Metro-North Gets Kawasaki on Track
Rail commuters in Connecticut received an early Christmas gift as the first two M8 rail cars manufactured in Japan by Kawasaki arrived recently at the New Haven rail yard.
Inspecting the new cars, Gov. M. Jodi Rell acknowledged the work of the CT Rail Commuter Council in helping bring the new cars to the state. “Commuters have been very patient,” she said. “But the wait is over”.
Connecticut’s current fleet of 343 M2, M4 and M6 cars has some which date back to 1976.
The first pilot M8 cars must undergo four to six months of testing before any of the 300 cars in the M8 order will go into passenger service. Additional cars will start arriving this winter at a rate of 10 per month as the pilot car testing is underway. The first M8s are being manufactured in Kobe, Japan, but the bulk of the order will be built in Lincoln, Neb.
“This is a wonderful Christmas present,” said Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron. “It has certainly been worth the wait”.
Extensive input from commuters was sought in the design of the cars which incorporate new amenities such a power-plugs at each row of seats, LED displays and automated PA announcements for each station stop as well as PA speakers on the outside of cars to alert boarders of the train’s destination. Each seat is also equipped with its own headrest. Seating is two seats on one side and three on the other.
Each train is also equipped with GPS equipment, redundant HVAC systems and ADA-accessible bathrooms. The cars are also “Wi-Fi ready” for when an Internet access technology is finally chosen.
If testing progresses as hoped, the first new M8 cars will be in passenger service late fall or early winter of 2010.
Created by the Connecticut legislature as watchdogs for the interests of rail commuters on Metro-North and Shore Line East, the CT Rail Commuter Council has 13 members appointed by lawmakers. All are commuters who serve without compensation. The Council meets monthly at various stations served by the railroad in Connecticut. Information: trainweb.org/ct.
Source: Metro-North Gets Kawasaki on Track
Inspecting the new cars, Gov. M. Jodi Rell acknowledged the work of the CT Rail Commuter Council in helping bring the new cars to the state. “Commuters have been very patient,” she said. “But the wait is over”.
Connecticut’s current fleet of 343 M2, M4 and M6 cars has some which date back to 1976.
The first pilot M8 cars must undergo four to six months of testing before any of the 300 cars in the M8 order will go into passenger service. Additional cars will start arriving this winter at a rate of 10 per month as the pilot car testing is underway. The first M8s are being manufactured in Kobe, Japan, but the bulk of the order will be built in Lincoln, Neb.
“This is a wonderful Christmas present,” said Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron. “It has certainly been worth the wait”.
Extensive input from commuters was sought in the design of the cars which incorporate new amenities such a power-plugs at each row of seats, LED displays and automated PA announcements for each station stop as well as PA speakers on the outside of cars to alert boarders of the train’s destination. Each seat is also equipped with its own headrest. Seating is two seats on one side and three on the other.
Each train is also equipped with GPS equipment, redundant HVAC systems and ADA-accessible bathrooms. The cars are also “Wi-Fi ready” for when an Internet access technology is finally chosen.
If testing progresses as hoped, the first new M8 cars will be in passenger service late fall or early winter of 2010.
Created by the Connecticut legislature as watchdogs for the interests of rail commuters on Metro-North and Shore Line East, the CT Rail Commuter Council has 13 members appointed by lawmakers. All are commuters who serve without compensation. The Council meets monthly at various stations served by the railroad in Connecticut. Information: trainweb.org/ct.
Source: Metro-North Gets Kawasaki on Track
