Kawasaki Rebuild Program at Alstom

Well, as it nears 2024, I say we need a new contract for the 900s. The 900s are aging and not exactly well. They have always looked bad for as far back as I know, but they are soon going to reach 20 years of age. If they want to get things moving, they gotta just do it, and with all the new Rotems coming into service, this is the perfect time to get them out to somewhere like Hornell in NY.

As we all know, the MBTA's planning and management isn't the best, especially with the whole red line disaster going on near Braintree. And south coast rail, is not going to be finished anytime soon, so they should really get the K cars in and out of rebuild to finish this whole order. Bring the electronics up to standards, with computers that power doors and traction interlocking, and ADA screens and speakers.

-Alex

Just made a post about this in the Rotem discussion, I 100% agree

I wonder if they're just waiting to tell for sure when the rotems will be completely fault-free. If they start shipping out even just a few 900s now, who knows, maybe the new rotems will fail and then they wouldn't have enough ada bathroom cars ready for train sets. Or maybe they are at least waiting till the order is complete for a similar reason.

They have already started to fail lol

I've heard from within the T that the 900s are slated for disposal rather than rebuild. I'd like to see them match the 700s but my opinion was not solicited.

OldColonyRailfan wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 12:43 pm They have already started to fail lol

I meant have more of a major failure that needs taking a lot of the fleet out of service

CRail wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 7:18 pm I've heard from within the T that the 900s are slated for disposal rather than rebuild. I'd like to see them match the 700s but my opinion was not solicited.

I'd rather want the 900s to be rebuilt. But either way we will still have modern bilevel cars that will become the standard up north, whether it be updated 900s or new 800s

CRail wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 7:18 pm I've heard from within the T that the 900s are slated for disposal rather than rebuild. I'd like to see them match the 700s but my opinion was not solicited.

That's definitely very odd, is there any reason in particular that they would choose to rebuild all the other K-cars, but just dump the 900s?

Why would they not rebuild the Kawasakis? I rode on some recently and they still look good and ride good, although they have not kept up with the wifi and power outlet race!

No cars have WiFi anymore. The 3G equipment is no longer supported.

MBTA Proposed FY25-29 CIP https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/file ... ssible.pdf
On Page 54 there appears to be a possible option order to overhaul "34" coaches (#900 kawasaki bilevel cars). Is this new information or could it have been something they were considering to do but never did. If this were to be pursued would this be like the other rebuild the 700/1700s got or something more minor?

According to how I read it, it looks like they were going to do it, but never actually did it. Hence the reason why the status says closed out. Maybe I read it wrong, idk. I wonder if they will follow through and do all of that proposed overtime.

I think the option remains open (contractually) should they change their mind.

MBTAVideoClips wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2024 8:30 am MBTA Proposed FY25-29 CIP https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/file ... ssible.pdf
On Page 54 there appears to be a possible option order to overhaul "34" coaches (#900 kawasaki bilevel cars). Is this new information or could it have been something they were considering to do but never did. If this were to be pursued would this be like the other rebuild the 700/1700s got or something more minor?

Originally the rebuild was for the 1700 cabs and 50 coaches- # 700-749. The option was later taken to rebuild all the remaining 700 series cars. This line item isn’t for the 900s.

Right. I also got the numbers wrong, there are 33 900s, not 34, so that should've been an obvious sign.