New MBTA Red Line cars hit the rails for the first time in 26 years

The last time new Red Line cars entered service, the Celtics and Bruins still played at the Boston Garden and Tom Menino was still learning the ropes of being the mayor of Boston. The year: 1994.

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News.

Old Red Line cars at JJK Station
A Boston Fire Dept image

New MBTA Red Line cars hit the rails for the first time in 26 years.

Even so, the introduction into service of six new Red Line cars made in China was relatively quietly implemented on Wednesday.

That and in the wake of problems putting new Orange Line cars into service earlier this year, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak tamped down his enthusiasm:

New Chinese Orange Line cars have been problematic
Image via CBS Boston

“While the MBTA is pleased to put the first new Red Line train into passenger service, there is much work ahead of us.  As we enter 2021, the cars’ manufacturer and our vehicle engineering team are singularly focused on improving the pace of production and delivery.  Subjecting the new Red Line and Orange Line trains to a high degree of scrutiny, the MBTA will continue to closely monitor the cars to ensure they are performing at optimum levels.  When ridership begins to rebound in the future, new trains and major infrastructure improvements will combine to provide Red Line and Orange Line riders with safe and reliable service for decades.”

An old Red Line car
MBTA Passenger Catherine Groux Twitter photo

The new Red Line cars are expected to last about 30 years. 

The MBTA has ordered 252 new cars for the Red Line and which are slated to all be in use by 2024. 

By when in 2024, however, remains to be seen. 

After all, we are talking the T.

Source: For the First Time in 26 Years, New MBTA Red Line Train Cars Hit the Rails

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