7000 series (CTA)
| 7000 series | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In service | 2020 (projected) |
| Manufacturer | CRRC Sifang America |
| Built at | CRRC Plant, Chicago, Illinois |
| Replaced |
2600-series (base order) 3200-series (options if picked up) |
| Constructed | 2019 (projected) |
| Number under construction | Order of 400 cars (200 sets) |
| Formation | Married pair |
| Fleet numbers | 7001–7400 (base order) |
| Capacity | 38 seats minimum, exact total TBA |
| Operator(s) | Chicago Transit Authority |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel with fiberglass end bonnets |
| Car length | 48 feet (14.63 m) |
| Width | 9 feet 4 inches (2.84 m) |
| Height | 12 feet (3.66 m) |
| Doors | 4 per car |
| Maximum speed |
Design: 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) Service: 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) |
| Electric system(s) | Third rail, 600 V DC |
| Current collection method | Contact shoe |
| Braking system(s) | Regenerative and Pneumatic |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The 7000 series is an upcoming series of railcar for the Chicago "L". The order is for 400 cars and will be used to replace the 2600-series cars, which are currently assigned to the Blue, Brown, and Orange Lines. If all options are picked up, these cars will replace the 3200-series cars, which are currently assigned to the Blue, Orange, and Brown Lines. Including all options, which is a total of 846 cars, the order will cost $1.3 billion.[1] Prototypes for testing to be delivered in late 2019 and then delivery of the production cars beginning in 2020.[2] The cars will be built at a new CRRC Sifang America railcar manufacturing plant at 135th and Torrence in Chicago's Hegewisch neighborhood, construction of the factory began in March 2017, with production to begin at the factory in early 2019.[3]
On February 20, 2016, two finalists were announced for the contract—Bombardier Transportation and CRRC Sifang America.[4] On March 9, 2016, the contract was awarded to CRRC Sifang America, with a bid that is $226 million lower than Bombardier's.[5][6] However, on April 12, 2016, it was announced that Bombardier filed a protest of the award, alleging that CTA rigged the procurement to give CRRC an unfair advantage.[7] On September 28, 2016, the CTA finalized its decision to make CRRC Sifang America the manufacturer of the 7000-series cars.[8][9]
References
- ↑ https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/could-the-cta-pay-the-price-for-trumps-trade-war-with-china
- ↑ https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/2018_Budget_Book_2017-11-21_FINAL_web_version.pdf
- ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-cta-new-railcar-plant-0316-biz-20170315-story.html
- ↑ Greg Hinz. "What's really going down with the CTA's big rail car deal". Crain's Communications. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- ↑ "CTA board approves contract to replace half of rail cars". Chicago Tribune. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ↑ "CTA Chooses Manufacturer for Newest-Generation Rail Cars". Transit Chicago.
- ↑ "Losing bidder accuses CTA of rigging rail car deal". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ↑ "CTA finalizes $1.3 billion rail car deal". Crain's Chicago Business. 2016-09-28.
- ↑ "Bidder loses appeal of biggest rail car contract in CTA history". Chicago Sun-Times.
External links
- 7000-series Cars at Chicago-L.org