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Currently, the MBTA has
several types of Red Line cars on its roster. The oldest
are the 01400-series #5 Cambridge Tunnel cars, built by
Pullman-Standard in 1962-1963. This fleet of cars was
retired a number of years ago, but four remain on the
roster, having been rebuilt as "01400 Work
Motors." They can be found typically in the South
Boston yard, around the corner from the Broadway station.
These cars, 01469/70 and 01477/80, are in the current
red-and-white paint scheme, but when built they were
painted in blue and gold, the colors of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts which funded them.
Next are the 01500s and 01600s, built in 1969-1970 by
Pullman-Standard. Aptly referred to as the South Shore
Cars, they were purchased to serve on the Red Line
extension to Quincy and later Braintree, which opened
shortly after their arrival. When built, the 01500s were
single units with a cab at each end, and the 01600s were
married pairs with a cab at one end of each car. All cars
sported a brushed aluminum finish with a thin red stripe.
In the 1980s, they were rebuilt, with the 01500s now
having only one cab, and all were repainted into the
red-and-white scheme to match the 01400s. This group of
cars is still in regular service today.
To supplement the South Shore cars, a new batch was
ordered in the late-1980s from UTDC. These cars appear to
be outwardly identical to the 01600s. They were delivered
in the red-and-white scheme and are also still in
service.
In the early 1990s, another new fleet of cars was
ordered, this time from Bombardier. Much like the South
Shore cars when new, these cars were delivered with
natural stainless-steel bodies and a medium-width red
stripe. Compared to the Pullmans, these cars seem
futuristic, featuring AC propulsion and computerized stop
announcements and destination signs. Acceleration and
deceleration is very smooth.
Since the oldest cars currently in service were built in
1969, perhaps these 33-year-old cars will be retired in
the near future, and another new fleet will supplement
the 01800s. But then again, this is Boston - we're known
best for having old, outdated equipment. |
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