Connecticut Says: More M-8 Cars! The M-8s We Have Are Not Enough!!!

HARTFORD, CT, July 19, 2011 - Today, with 3 trainsets of M-8 cars operating 130 trips weekly, the State of Connecticut says that these cars are not enough. In addition to the 380 cars already ordered from the fully optioned first contract, an additional order is asking Kawasaki to build up to 25 additional cars with options for another 10-25 single cars if this additional contract is exercised by June 30, 2013. The cars will be used on the New Haven Line which services 120,000 riders a day between New Haven and New York City which is arguably called the busiest in the nation.

Connecticut’s share of the $93 million contract is $60.5 million (65%) with New York chipping in $32.6 million (35%). Governor Malloy will ask the State Bond Commission to put the state’s share on the agenda for the next meeting, scheduled for July 29.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy said, “I have made a commitment to our commuters to do everything we can to improve service, safety and reliability on the New Haven Line.” He added that, “This past winter underscored the ongoing problems with our aging train fleet, with frequent breakdowns and many cars out of service on any given day. Investing now in additional rail cars will pay off for years to come. And, we will entice more commuters to leave their cars behind and hop on the train.”

Metro-North President Howard Permut said, “Working with our partners at the Connecticut DOT, we have come up with a plan that allows for the full retirement of the problematic and obsolete design of the M-4 and M-6 fleet. This order will bring to 405 the number of new cars in service on the New Haven Line. This purchase, if approved by the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is a first for Metro-North. It will increase the efficiency of the fleet as a whole, offering maximum flexibility, while providing a modern, uniform electric fleet. While this car is good for the railroad’s ability to operate efficiently, it is our customers who will reap the benefits of bigger windows, more comfortable seats, electrical outlets at every seat, large bathrooms that work, destination signs inside and out, a crystal clear public address system and overall elegant design.”

There are a couple of differences between this new order and the previous one. These cars will cost about $3.325 million each and are ‘blind’ (not powered). There are no hostler controls or conductor communicators either which accounts for the lower cost. As single units, they will appear between M-8 pairs which is a ratio of one trailer to four powered cars.

The bottom line is that the current fleet of 'Cosmopolitan' M-2/4/6 cars will be history in 2014. It should be noted that 230 of the 337 Cosmo cars are more than 40 years old.

It would be nice if an M-2 (barcar pair), M-4 and an M-6 triplex could be saved for a transportation museum somewhere, after all, these were the cars that saved the New Haven line years ago.