CRRC HR4000
The HR4000 is an electric multiple unit rapid transit (known locally as a subway) car being manufactured by CRRC and assembled in Springfield, Massachusetts for the Los Angeles Metro Rail’s B and D lines. A total of 64 cars are being built as part of the base order, primarily for the initial section of the D Line Extension, with 5 (contradictory information exists about this) options that total 218 cars, 282 cars total, intended to replace the Breda A650 as well as for overall expansion and to accommodate the later parts of the extension.[3][4][5][6]
| CRRC HR4000 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | CRRC |
| Assembly | Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Replaced | Breda A650 |
| Constructed | 2021–present |
| Number under construction | 58 |
| Number built | 6 |
| Fleet numbers | 4001–4064 (base) |
| Operator(s) |  |
| Depot(s) | Division 20 (Los Angeles River) |
| Line(s) served |   |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 150 ft (45.72 m) |
| Car length | 75 ft (22.86 m) |
| Width | 10 ft (3,048 mm) |
| Floor height | 44+3⁄4 in (1,136.7 mm) |
| Doors | Sliding pocket, 3 per side |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (112 km/h) |
| Traction motors | 8 × TSA TME 46-17-4 259 hp (193 kW)[1] |
| Electric system(s) | Third rail, 750 V DC |
| Current collector(s) | Contact shoe |
| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′ |
| AAR wheel arrangement | B-B+B-B |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| [2] | |
Development
Shortly after the groundbreaking of the D Line Extension in 2014, procurement started for new trains to run on it. The base order consists of 64 cars, 34 for Section 1 of the D Line Extension and 30 to replace the first order of A650s (cars 501-530) with DC motors, which would have been retired in 2021, although this has not occurred. In 2014, there were 4 option orders totaling to 218 cars; 112 cars for general expansion, 20 cars for Section 2 of the D Line Extension, 12 for Section 3 Section 3 of the D Line Extension, and the remaining 74 to replace the second order of A650s (cars 531-604) with AC motors (to have been retired in 2030).[5] The base order was to be delivered from 2019 to 2021, with the options from 2021 to 2030. CRRC was chosen as the manufacturer in 2017.[7] At that point, they had expected a Spring 2020 first delivery with completion in 2021. To accommodate this order, yard expansion work started in 2019.[8] As of August 2023, it is scheduled for completion in 2026.[9]
The design was first unveiled in July 2021.[10][11]
As of May 2023, the first cars were scheduled to be delivered in early August.[12] On July 29, 2023, the first pair of cars (4005 and 4006) were delivered to Division 20, with the cars expected to enter revenue service sometime in 2024.[13][6]
Design
The exterior design shows full-color LED destination signs, compared to the green monochrome dot-matrix LED signs used with the A650s. Internally, it features more longitudinal seating than its predecessors[3] to increase capacity (although early renders depicted against such[4]), as well as open gangways between cars, which come in married pairs.[6]
References
- "CRRC Metro HR4000 for Los Angeles". Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- "HR4000 reference sheet". Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- Chen, Anna (November 25, 2019). "First look at new HR4000 subway rail cars". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- Sotero, Dave (April 12, 2017). "Metro, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation hold signing ceremony for $178-million subway car contract". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- Hymon, Steve (November 12, 2014). "Staff report on beginning process of acquiring new subway cars". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- "These are first pair of 64 new subway cars on order. Arrived Sat night after road-tripping from assembly plant in Springfield, Mass. Look for 'em on B/D Lines next year. Watch the reveal 👇". Facebook. Metro. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- Chen, Anna (March 23, 2017). "More subway cars for Red/Purple Lines in the works". The Source. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- "Division 20 Portal Widening & Turnback Facility Project". LA Metro. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- @numble (July 15, 2023). "July 2023 LA Metro construction summary (3 month period)" (Tweet). Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Twitter.
- "Chinese HR4000 metro cars for Los Angeles unveiled". Railway PRO. August 4, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- "CRRC unveils Los Angeles metro cars". Railway Gazette International. July 28, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- @numble (June 26, 2023). "May 2023 CPUC report says first pair of LA Metro's new subway cars from CRRC will be delivered by early August 2023 (prior report said May 2023)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "George Lumbreras updated the group cover photo". Facebook. George Lumbreras. July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.