Long Island Rail Road introduces eight new rail cars to fleet

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) announced that eight new rail cars entered into passenger service today.

The rail cars are the first of a complete fleet of 202 cars designed and manufactured by Kawasaki Rail Car. The 188 remaining cars are expected to begin passenger service in March 2021, LIRR officials said in a press release.

The new fleet of rail cars, known as “M9,” features an electronic display that will let passengers know which car within the train they are seated. This feature is meant to help customers exiting at stations where not every car will meet the platform.

The cars are equipped for positive train control and feature security cameras in the engineer’s cab and passenger area; additional speakers for clearer public announcements; electrical outlets in each row of seats; and six additional and wider seats than the older M7 rail cars.

The first 14 pilot cars were built in Japan, with the first eight tested in Pueblo, Colorado, before further testing on LIRR tracks. The remaining cars are being manufactured in Lincoln, Nebraska, with final assembly taking place in Yonkers, New York.