MTA Metro-North Awards Bid For New CT M-8 Railcar

[x635 4,066]

Exciting news! The State Of Connecticut has finally awarded the bid for the new M-8 railcars. And they will be assembled at Kawasaki's Yonkers facilty. I can't wait to see and ride these new trains, they're definetly long overdue.

Contract awarded for new Metro North railcars

By ROB VARNON

Connecticut Post Online

Relief from the smelly bathrooms and hot summers without air conditioning is on its way for the state's long-suffering train commuters — Connecticut has awarded Kawasaki of Japan a $522 million contract to build 210 new railcars for the Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line. The cars are expected to go into service in 2009.

COMPLETE ARTICLE:

http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_4083592

Below are two image links I found on a cool rail forum, Railroad.net'sMetro-North forum

Conceptual Color Drawing:

http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m...exterior5sh.jpg

Lifelike Conceptual Photo:

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/4628/m8...ngmedium2sd.jpg

Interior Concept Drawing:

http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m...aldesign8jb.jpg

(These images posted and thanks to ImageShack by Railroad.net members "L-Dog" and "DutchRailnut")

Edited July 23, 2006 by x635

[IzzyEng4 427]

THANK GOD!!! Finally some new cars, though I'll have to admit I'll miss some of the old ones. So when they get up here in New Haven, I'll see if I can use my connections to gett some cool shots. (My company's chief driver runs the New Haven shops) I know it will be a while but it would be cool to see the Connecticut seal on cars in Yonkers!!

[Guest]

How big is the Yonkers railcar facility? I know they also make subway cars there, but it's got to be a huge place to be able to produce that many cars.

If I'm not mistaken,it's right in the middle of downtown Yonkers? Is there any room to expand?

There's got to be a lot of freight coming in and out too, does most of the parts come via railway?

[cas2383 22]

It is about time, the trains now are a step away from deplorable.

[Guest]

How big is the Yonkers railcar facility? I know they also make subway cars there, but it's got to be a huge place to be able to produce that many cars.

If I'm not mistaken,it's right in the middle of downtown Yonkers?  Is there any room to expand?

There's got to be a lot of freight coming in and out too, does most of the parts come via railway?

←

I think it used to be the old Otis elevator factory.

The current train cars are very beat up, can't wait to see the new ones.

[BmSmall92 1]

Until the M7's came out the New Haven line had the news fleet of mu cars with m4's coming out in 87 and m6's coming out in 90. With that said the M2 equipment really needed replacement. The Kawasaki plant in Yonkers from the outside has a 5 track yard to store these new m8's. The plant itself produced over hundred subway cars in a couple year period and also refurbished several VRE and MBTA cars in the process.