As FasTracks’ first commuter rail corridor gets ready to come out of the ground, its appropriate to take a more in-depth look at the railcar that will be moving us to and from destinations along across the mega project’s northern reaches. RTD and Denver Transit Partners (DTP, RTD’s Eagle Project Concessionaire team) have assembled a mock-up of the electric multiple unit (EMU) that will ferry passengers and displayed it outside the Wynkoop Street doors at Union Station.
The mock-up shows the front 1/3 of a rail car. These rail cars are made by Hyundai Rotem USA – they have produced more than 15,000 electric and diesel railcars. These cars meet Buy America requirements with more than 60% of the vehicle made in America. The cars will be assembled in Philadelphia and then shipped to Denver once they are completed. These are the same model of cars that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia has ordered as well.
A few quick facts on the vehicle:
- Powered by 25kV AC overheard electrical system
- Top operating speed of 79 mph
- Room for 90 seats, 140 standing
- Will operate in “married pairs” – two cars traveling together; married pairs are more cost-effective to use and do not require operating cabs on either end of the car
- RTD will purchase 50 vehicles (at about $4 million each) to operate on all commuter rail corridors
This RTD mockup will be on display through June 18 between 8am-6pm every day. Get down there and take a look if you have a chance!
Is it just me, or does it look like there’s a crime scene in the back of the train in the last picture?
It is Caution tape, but thats because there’s a background image showing a rendering of the rest of the train. What visitors can walk in and experience is only the front 1/3 of a train car. I thought of it as an old Wile E. Coyote cartoon – it’s just an image and RTD didn’t want anyone walking into it. Odd….I know…
Haha I know what it is, just trying and failing to be humorous. 😉
It’s my fault. In a heightened state of excitement, I sprinted for the back of the train. It wasn’t to be…
For those interested in seeing the exterior, look up pictures of the SEPTA Silverliner V cars.
Could those trains be any uglier? What is with Denver, is style never an option? Great design never seems to be taken under consideration in this ciy.
Matter of opinion I guess Terry – however, I’d definitely choose function over style when it comes to my billion dollar rail corridor vehicle. That’s not to say that the train has to authoritarian, however. These trains are what was proposed to DTP’s bids and they’re in use in Philly – if not more places. I’d hate to build the corridor and then find out the train doesn’t work…