Mafersa Coach
A consist of Mafersa coaches leaving Old Saybrook station in 2018
Interior of a CTDOT coach on Shore Line East service in 2018
ManufacturerMafersa
Constructed1991–1992
Entered service1992
Number built38
Operators
Lines servedHartford Line from New Haven to Springfield
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length85.3 feet (26.0 m)[1]
Width10 feet (3.0 m)[1]
Height13.29 feet (4.05 m)[1]
Floor height51.5 inches (1,310 mm)
Doors2 pairs end doors, manual operation
Maximum speed90 miles per hour (140 km/h)
Power supply480 V AC
Coupling systemAAR type H
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Mafersa coaches are a class of 38 passenger railroad cars built by Brazilian manufacturer Mafersa. Originally built for Virginia Railway Express (VRE) in 1991–92, they are currently operated by Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and QIT-Fer et Titane.

History

Mafersa built the coaches new for VRE for $24.7 million.[2] VRE sold 33 of the coaches to CTDOT in 2004 for its Shore Line East service.[3] QIT-Fer et Titane, a Quebec mining company, purchased the remaining five cars in 2008.[4] The CTDOT cars were used for CT Rail Shore Line East service until 2022, then moved to Hartford Line service.[5]

In August 2023, CTDOT approved a contract with Alstom for 60 single-level passenger cars, which will replace the Mafersa coaches in Hartford Line service (as well as Shoreliner cars on other lines) beginning in 2026.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c The 1997 Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia. ISBN 0-911382-20-8.
  2. ^ Middleton, William D. (1994). North American commuter rail 1994. Pasadena, CA: Pentrex. p. 16. OCLC 32665882.
  3. ^ "Connecticut State Rail Plan 2012-2016" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Transportation. 2012. pp. 37, 238. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  4. ^ Taube, Richard K. (11 August 2008). "Chronology of the Virginia Railway Express: 1964 to Present" (PDF). Virginia Railway Express. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. ^ Hartley, Scott A. (May 24, 2022). "Connecticut replaces diesel Shore Line East trains with electric multiple-unit equipment". Trains magazine.
  6. ^ "Alstom to supply 60 single-level coach cars to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for its statewide rail system" (Press release). Alstom. August 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "Governor Lamont Announces Purchase of 60 New Rail Cars to Modernize Commuter Rail Lines" (Press release). Connecticut Department of Transportation. August 9, 2023.

External links

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