Breda Low-Floor cars

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ordered 100 of these "Type 8" cars for operation on it's system.  

General Information
Manufacturer: Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie
General Description: Low Floor Double Articulated
Cost per Car (US $) :  2,150,000
Date Ordered:  February 1995
Year Delivered:  1997
Date in service:  March 24, 1998
Voltage:  650 Volts DC
Number of Cars Ordered: 100 (with an option for an additional 25 cars)
Numbered Series: 3800-3899

Dimensions/Weight/Capacity 
Length over couplers: 74 feet
Length over body ends: 72 feet
Weight: 86,000 pounds
Width: 104 inches
Height: (rail to roof): 11 feet
Height: (rail to top of roof equipment-static):  11 feet, 10 inches
Height: (rail to top of roof equipment-dynamic):  11 feet,  11 1/2 inches
Floor height (rail to center floor between motor trucks): 14 inches
Floor height (rail to end floor over motor trucks):  35 inches
Pantograph operating range:  12-19'
Empty weight per car:  86,000 pounds
Interior headroom under A/C (minimum under car centerline):  6 feet, 8 inches
Interior headroom (articulated section):  6 feet, 8 inches
Interior headroom (minimum at car centerline):  6 feet, 10 inches
Interior width (minimum):   3' 1"
Doorway width (side door openings): 50 inches
Doorway width (end door openings):  42 inches
Doorway height:  6' 6"
Step height (1st step):  12" from top of rail

Performance 
Service acceleration on level tangent track: 2.8
Service Braking on level tangent track:  3.5 mphps
Emergency braking on level tangent track: 6.0 mphps
Maximum design speed:  55 MPH
Maximum operating speed: 55 MPH
Maximum grade:  9%
Minimum horizontal curve radius:  42 feet
Minimum vertical curve radius:

Body 
Manufacturer:  Breda
Body Material:  Corten Steel frame with Aluminum and Fiberglas side panels
Floor Material:  Rubber Sheet
Window type:  Sealed Low E Laminate Safety Glass
Doors:  Wabco/Vapor: 2 leaf Bifold, Electrically operated at 37.5 VDC
Windows:  14 total (7 per side)
Seats:   Stainless Steel shells with vinyl covered padded inserts
Walls and Ceiling:  Laminate Plastic Sheets

Propulsion/Trucks
Propulsion manufacturer:  Adtranz type 1507D (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) VAC 3-phase (140 HP, 415 VAC, 199 Amps, 1667 RPM)
Number of trucks/car:  3
Number of axles/truck: 2
Number of motors/car: 2
Wheel diameter (front and rear trucks):  New: 28"; Worn 24"
Wheel diameter (center truck):  New 28"; Worn 24"
Wheel base:  74.80"/ 83.98"
Track gauge:  4 feet, 8 1/2 inches Standard
Gear ratio: 6.647:1
Gearbox:  ABB-Daimler Benz, WR-441-1C Single Reduction, Parallel Type Helical Gear unit
Truck manufacturer:  Breda

Brakes/Suspension
Braking systems:  Friction (Disc); Dynamic; and Track
Service Brake manufacturer:  Wabco
Service Brake Type:  Hydraulic Friction Disc Brakes
Spin/slide protection:  Provided through Propulsion System Logic
Track Brake manufacturer:
Track Brakes (Number):  2 per motor truck (4 per car)

Vehicle Capacity
Number of seats: 46
Number of standees (Normal Loading):  108-120
Passenger capacity: 154-166 (w/standees)
Crush load: 200
Wheelchair capacity: 2 per car
Wheelchair Access: Motorized Bridgeplate for wheelchair access

Passenger Convenience Items
HVAC Manufacturer:  Stone Iberica
A/C type/capacity (Tons): 
Heating type/capacity (kW): 400 Watts at 230 Volts A/C
Seat Manufacturer:  American Seating
Seat Specs: Vinyl Covered Padding
Public Address System: Automated Audio and Visual PA Announcements
Interior Lighting:  Normal AC Fluorescent, Emergency DC Fluorescent
Number of Destination Signs:  6 Electronic LED
Door type: Electrically folding Doors
Number of doors/car: 6 (3 double width doors per side)

Electrical and Control Systems
Control:  Microprocessor Controlled Propulsion System
Low voltage power supply:   37.5 VDC
Motor Control:  Adtranz Propulsion System Logic
Amperage draw:  199 Amps

Car Specifications: Courtesy of Charlie Kenneally
Photo and background: Courtesy of Scott Moore.

Disclaimer - Information posted has been received in the form of a phone conversation, private e-mail, newsgroup posting, webpage posting, or printed periodical.   Lightrail.com and it's staff  does not guarantee the accuracy of the information, however does make efforts to insure sources are reliable.

Updated May 26, 2000