Houston transit agency tests new CAF light-rail car

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, (METRO) recently marked a milestone when its first CAF U.S.A. rail car successfully completed a regular-service light-rail test.

CAF is under contract with METRO to deliver 39 new trains as part of a plan to expand the city's light-rail service. Before a light-rail vehicle can be placed into service for public use, it's required to simulate regular service to test safety and functionality.

"This is a great step forward in the expansion of our light-rail program, and we look forward to working with CAF as the remaining vehicles are received, accepted by METRO and are ready for revenue service," said METRO President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Lambert in a press release.

Because the tested train is the first CAF rail-car series on order, it's required to endure more miles of testing. The remaining light-rail vehicles will need to complete 1,000 miles of "burn-in" testing per vehicle, METRO officials said.

To date, 12 CAF light-rail vehicles have been delivered to Houston. CAF U.S.A. is a subsidiary of Spain's Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles.