M-8 Cars - Delivery and Acceptance

There was alots of M8s runs I saw today:

Trains, #6321,6322,6323,6329,3433,6530, 6336 and 3442.

M8s deadheading to Bridgeport
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10xbsjUORMs

Train #3433 in South Norwalk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAYcsq3yI2Q

Train #6321 in Port Chester
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPZN35C9NyU

Train #6322
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmaFDTcK6fU

I say 9146-9149 last night in Stamford.

Anyone have an updated list as to what trains the M8s are being used on?

A westbound test train was in the Fairfield area around 2146 hours/9:46 PM. They are making simulated stops. Exact destination unknown. District F asked them to skip East Norwalk and South Norwalk so the Danbury train wouldn't be delayed.

from trainorders.com

4 more M-8 ojn their way in special move.

Last Movement Results
Equipment ID Event Location Local Time
UP7507 Departed Elmhurst, IL 11/26/2011 8:41
KRMX9142 Departed Elmhurst, IL 11/26/2011 8:41
KRMX9143 Departed Elmhurst, IL 11/26/2011 8:41
KRMX9168 Departed Elmhurst, IL 11/26/2011 8:41
KRMX9169 Departed Elmhurst, IL 11/26/2011 8:41
Est Interchange Baryard, IL 11/26/2011 12:43

RailNet802, out

also as of wednesday there appears to be 5 x m-8 trains in service.

6529 reporting 9122's pantograph automatically lowered in the Bridgeport area. Don't know why. 9133 leader-9130 trailing.
UPDATE 12:23 PM: They will be met at Stamford Yard by a mechanic to inspect it.

M-8 pantograph's have hollow carbon strips which are pressurized, pantograph lowers automaticly if carbon strip is damaged , and pressure drops, so it won't tear down the catenary.

This morning, someone caught an m-8 train with a trailing pair of 9156 and 9157.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6KiQeok ... ture=g-all

Just saw 9154/55 pass through Fordham sandwiched inbetween lower numbered M8. Train was not in service

Tonight's consist for 1588 is 9104/9105, 9148/9149, & 9146/9147 (6 cars/3 pairs).

5588 I believe was the equipment train that had the 9168/69 and the other pair with the 110 towing to NHV last night 11/29. Came down from Harmon as 5788.

Latest: http://mta.info/mnr/html/newM8.html

Current Status of the M-8s

Delivered to New Haven Yard Under Inspection and Testing by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. Conditionally Accepted by Metro-North Railroad Information Provided
56 (total) 12 44(includes 2 undergoing modifications) 11/28/11

Hope that^ formats. 56 delivered, 12 testing, 44 accepted (2 undergoing modification), as of 11.28

More M-8's In Service

A total of 42 M8s support the scheduled 34 M8s (two 8-car train sets and 3 6-car train sets) now operating in regularly scheduled train service as of November 28, 2011.

Production Progress

18 M8s manufactured in Lincoln, Nebraska and 38 M8s manufactured in Kobe, Japan have arrived in New Haven as of November 28, 2011.
The plant has also shipped four more cars since November 16 and the expectation is that there will be approximately 60 M-8 cars in service by the end of 2011.
The Lincoln plant was shut down for the month of April due to a production error with welds on brackets holding components to the underside of the cars. The brackets are made by several manufacturers near the Kawasaki plant in Kobe, Japan.The bracket problem has no impact on the Lincoln production line.
The bracket welds are not a safety concern, but could be a durability issue and therefore they will be replaced with uniform size and strength brackets that conform to design specifications

I know the questions been asked about the modifications; I think the last blurb explains it; are they pulling the Kobe cars out to replace the brackets?

Another question: why would they hold out 8 cars as reserves? Why not just 2, and use another 6 car set?

There must always be spare pairs held in reserve so pairs that are in service can be removed from service for periodic maintainance, or if it develops a shoppable problem. This way a train of 8 cars can be kept at 8 cars and not cut down to 6.

Here are videos of the M8s which I took last Weekend (Thanksgiving Hoilday Weekend) and today 12/3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEbEllJKI3o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7oWIi26hnI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYvTEH-TRSk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwDkC6nTOZU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8evl1f9uvjg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiNq5Esslgs

6th train by monday ??? 48 accepted ??

http://mta.info/mnr/html/newM8.html