Rumors have been floating around the Metro-North Forum regarding the purchase of new or used equipment by CT DOT to ease over crowding on CT commuter trains. One source of used equipment was a possible purchase or lease of VRE's Maerfsa coaches and cabs. As recently as two years ago, VRE was actively seeking more cars to ease overcrowding. They were looking at ex- CNW-Metra cars and NJT's Comet I's. I understand that some of the CNW cars were purchased, but I thought there were simply intended for expansion and to replace the sounder cars when they were returned. Has this situation changed and thus the single-level cars have become freed up for lease/purchase? or is this just a rumor?
The ex-Metra bilevels are to handle current passenger loads. VRE's capacity is dictated by their midday storage space at Ivy City and the number of trains they can run (currently at 32). Since the bilevels can accomodate more and the storage facilities at the ends of the line have little room to store inactive equipment, those are the primary reasons for the possible sale/lease of the Mafersa's to CDOT. The "expansion" of service (in terms of additional trains) is contingent upon the completion of the bridge at Quantico Creek.
The Sounder cars are due to return as the influx of the ex-Metra's continue, so there should be minimal impact from that.
As info, VRE also has two new F40's running.