| There are presently three
groups of Bombardier coaches at work for Boston's
commuter rail. All are very similar to "Comet"
cars used by ConnDOT, Metro-North, and NJ Transit.
However, there are some differences between the different
MBTA cars - especially among underbody details - because
some were built new, while others were rebuilt from older
cars. The first group is designated as BTC-1A (Blind Trailer Coaches, type 1, group A). Numbered 350-389, these 40 cars were built by Bombardier in 1987. They are 85' long, 10'-6" wide, and seat 127 passengers. Next is the BTC-1B class, also built by Bombardier in 1989-1990. There are 54 coaches, each seating 122, and 52 CTC-1B control cabs, which also seat 122. The coaches are numbered 600-653, and the cab cars are 1600-1652. 1648, which would have been the 53rd cab car, is in storage due to collision damage. Also, cars 1600-1629 have had their cab controls deactivated and are used in trains as if they were coaches. Finally, there are 57 200-series BTC-1C coaches, which were rebuilt in 1996-1997 by Morrison-Knudsen/Amerail. These cars were originally both coaches and cabs built in 1978-1979 by Pullman-Standard and numbered 300-344 (coaches) and 1300-1314 (cabs). Externally, the cars resemble the other two types, but have only 114 seats. I'm afraid none of these photos are very "scenic." They were mostly taken to show the specific underbody details, as references for my model building. |
| Click photos to enlarge | Description | Date | Location |
||
 |
Close-up of the truck detail on BTC-1A no. 354 at North Station. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
The truck detail of #627, a BTC-1B, stopped at Yawkey station. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At left is the box which may be the battery charger, and to the right on the opposite side of the car are the three transformers. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
The silver box on the right is probably a battery box. The other box, next to the truck, is the air conditioning unit. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Shown here is a partial side view of BTC-1B no. 638. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Close-up of some of the underbody details of 638. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
These two silver boxes are the circuit breaker at left and the battery charger on the right. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
The truck and main air reservoir on BTC-1B no. 650. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At left is the underbody air conditioner of an unidentified BTC-1B, and to the right is the battery box. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At the other end of the same BTC-1B is the air brake control equipment. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
On the opposite side of a BTC-1B is the circuit breaker, to the left, and what may be the battery charger to the right of it. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At left is the box which may be the battery charger, and to the right on the opposite side of the car are the three transformers. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Here at the cab end of a CTC-1B are the truck details and sandboxes (next to the step well). |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At left are the main air reservoirs, of which CTC-1s have three, and to the right are the air brake controls. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Though the carbodies are nearly identical, the underbody arrangement on BTC-1Cs is very different from that of BTC-1Bs. At center here is likely a battery box. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
This silver box is probably the HVAC controller. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Note the truck light, and on the carbody above it, an emergency access switch. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
At left is the circuit breaker, and to the right is the battery charger box. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Note the brake indicator light box above the stripes. Also, this car's handicapped-access logo is directly next to the door instead of centered between the door and the small window at left. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
This appears to be a small air reservoir, possibly an emergency tank. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
BTC-1C no. 256 sits in South Station. The camera flash helps illustrate the reflective safety striping along the lower sides. |
6/20/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
An unidentified BTC-1C departs South Station with an outbound train. Note the reflective striping on the lower sides, a feature not found on other BTC-1s. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
 |
Another BTC-1C leaving South Station. Many trains contain more than one type of equipment, and with a Messerschmitt BTC-3, two BTC-1Cs, and several Kawasaki BTC-4 bi-levels, this train is no exception. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA |
