by realtype
Matt Johnson wrote:...but why did they decide on gallery cars? I thought passengers hated those things!Passenger's definitely do hate them. I've noticed that passengers on MARC's Brunswick Line (the only line that operates MARC's few gallery cars), will typically boycott them and try to cram in the more comfortable single level cars (usually the cab car). VRE's "new" gallery cars however, apparently have more creature comforts such as high-backed seats (definitely a major plus) and next station LED displays.
The main reason why they chose gallery cars though, is because they provide easier access to low-level platforms, which is all VRE (and nearly all the other systems outside of the Northeast) uses, unlike MARC and other the Northeast systems, which use a mix of high and low platforms. It probably gets tiresome for conductors to have to open the trapdoors of the Kawasakis at every station, especially since most VRE trains are 6-8 cars long.
But then again Bombardier bi-levels are low-level only, way more comfortable than gallery cars, are more popular with riders, and have better access for the disabled. Maybe VRE didn't have enough $$$...