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  • MBB Overhaul

  • Discussion relating to commuter rail, light rail, and subway operations of the MBTA.
Discussion relating to commuter rail, light rail, and subway operations of the MBTA.

Moderators: sery2831, CRail

 #1523811  by daybeers
 
ConnDOT will likely have them for at least another four years.
 #1523867  by ST214
 
Why overhaul the MBB's for Greenfield? With the pending Rotem order due to replace the Bombardier cars that are in MUCH better shape, I would think they would go that route. Greenfield-Springfield is a short enough distance that the lack of restrooms is not really a issue. If it is, they could always add a bathroom to the cab cars to ensure one is on each train.
 #1523886  by RenegadeMonster
 
I believe they are overhauling them now for additional capacity in existing CR territory. Not for Greenfield specifically.

Ridership is increasing. South Shore Rail is coming. New double decker coaches are being ordered. But they need more capacity sooner rather than later and need additional capacity now while waiting for the delivery of all the new coaches they ordered.
 #1525377  by njtmnrrbuff
 
The days of the MBB cars will be coming to an end in the short term. They have been around for decades and at this point, it's better to order brand new equipment. Even the ones that were rebuilt to operate in Ctrail service aren't in the best shape. CDOT is strongly considering replacing their MBB and Mafersa Cars with brand new equipment as well.
 #1525381  by Mbtagp40mc
 
They are refurbishing these to make them last until the new order of double deckers is fulfilled in 2024 or so
Last edited by CRail on Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:13 pm, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Unnecessary quote removed.
 #1525407  by Commuterrail1050
 
They need more capacity now than later which is why the stored MBBs are getting overhauled. The new batch of rotems with are the doubles start coming in 2022 and will be accepted until 2024 for more space and capacity. Yes the MBBs will be retired once the new batch takes their place.
 #1525554  by BandA
 
The MBTA has run out of time; They are irresponsible for waiting so long to order new cars & the Korean Hyundai order is not enough to replace the single-levels & allow for expansion. When they say reupholstered, do they actually mean that or will they replace the seats with off-the-shelf 2+3 seats. When they were new the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm were very comfortable and the slab-side styling looked very modern. This is basically desperation. There is a long thread around here about why it is uneconomical to rebuild the MBBs as they are a "unicorn" fleet and have lots of corrosion, but now they have no choice. Next choice would be a call to Iowa Pacific to lease the Hoosier State and Saratoga North Creek cars. Maybe GO Transit in Toronto has some spare cars ....

Also can't have people riding in the vestibules due to overcrowding and almost falling out when the door latch is broken. FRA can/should levy hefty fines for negligence if people are riding in vestibules on a regular basis.
 #1525559  by typesix
 
BandA wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:23 pm Maybe GO Transit in Toronto has some spare cars ....
The GO cars have incompatible HEP requirements with the US. Back when the T used single level GO cars around 1980, the FP10s were the only locomotives that could supply the proper electrical power. The FP10s were not the most reliable locomotive in part due to having to be able to supply both US and Canadian head end power characteristics.
 #1525571  by MBTA3247
 
Not to mention GO Transit's entire fleet consists of Bombardier BiLevel cars, which are for low-level boarding only.
 #1525572  by jwhite07
 
GO Transit uses a 575 volt HEP system. Most other railroads HEP systems supply 480 volts.

GO's cars are not compatible with the MBTA network because they have no provision for boarding at high level platforms.
 #1525575  by chrisf
 
BandA wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:23 pmWhen they say reupholstered, do they actually mean that or will they replace the seats with off-the-shelf 2+3 seats.
Some of the MBBs were refitted quite a long time ago with the 2-seat assemblies like what the Bombardier cars have, so there's a precedent for that. I don't think the MBBs are wide enough to fit a 3/2 configuration.
 #1525596  by chrisf
 
RenegadeMonster wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 8:47 am Aren't the MBB's the same width as the Rotems / K cars?
On the outside, yes. I don't know about interior dimensions.
 #1525662  by Diverging Route
 
chrisf wrote: Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:20 am
BandA wrote: Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:23 pmWhen they say reupholstered, do they actually mean that or will they replace the seats with off-the-shelf 2+3 seats.
Some of the MBBs were refitted quite a long time ago with the 2-seat assemblies like what the Bombardier cars have, so there's a precedent for that. I don't think the MBBs are wide enough to fit a 3/2 configuration.
As I recall MBB #517 had 2x3 seats from a Bombardier. There was at least one other too. They do fit.
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