Breda A650
| Industry | Rail vehicle manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Pistoia , Italy |
| Products | A650 electric multiple unit rapid transit vehicles |
The A650 represents an electric multiple unit rapid transit vehicle designed for use within the Los Angeles Metro Rail network. Produced by the Italian manufacturer Breda at their facility in Pistoia between 1988 and 1997, these units operate on the Metro's B and D Lines.
Details
In June 1988, the Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD) commissioned the Italian firm Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie to construct 30 railcars for the Red Line under a $54 million contract, with options to procure additional units. These vehicles were built to align with the design criteria of the Budd Universal Transit Vehicle deployed in mid-1980s systems such as those in Baltimore and Miami.
The first set of 30 cars was manufactured in Pistoia, Italy from 1988 through 1993, equipped with chopper control and DC traction motors initially developed by Garrett AiResearch in Torrance, California, later produced by ABB Traction. These units entered operational service coinciding with the Red Line's inauguration in 1993.
To facilitate further expansion of the Red Line, Los Angeles Metro placed orders for an additional 42 cars in 1994 and 32 more in 1996. These were assembled between 1995 and 1997 at the Pistoia plant, with deliveries commencing in Los Angeles by September 1996. Unlike their predecessors, this later series incorporated lighter and more efficient AC traction motors—specifically, three-phase AC four-pole asynchronous motors—controlled via VVVF inverters utilizing GTO thyristor technology supplied by General Electric. Additionally, these trains were outfitted with flashing door lights indicating imminent closure.
Priced at approximately $1.8 million per car, the A650 trains generally operate in sets ranging from four to six cars. Features include automatic train control systems, climate control, emergency communication devices, designated wheelchair areas, and emergency braking capabilities. Although there were initial plans to retrofit the DC motor-equipped vehicles with AC motors to achieve operational uniformity, this conversion was never implemented; consequently, the two variants seldom run concurrently.
Maintenance for this fleet is conducted at Division 20 yard located near Los Angeles Union Station, situated on Santa Fe Drive adjacent to the Los Angeles River within Downtown Los Angeles.
Refurbishment
In 2016, Metro engaged Talgo under a $73 million contract to refurbish the newer subset of 74 trains due to their intensive usage. However, after commencing work on 14 units, the agreement was terminated in 2022 citing "non-performance," which resulted in reciprocal breach of contract litigation between Talgo and Metro.
Subsequently, in 2024, a $213 million contract was awarded to Woojin Industrial Systems to renovate the same group of 74 trains. This overhaul aims for completion ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Meanwhile, older units will be phased out upon introduction of the new CRRC HR4000 models.
Replacement
By 2014, Metro decided against refurbishing the original Breda A650 trains and opted for replacement instead. In 2017, an order was placed for 64 CRRC HR4000 cars intended to supplant the first batch of A650s beginning in 2024. The second batch is scheduled for replacement by Hyundai Rotem HR5000 trains ordered in 2024, which will also accommodate fleet growth and support Purple Line extensions.
Named trains
Two units have been designated with specific names:
- #501 – Honoring Richard Gallagher, who served as SCRTD Director of Rapid Transit Planning during the 1980s
- #502 – Named after Thomas G. Neusom, who was President of the SCRTD Board of Directors from 1980 to 1982
In popular culture
Operating out of Los Angeles, the A650 subway cars are frequently featured in various commercials, television programs, and movies.
One prominent example is the Breda A650's depiction in the 1997 movie Volcano, where it is shown engulfed in flames within the tunnel connecting MacArthur Park and Metro Center, as a lava flow traps both passengers and crew. The train also appears in the 1994 film Speed, where an emergency brake incident leads to a derailment.
The band Incubus shot segments of their 1996 music video "Take Me to Your Leader" aboard the A650, featuring lead vocalist Brandon Boyd humorously acting as a caveman riding the subway.
Additionally, the train is seen in S.W.A.T. (2003) and is depicted tumbling down a mountainside during disaster scenes in the film 2012.
See also
- Los Angeles Metro Rail rolling stock
- Budd Universal Transit Vehicle – comparable model utilized by Baltimore Metro SubwayLink and previously by Metrorail