Foothill Gold Line light-rail project begins testing phase

A test train completed the first run Tuesday on recently completed track as part of the Foothill Gold Line light-rail project under construction between Pasadena and Azusa, Calif.

The train, which was equipped with special gear for testing and protective purposes, was pulled about five miles by a hi-rail vehicle from the Sierra Madre Villa station in East Pasadena through the cities of Arcadia and Monrovia, said Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority officials in a press release.

The official testing process between California Avenue in Monrovia and the San Gabriel River Bridge in Irwindale was scheduled to begin yesterday.

"Reaching the beginning of the testing period for this project is an important achievement for our team," said Habib Balian, the authority's chief executive officer. "It allows us to test critical elements of the project within specific areas and identify any issues needing to be resolved."

Over the next two weeks, the train will be used to continue testing clearances at stations and with the overhead catenary system, wheel/rail interfaces and rail switches. The testing phase also will include live wire testing.

The testing phase will continue until September 2015, when the authority expects to turn over the line to the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for pre-revenue service, said Balian.

The test train is a light-rail vehicle from LACMTA's current fleet. The $4 million AnsaldoBreda P2250 weighs more than 100,000 pounds.