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Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unveiled a new full-scale mock-up of its next generation of  rail cars, the 7000 series.

The agency has purchased more than 400 of the rail cars from Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. under an $880 million contract. The investment makes it the largest-ever in WMATA's fleet, WMATA and federal officials said in a prepared statement.

"This is an important achievement on our path to improving safety, reliability and customer service," said WMATA Chairman Catherine Hudgins. "These new rail cars represent the next generation of a Metro [WMATA] that will continue to expand and grow with the region in the decades ahead."

The new fleet will feature safety enhancements and rider amenities such as stainless steel car body; closed circuit television cameras for added safety and security; LCD map displays to enable riders to track their location; LED screens that provide current and upcoming station information; improved seats and wider aisles that provide more room for riders; and more reliable door systems using proven technology, WMATA officials said.

Production of the new rail cars is expected to begin this winter in Lincoln, Neb.