LIRR Metropolitan commuter car history, and let it be known.
December 30th, 1968: The ultimate train cars of the future that seem like what you would see out of the Jetsons embarks on its' maiden voyage on a cold morning from Babylon to Penn Station. Train 93 is made up of the new Metropolitan M1 cars, marking the beginning of the modern era thanks to Governor Rockefeller. It departs at 5:52 AM and arrives at 7:10 AM. Notable LIRR employees are among the passengers including William J. Ronan, the first chairman, who would pass away at the age of 101 in 2014. From then to 1974, a total of 770 M1 cars (9001-9770) go into service replacing train cars that had been in service since the 1920's!
1984-1986: LIRR supplements the service fleet with the compatible M3 cars, which possess a different train horn and sliding conductor windows. A total of 174 cars numbered 9771-9944. Unfortunately, cars 9891-9892 become the "Ferguson Cars" and are renumbered 9945-9946.
September 10th, 1985: First M3 revenue consist originates at Jamaica and terminates at Penn Station.
1999: Long Island Rail Road signs a contract with Bombardier to build a brand new passenger car to replace the soon to be 40 year old M1 cars.
October 30th, 2002: Bombardier's new car, the M7, goes on its' inaugural passenger trip from Long Beach to Penn Station. Immediately following, from 2003-2007, the M1's are phased out after 40 years of service. On November 4th, 2006 a Farewell to the M1 fan trip is held. From 2002-2007, a total of 836 M7 cars (7001-7836) are delivered.
2014: Long Island Rail Road signs a contract with Kawasaki to replace the 174 remaining M3 cars. An entirely different fleet, designated the M9 will not be compatible with the M7. Just like the M1's, they will be numbered in the same manner as the M1's (9000 series), but possess different qualities compared to their cousins. Just like the M3's this supplements the fleet in anticipation of the Ronkonkoma Branch Double Tracking, The Third Track Project, and Eastside Access to Grand Central.
September 11th, 2019: After several delays due to testing, the first revenue M9 departs Huntington at 6:50 AM bound for Hunterspoint Avenue.
TBD: The last revenue M3, and complete scrapping of that fleet. I would love to buy a car and a mushroom light.
Last edited by MattAmity90 on Wed Sep 11, 2019 2:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This is the train to (NYC). Stopping at: Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague, Amityville, Massapequa Park, Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Valley Stream, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, Woodside, Penn Station OR Grand Central.
