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Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

nj.com

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Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#21

Post by scherlock »

Reason077 wrote: post #13
anarchogeek wrote: post #11

I took a commuter train in NJ earlier this year and i was shocked at the windows. Seriously, every other train system in the world can pull off clean windows but not New Jersey? India? Clean windows. China? Clean windows... You can't blame pollution... you can't blame regulation because they've got tons of that in Norway and Japan and they're able to keep their windows clean.

It’s not an issue with dirt on the windows, but rather etching/clouding of the window glass which makes it appear dirty. It’s certainly not unique to NJ: it happens on a lot of older trains in Europe, but I’ve never seen it so bad as in the NJ photos. I guess something about the coating they use on the glass (to improve safety, insulation, etc) makes it vulnerable to clouding and scratching over time. Climate, air po…

The windows are not glass, they are 1/2" polycarbonate, per the article, which is easily scratched and susceptible to UV damage. That is the problem. They could likely be polished but then they need to retest the windows for safety compliance.

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#23

Post by presentation »

imajoredinecon wrote: post #12
anarchogeek wrote: post #11

I took a commuter train in NJ earlier this year and i was shocked at the windows. Seriously, every other train system in the world can pull off clean windows but not New Jersey? India? Clean windows. China? Clean windows... You can't blame pollution... you can't blame regulation because they've got tons of that in Norway and Japan and they're able to keep their windows clean.

If only “every other” were true. LIRR, NYC: same problem. Metra, Chicago: same problem.

So basically, the United States is incompetent and every other country in the world isn’t. Got it.

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#24

Post by noahtallen »

adgjlsfhk1 wrote: post #14
userbinator wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the other hand, it's far harder to break than glass, which is important for equipment that will be subjected to vandals.

why would vandalism be more of an issue for trains than cars?

It doesn’t matter which is a bigger target, it’s whether trains are a target at all. Vandalism definitely impacts cars; there are lots of issues with broken glass in cities around the world. Sometimes from a random person just smashing every car on the block, or for theft.

But trains are definitely a big target, given you’ll find them all sitting outside overnight in a remote lot which might not be protected very well.

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#25

Post by analog31 »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #18
Reason077 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s not an issue with dirt on the windows, but rather etching/clouding of the window glass which makes it appear dirty. It’s certainly not unique to NJ: it happens on a lot of older trains in Europe, but I’ve never seen it so bad as in the NJ photos. I guess something about the coating they use on the glass (to improve safety, insulation, etc) makes it vulnerable to clouding and scratching over time. Climate, air po…

The older single level Comet cars don't have this problem nor does the light rail. Seems the solution is to replace with a longer lasting window material which is already known to work.

That material is glass. However... replacing panes with glass isn't a straight swap of one material for another. The glass has to be protected around the edges, it can't be drilled for screw holes, etc. The re-design involves not just the window material but the window system.

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#27

Post by chiph »

UV exposure can certainly cause this, but what about their train washing systems? They commonly have large rotating plastic brushes and if grit gets caught up in the brush it's going to sand anything with a lower Mohs hardness.

Los Angeles Metro wash system - note that they use glass and don't have this problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1JxVOzAz6E

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#28

Post by DiggyJohnson »

presentation wrote: post #23
imajoredinecon wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If only “every other” were true. LIRR, NYC: same problem. Metra, Chicago: same problem.

So basically, the United States is incompetent and every other country in the world isn’t. Got it.

That’s a ridiculous takeaway. It seems like you’re looking for hyperbole or otherwise have a bone to pick.

Re: Commuter train window cleaning conundrum in NJ

#30

Post by presentation »

DiggyJohnson wrote: post #28
presentation wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So basically, the United States is incompetent and every other country in the world isn’t. Got it.

That’s a ridiculous takeaway. It seems like you’re looking for hyperbole or otherwise have a bone to pick.

I mean literally the commenter listed out places all over the world with a tiny fraction of the resources that don’t have these types of problems and the counter examples are all American cities, it is no secret that US public transit is consistently worse than those practically anywhere else regardless of how proud those people may be.
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