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M8 (railcar)

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M8
Specifications
Current collector(s)third rail catenary
Braking system(s)Regenerative / Pneumatic
File:M8.JPG
An M8 being built.

The M-8 is an electric multiple unit railroad car built by Kawasaki for use on the New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad.[1] [2] The cars were ordered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation which has ordered 342 cars out of a total 380 cars, the rest of which are still on option. The M8 improves on the design of the M-7 car used on the Harlem Line and the Hudson Line.[3] It will replace the 240 M-2's which have been in use for over 30 years.[4] Current schedule calls for an eight car test train to be delivered late 2009.[5] Full production of the M8's is to begin in early 2010 and the cars are to be delivered at a rate of 10 cars per month[6] until delivery is completed in late 2012. The M8s will differ most from the M7s in that they will have both third-rail and catenary electrical power. The M8s will be able to pick up 750 Volt direct current power from third rail via shoes for operation along the New Haven Line from Grand Central to Pelham, 12.5 kV AC power from overhead lines via pantographs for operation from Pelham to New Haven (as well as along the New Canaan Branch), and 25 kV AC power from overhead for operation along the Shore Line East route east of New Haven. Unlike in earlier classes, changeover between the two AC voltages can be made by the engineer while on the move.[7]

As of Aug 6, 2010, Governor Rell has approved expansion of the purchase order by an additional $226.3 million to cover all options, bringing the fleet total to 380 cars. [8]

In response to rising number of people seeking to use their bicycle to solve the "last mile problem" between Metro North stations and destinations, ConnDOT has pledged to provide hooks for storage of two bicycles in the disabled riders area of each rail car. In the event that a disabled rider boards a car, all cyclists must move their bicycles to the entry vestibule. The effort to procure bike hooks is in fulfillment of a letter from Governor Jodi Rell on June 6, 2008 directing "that the new [M-8] rail cars provide adequate bicycle storage." As of October, 2009, Metro-North and ConnDOT have issued a Request for Information (RFI) to vendors of bicycle hooks and are moving forward with issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). The most suitable bicycle hook will then be selected from among the solicited proposals. In spite of the planned hook installation, during peak travel periods only folding bicycles are permitted aboard most Metro North trains.

Exterior design

Interior design

Traction system

Designs and alternatives

The M-8 was designed by Cesar Vergara, a train designer from Ridgefield, Connecticut,


See also

References

  1. ^ <-Kawasaki Rail Car Inc.,->
  2. ^ MTA Newsroom
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "Talking Transportation": M8
  5. ^ http://blog.stamfordadvocate.com/stamford411/2009/10/21/first-of-new-m-8-railcars-leaving-japan-in-days-metro-north-chief-says/
  6. ^ press release from Connecticut's Governor
  7. ^ "M-8 Rail Cars Project No. 300-0116" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29. [dead link]
  8. ^ [2]

M8 Railcar Prototype Video Tour

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