| 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 But then again, this is Boston - we're known best for having old, outdated equipment. |
| Click photos to enlarge | Description | Date | Location |
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01400 Work Motor #01469 sits in storage in the Red Line yard in South Boston. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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Originally built by Pullman in 1963, 01477 is still on the MBTA's roster today. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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The 01480, one of only four left of its kind, appears to stand proudly among the other cars in the Red Line fleet. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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Shown here are the coupled ends of 01477 and 01480, a married pair. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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The MBTA's Red Line yard, near Broadway station in South Boston, is home to these 01400s, as well as the active Pullmans and Bombardiers. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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Though almost identical to their 01600 cousins, the UTDC-built 01700s are nearly 20 years younger! |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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The 01700s are frequently mixed with the older 01600s and even 01500s. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA | ||
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An interesting side-by-side comparison: UTDC-built 01717, a newer Bombardier car, and Pullman-Standard 01480. |
4/1/02 | Boston, MA |
