-Garrett wrote:I can't remember if anyone mentioned this, but do the Rehabed Type 7's look any different on the inside as well? Are they applying the same new seat padding and hand grabbers as in the other lines?
Except for the interior LED screens for the ASA system the Type 7's modded to trainline with Type 8's are no different on the inside. But then again those had no modifications done except for the ASA and trainline electronics because the rest is being done in the rehab program next year. No details yet released on what will be changed except for the exterior body work to fix the dings and rust, and the new paint job. I would think the seats would probably be re-padded since they're still the original 1986 fabric and that you'd get the hand straps the heavy-rail cars are getting. Probably also will get the fiberglass Green Line maps over the doors replaced since they're all falling off and the eliminated B-line stops are covered in white-out. Unfortunately also means the 1986 system maps that are in the ad frames behind the operator cabin will probably be replaced...if you peek behind the ad you'll still see the Washington St. El stops!
Don't know what else may get changed. There's been rumors that they'll get AC propulsion, meaning they'd take on the trademark whine of the Type 8's. Probably will also see the exterior brake lights. door lights, and in-service lights replaced with LED's so they're brighter and they don't have to change bulbs anymore (they did that on all the rehabbed RTS buses so natural to do it here), and would probably make sense to add the turn signals that the Type 8's have since they're needed on the E at Huntington-South Huntington and South Huntington-Heath loop, the B at Packard's Corner and Lake St./BC, and yard moves at Cleveland Circle/Reservoir carhouse and Chestnut Hill Ave. And of course it would be great (if wishful thinking) to replace those awful, awful unreadable LCD destination signs with those bright and razor-sharp LED ones all the buses now have.