CTA approves $92 million contract for 3200-series rail-car overhaul

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) board yesterday approved a $92 million contract for the materials needed to renovate all 257 of its 3200-series rail cars.

The contract represents the biggest component of the plan to overhaul the agency's second-oldest rail cars as part of the CTA's rail and bus fleet modernization launched in 2012. The 3200-series cars were purchased in 1992 and 1993.

The overhaul is designed to extend the life of the cars and improve their performance, efficiency and reliability by replacing or rebuilding many of their major components, including propulsion and power systems; doors and door motors; wheel trucks, axles and motors; and replacement of fluorescent lighting with LED lighting.

In 2013, the agency approved contracts for other components of the overhaul work, such as replacing heating and cooling units and auxiliary power supply units, as well as installing color LED destination signs.

In total, the agency will spend more than $166 million on the 3200-series overhaul, which will improve reliability and lower repair and maintenance costs for the cars that currently run on the Brown and Orange lines, CTA officials said in a press release.

All overhaul work will be performed in-house.