terminal building, a train shed, a 22-gate underground bus facility, and light rail station.
In 2012, the station underwent a major renovation transforming it into the centerpiece of a new transit-oriented mixed-use development built on the site's former railyards.
The station house re-opened in the summer of 2014 as a combination of the 112-room Crawford Hotel, several restaurants and retails and a dining hall.
APWA Reporter - Cermak-McCormick Place Elevated Green Line StationT.Y. Lin International
Â
The document summarizes the Cermak-McCormick Place Elevated Green Line Station project, which won a 2016 Public Works Project of the Year award. Key details include:
- The $50 million project built a new transit station on an existing 100-year-old elevated rail structure in Chicago to fill a transportation gap.
- It constructed steel tube platforms outside the existing structure to accommodate passengers while minimizing additional loads on the historic structure.
- The project maintained full transit service during construction and addressed the constrained site. Engineering firm T.Y. Lin provided design and structural analysis support.
The report describes a tailgate station design created for Lochard Inc. It includes a detailed design description of the compact trailer design approved by the client. Testing methods and results are provided to support design choices. A cost analysis is presented along with conclusions and recommendations. Appendices include a list of purchased items and complete drawings.
Concept cars are vehicles made to showcase new designs and technologies that may or may not be mass produced. They are often unveiled at auto shows to gauge public reaction. General Motors designer Harley Earl is credited with inventing the concept car in the late 1930s. Concept cars rarely make it to production unchanged, as they need to be modified for practicality, safety, and costs reasons before full production. Some concept cars use exotic materials and designs like gullwing doors that would be impractical for mass production.
A project report on customer satisfactioin regarding after sales services of ...Babasab Patil
Â
This document provides an overview of a study on customer satisfaction regarding after-sales services of Mahindra & Mahindra. It includes an introduction discussing the purpose and scope of the study, as well as chapters covering the organization profile, research methodology, results and findings, and conclusions. The study examines customer satisfaction levels and reasons for declines at an authorized M&M service station in Belgaum district through a survey of 100 customers.
RV 2014: Mobile Workshop #15- Integrating Transit into Large InstitutionsRail~Volution
Â
Monday, September 22, 1:15 pmâ5:15 pm
Large institutions draw workers, customers and visitors: the MSP Airport, VA Hospital and Federal Government Center; Fort Snelling National Historic Site and State Park; the State Air Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve Centers; and the Mall of America. Travel the METRO Blue Line to see how these institutions met unique engineering challenges and incorporated LRT into their facility sites, operations and the very fabric of their organizations. Hear from the DNR, Metropolitan Airport Commission, VA hospital and city staff
This document summarizes Lane Construction Corporation's rankings, growth, and history over 120 years:
- Lane consistently ranks highly on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list, ranging from 286th in 1985 to 44th currently.
- The company has experienced consistent financial growth since the 1930s, with its annual volume of work completing rising from $0.4 billion in 2002 to $1.4 billion in 2011.
- Lane has a history of pioneering transportation infrastructure projects, from early highway and dam construction in the 1900s to leading public-private partnerships and design-build projects more recently. The document outlines some of Lane's major projects and expansions over 120 years of operation.
Double Deck Bus Pilot Report (FINAL) rspdf (5-30-08)Paul Bignardi
Â
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency conducted a pilot demonstration of a double decker bus from December 2007 to January 2008. An Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 double decker bus with 83 seats was operated on several Muni routes. Surveys of over 800 passengers found that 84% had no trouble climbing the stairs, 80% preferred the ride quality, and 85% preferred the view compared to regular buses. While the double decker had benefits like more seating, longer dwell times and issues with accessibility were challenges. Staff meetings discussed potential design modifications but noted procurement would be difficult. The demonstration was useful but did not definitively show if double deckers should be adopted for Muni's fleet.
More Than 100 Years of Innovative Auto Transport by Rail Ship Cars Now
Â
Over the last 100 years, progressive and environmentally friendly innovations by railroads have created a new level of efficient, damage-free auto transport by rail. Inventive rail car designs have increased load capacity, speed and safety, as well as introducing better fuel economy and greener technology.
Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, this ebook highlights a dozen of CityLab's favorite stories from the 2014 series on how Americans will travel tomorrow.
This document provides an introduction to modern vehicle design. It discusses the historical development of vehicles from early steam-powered vehicles to modern internal combustion engines. It describes key innovations like the gasoline engine and mass production techniques pioneered by Henry Ford. It also summarizes the development of vehicle manufacturing into large corporations and the challenges of mergers and rationalization faced by different countries' auto industries over the 20th century.
Horsecars were the earliest form of public transit in cities until the late 19th century. Frank Sprague then invented the electric streetcar system using overhead wires in Richmond, Virginia in 1887. As streetcars grew in popularity, they increased passenger capacity by becoming longer, wider, and operating in trains of multiple connected cars. Interurban streetcars connected cities and towns. Later streamlined PCC streetcars and modern light rail systems emerged. However, as personal automobiles became more common, streetcar systems declined and were eventually abandoned in most places by the mid-20th century.
transportation and the health and wealth of citiesTheLastMile
Â
Since 1950, conventional urban transportation planning has been largely directed at providing fast and efficient mobility for private travel â freeways were built, streets were widened and buildings were razed for parking. Most cities went along with the program and suffered tremendously, but there have been a handful of cities that resisted the status quo and developed an alternative city friendly approach to transportation. These cities focused on transportation solutions that were compatible with, and enhanced their urban fabric, life and character.
Transportation planners have largely overlooked the story of how and why these trailblazing cities forged a different approach. But the transportation policies that these cities adopted contain important lessons about the path forward for creating sustainable places. The success of these cities has spurred a growing number of municipalities to adopt their own versions of city friendly transportation planning. They are now also beginning to reap the benefits that come from reducing car dependency. In this presentation I will tell the story of some of the places that pioneered city friendly transportation planning and how this approach can help to rein in sprawl and help to revitalize traditional urban centers.
This document contains the schedule and agenda for the 2016 ARTBA Federal Issues Program & Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In event taking place from May 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Washington Hotel. The schedule details the times and locations for various meetings, presentations, and legislative sessions focused on federal transportation issues. Sponsorship levels and participating organizations are also listed.
Intermodal transport hub â an international case study
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado. It is located at 17th and Wynkoop Streets in the present-day LoDo district and includes the historic terminal building, a train shed, a 22-gate underground bus facility, and light rail station.
In 2012, the station underwent a major renovation transforming it into the centerpiece of a new transit-oriented mixed-use development built on the site's former railyards.
The station house re-opened in the summer of 2014 as a combination of the 112-room Crawford Hotel, several restaurants and retails and a dining hall.
APWA Reporter - Cermak-McCormick Place Elevated Green Line StationT.Y. Lin International
Â
The document summarizes the Cermak-McCormick Place Elevated Green Line Station project, which won a 2016 Public Works Project of the Year award. Key details include:
- The $50 million project built a new transit station on an existing 100-year-old elevated rail structure in Chicago to fill a transportation gap.
- It constructed steel tube platforms outside the existing structure to accommodate passengers while minimizing additional loads on the historic structure.
- The project maintained full transit service during construction and addressed the constrained site. Engineering firm T.Y. Lin provided design and structural analysis support.
The report describes a tailgate station design created for Lochard Inc. It includes a detailed design description of the compact trailer design approved by the client. Testing methods and results are provided to support design choices. A cost analysis is presented along with conclusions and recommendations. Appendices include a list of purchased items and complete drawings.
Concept cars are vehicles made to showcase new designs and technologies that may or may not be mass produced. They are often unveiled at auto shows to gauge public reaction. General Motors designer Harley Earl is credited with inventing the concept car in the late 1930s. Concept cars rarely make it to production unchanged, as they need to be modified for practicality, safety, and costs reasons before full production. Some concept cars use exotic materials and designs like gullwing doors that would be impractical for mass production.
A project report on customer satisfactioin regarding after sales services of ...Babasab Patil
Â
This document provides an overview of a study on customer satisfaction regarding after-sales services of Mahindra & Mahindra. It includes an introduction discussing the purpose and scope of the study, as well as chapters covering the organization profile, research methodology, results and findings, and conclusions. The study examines customer satisfaction levels and reasons for declines at an authorized M&M service station in Belgaum district through a survey of 100 customers.
8. What Does Custom Traxx Do? The F Market Line (contâd) #Car 1050, San Francisco #Car 1053, Brooklyn #Car 1054, Philadelphia #Car 1056, Kansas City #Car 1060, Newark #Car 1062, Louisville
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11. Custom Traxx: Modeler, Museum & Transit Relationships Jonathan Werner at the controls of Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority Car #3165 at Orange Empire Railway Museum Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority Car #3165 getting ready for a full day of passenger service at Orange Empire Railway Museum Custom Traxx believes the relationships between modelers, museums, and present-day transit systems can be very beneficial to all parties involved. For example, the car shown here, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (formerly Los Angeles Railway) Car #3165 was originally built for Twin Cities Rapid Transit in 1948 before being sold to LAMTA in 1953. As âour man in the Midwest,â Jonathan Werner is well aware of some of the unique details specific to cars built to operate in the harsh winters of Minnesota.
12. Custom Traxx: Modeler, Museum & Transit Relationships Through the relationship Custom Traxx established with San Francisco MUNI during the development of the F Market PCC models, we gained the ability to gather specification data on other MUNI vehicles, such as MUNIâs Breda Light Rail Vehicle. We then shared this data with Miniatures by Eric, another model manufacturer, and well as offered technical assistance on their Breda LRV model project. Another benefit was we were granted permission to examine some pieces held by the Western Railway Museum due largely to their relationship with MUNI. This made a major difference in our plans to model the San Francisco âTorpedoâ double-end PCCs. San Francisco MUNI Breda Light Rail Vehicle Miniatures by Ericâs Breda LRV undergoing testing at Southern California Traction Clubâs testing facility San Francisco âTorpedoâ in Philadelphia Suburban Transit colors, F Market Line, San Francisco
13. Custom Traxx: Modeler, Museum & Transit Relationships San Francisco MUNI #1071 (Originally built for Twin Cities Rapid Transit) LAMTA #3165 (now at Orange Empire, also originally built for Twin Cities Rapid Transit) It all comes full-circle as Custom Traxx provides itâs knowledge of Minneapolis PCC cars to Orange Empire Railway Museum, which has provided vehicles to San Francisco MUNI. In turn, MUNI is in the process refurbishing several Minneapolis PCC cars while Custom Traxx partners with San Francisco MUNI to sell its current line of F Market PCC models and possibly to develop a future line of MUNI âTorpedoes.â Illinois Terminal Double-End PCC on SCTCâs layout SF MUNI âTorpedoâ in Illinois Terminal Colors
14. Custom Traxx: Product Development If you are a hard-core traction modeler, you are thinking an Illinois Terminal Double-End PCC is not the same thing as a San Francisco âTorpedoâ regardless of how you paint it. Enter John McWhirter, Director of Project Engineering and Development. Below, John is shown doing what he does best, which is the model railroading equivalent of âturning water into wine.â In short, John is our key person on any project like âkit-bashingâ a Double-End PCC into a âTorpedo.â Hereâs the calculus: Turning a Double-End PCC shell (as shown here) into one representing a true âTorpedoâ means giving John an undecorated shell, a shell that has the needed doors, and his milling machine. By taking the rear door out of a Bachmann PCC shell and moving a few roof air vents, in no time at all, John has created an undecorated shell worthy of prototypical testing.
15. Custom Traxx: PCCs in more than just San Francisco Los Angeles Railway âHuntingtonâ Car, Era 2 Shaker Heights cars running in Multiple Unit Configuration with a power bus developed by Custom Traxx Boston ex-Dallas pre-war âAir-Electric Carâ Toronto PCC #1183
16. Custom Traxx: More than just PCCs For a variety of reasons, Custom Traxx categorizes the traction industry in five eras. Era 1-Four Wheel Wood Car Era (1880-1925) Era 2-Eight Wheel Wood Car Era (1910-1940) Era 3-Conventional Steel Car Era (1920-1957) Era 4-PCC Era (1936-1985) (not pictured here) Era 5-Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Era (1975-present) Sacramento Northern Birney Car, Era 1 Los Angeles Railway âHuntingtonâ Car, Era 2 Baltimore âPeter Wittâ Car, Era 3 SEPTA PCC-II (left) and Kawasaki LRV, Era 5
17. Custom Traxx: More than just PCCs Through its close relationship with the Southern California Traction Club, Custom Traxx offers products for models across all eras of traction modeling. From top (clockwise) are shown a myriad of cars on the SCTC layout, two 1923 Philadelphia double-end Brill cars, a pair of San Francisco MUNI âPeter Wittâ cars originally built for Milan, Italy, and a âRiverfrontâ car from New Orleans.
18. Custom Traxx: We can do freight too⊠Plenty of freight was moved under overhead wire. At left is a Southern California Traction Club World War II-era troop train, in which both the steam and electric locomotive are both powered. This was no easy feat, since all power had to come through the electric locomotive as both rails are grounded for overhead wire operation. Another SCTC member made the Sacramento & Northern Steeplecab shown at lower left. Custom Traxx also does shows with other clubs, and with vehicles not powered by overhead wire. A good example is the Pennsylvania Railroad Q2 steamer & coal train shown below running on the Golden Empire Historical & Modeling Society layout in Bakersfield, California.