38 replies to this topic

[EdFindlay]

If the wood paneling inside some of the MBTA’s Orange Line trains wasn’t enough to tip riders off, the transit agency’s fleet is old, with some vehicles dating back to the 1980s.

But on Tuesday, Governor Deval Patrick announced that those trains will soon be replaced with a new set of vehicles—152 to be exact—which will feature more seating and standing space for riders, wider electrically operated doors, and updated passenger information and announcement systems.

Story is here...

New cars will replace the 1980 Hawker-Siddeley cars on Orange Line and 1969 Pullman-Standard cars on the Red Line.

[KevinKorell]

Ed, the three heavy rail lines operate with no connections nor interlining between them, and as such they use equipment unique to each line, which has allowed them to use external livery matching the line's color. If I recall correctly, there has also been some internal décor such as seats on the Orange Line that also matched the color designation. Will the new cars still have this feature? Or will they go for a more generic look that both the Red and Orange Lines can use?

[EdFindlay]

Ed, the three heavy rail lines operate with no connections nor interlining between them, and as such they use equipment unique to each line, which has allowed them to use external livery matching the line's color.

If I recall correctly, there has also been some internal décor such as seats on the Orange Line that also matched the color designation.

Will the new cars still have this feature? Or will they go for a more generic look that both the Red and Orange Lines can use?

Plastic seats or anti-grafitit metal/cloth mesh seats, automatic stop announcements, internal and external cameras, and an open interior- basically upgraded mix of current Blue and Red Line cars with new features.

[KevinKorell]

Boston, MA Globe, 10/21/14:

A railcar and locomotive manufacturer controlled by China’s government has emerged as the top bidder for a $566.6 million contract to supply the MBTA with new cars for the Red and Orange lines.

More

[CNJRoss]

AP via WWLP-TV, Springfield, MA, 10/22:

MBTA board considers contract for Chinese firm
Changchun has announced plans to build cars in Springfield

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick says a Chinese company in the running to build new cars for the MBTA’s Red and Orange Lines has been “thoroughly vetted.”

The T’s board of directors is scheduled on Wednesday to discuss authorization of a $566 million initial contract to Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., a subsidiary of the Chinese-owned CNR Corp.

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Boston Business Journal, 7/7:
 

MBTA's Chinese train supplier faulted for shoddy work in Singapore

 

A Chinese train manufacturer that's building 284 subway cars for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is running into problems with one of its customers in Asia.

 

SNIP

 

In 2014, the MBTA signed a deal with CNR MA Corp. for the delivery of $566.6 million in rail cars for its Orange and Red subway lines.

 

According to the Financial Times, Singapore public transit operator SMRT said in a statement that 26 of the 35 trains delivered "had cracks in the structure connecting the car body and the framework for the wheels, which is known as a bogie."

 

According to the MBTA, the situation in Singapore has no bearing on the subway cars pending delivery, due to differing designs and materials.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Boston, MA Herald, 11/15/16:

 

MBTA unveils prototype of new Orange Line cars

 
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yesterday unveiled images of a new prototype Orange Line subway car due to be brought into service starting in January 2019 to replace decades-old rail cars.

 

Story

[CNJRoss]

WCVB-TV Boston, MA 3/22/17:
 

Mock-up offers glimpse at T's new train cars for Orange, Red Lines

 

 

MEDFORD, Mass. — Take your first look at a physical template for the new vehicles that will replace all the trains on the Orange and Red Lines over the next few decades.

 

A Chinese company, China Railroad Rolling Stock Corp. is building a factory in Springfield to manufacture the cars locally. Each of the new cars costs about $2.43 million. 

 

Related content: 

 

Take a look inside the next generation of MBTA train cars

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

MassLive.com 3/27:
 

You can check out the model of the new Orange Line train car: MBTA opens it up to public

 

 

If you're curious about the new Orange Line trains that are being manufactured in Springfield, you'll have a chance to check out a model for yourself.

 

The MBTA is placing the mock-up on display on Boston City Hall Plaza from April 3 through April 5.

 

Members of the public will be able to enter it and check out the new features like snap-back seats, wider doors, digital displays and security cameras.

 

Continue here w/photo album.

[CNJRoss]

MBTA news release 5/15/17:

 

FMCB Approves Construction Contract to Rehabilitate Wellington Maintenance Facility

 

BOSTON - The MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) today approved a contract with Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., for the construction of improvements to the Wellington Maintenance Facility, which will prepare the location for the arrival of new Orange Line vehicles. The cost of the Wellington Maintenance Facility project through FY18 is $98.28 million.

 

The Wellington Maintenance Facility project intends to rehabilitate the Wellington Carhouse in Medford in order to improve the reliability of the upcoming 152 new Orange Line cars by providing an updated maintenance facility. Six pilot Orange Line cars will be delivered in December 2017 with delivery of the new Orange Line production fleet beginning in December 2018. Improvements to Wellington Maintenance Facility include an expansion of the carhouse by one service bay to allow for the maintenance of an enlarged Orange Line fleet, rehabilitation and modernization of the existing lifts, cranes, wheel truing machinery, roof, MEP, and other updates, the addition of elevators and other accessibility accommodations, and a new electronics room for new vehicles.

 

Construction advertisements for the project began on March 23, 2017. An independent cost estimate was set at $82.35 million with the bid opening on May 11, 2017. Four bids were received with MBTA staff recommending Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., as Barletta provided the lowest bid of $72.58 million.

 

The Wellington Maintenance Facility construction project is one element of the Red Line/Orange Line Infrastructure Improvements Program. The Program's total costs are $470.36 million for FY18 and FY19 and that total includes the Orange Line Test Track and Wellington Yard project, the Wellington Yard Expansion from Tracks 33 to 38 project, the Wellington Yard Zones A and B project, the Red Line Test Track project, the Cabot Maintenance Facility project, the Cabot Yard Rebuild for Zones A through C project, and Red Line and Orange Line signal system enhancements.