The first assembled Purple Line train in its factory. Image by MDOT.

While the Purple Line won’t open to riders until 2022 or 2023, the first of what will be 26 Purple Line trains has finished assembly at its factory in Elmira, New York.

For the record, assembly doesn’t mean the train could carry passengers today. Software probably hasn’t been installed yet, and at the very least the train will have to go through a rigorous safety testing phase. And as you can see from the inside, it’s still in its factory wrapper.

Image by MDOT.

Ready or not, serious progress is so wonderful to see.