First MBTA train cars of new generation made in Massachusetts

The first locally manufactured cars for a new generation of Orange Line trains will be rolled out of a new Massachusetts factory in a ceremony Tuesday. The new cars are manufactured by China Railroad Rolling Stock Corp., and previous cars had to be transported to Boston by container ship from Shanghai. The new factory in Springfield will turn out hundreds more for both the Orange and Red lines. Officials have said that a fleet of standardized cars built by a single manufacturer would be more efficient for training and repairs than putting contracts out to various manufacturers.Each of the new cars will cost about $2.43 million. Approximately 200 people are employed at the CRRC factory in Springfield. During 2019, the MBTA plans to put about 152 of the new cars into service. A total of 404 subway cars have been ordered. “Since taking office, our Administration has prioritized improving the core infrastructure of the T and over the next five years, the T is planning to invest $8 billion to continue these efforts,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “By completely replacing the fleets of the Orange and Red lines, and significantly upgrading signals, the T will improve reliability for riders, and we are proud to celebrate the delivery of the first new Orange Line cars today.” “We’re pleased that this milestone has been reached for these new subway cars,” said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. “A major focus to improve service has been to accelerate the pace of spending on the core infrastructure and our spending will be continuing at an aggressive pace."

The first locally manufactured cars for a new generation of Orange Line trains will be rolled out of a new Massachusetts factory in a ceremony Tuesday.

The new cars are manufactured by China Railroad Rolling Stock Corp., and previous cars had to be transported to Boston by container ship from Shanghai. The new factory in Springfield will turn out hundreds more for both the Orange and Red lines.

Officials have said that a fleet of standardized cars built by a single manufacturer would be more efficient for training and repairs than putting contracts out to various manufacturers.

Each of the new cars will cost about $2.43 million. Approximately 200 people are employed at the CRRC factory in Springfield.

During 2019, the MBTA plans to put about 152 of the new cars into service. A total of 404 subway cars have been ordered.

“Since taking office, our Administration has prioritized improving the core infrastructure of the T and over the next five years, the T is planning to invest $8 billion to continue these efforts,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “By completely replacing the fleets of the Orange and Red lines, and significantly upgrading signals, the T will improve reliability for riders, and we are proud to celebrate the delivery of the first new Orange Line cars today.”

“We’re pleased that this milestone has been reached for these new subway cars,” said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. “A major focus to improve service has been to accelerate the pace of spending on the core infrastructure and our spending will be continuing at an aggressive pace."