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Metrolink recently took delivery of two Crash Energy Management system-enabled passenger cars. Manufactured by Hyundai-Rotem in South Korea, the cars are the first of 117 CEM-enabled vehicles the agency plans to put into service later this year after testing is completed.

Metrolink will be the nation’s first commuter-rail system to adopt the state-of-the-art cars with collision-absorption technology, according to the agency. Most of the car assembly work will be performed at Metrolink’s maintenance facility in Colton, Calif., in accordance with the “Buy America” program, which requires final assembly of rolling stock to be completed in the United States, Metrolink officials said in a prepared statement.

"Performing the work there will also result in expedited training, quicker access to the cars, the extension of more than 50 jobs and the opportunity to start working on modifications to ready the cars for positive train control,” said Metrolink Chairman Keith Millhouse.

Procurement of the cars began more than five years ago, when Metrolink contacted the Volpe Institute and Federal Railroad Administration to incorporate collision absorption technology into cabs and passenger cars already on order.

Meanwhile, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) recently took delivery of three Silverliner V Regional Rail pilot cars manufactured by Hyundai-Rotem. The cars will undergo a series of tests for the next three months, including propulsion, braking, communications, cab signalization, climate control systems and ride quality. SEPTA plans to place some of the cars in revenue service by late summer.

In addition to the cars, which cost $2.1 million each, the agency took delivery of nine Silverliner V car shells, bringing the total number of shells on hand to 27. SEPTA has ordered 120 of the cars from Hyundai-Rotem to replace 74 Silverliner II and III cars, which are more than 40 years old.