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M7 (railcar)

From Alfawiki
Bombardier Transportation
IndustryRail vehicle manufacturing
Headquarters
La Pocatière, Quebec and Plattsburgh, New York
,
Canada and United States
ProductsM7 electric multiple unit railcars

{{Infobox train | background = indigo | name = M7 | image = File:Plandome Station, Plandome, NY November 23, 2023 M.jpg | caption = LIRR M7 #7824 arriving at Plandome | interiorimage = Metro North, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 6 April 2011 - Flickr - PhillipC.jpg | interiorcaption = Metro-North M7A halted at Dobbs Ferry station | service = | manufacturer = Bombardier Transportation | factory = La Pocatière, Quebec, Canada + Plattsburgh, New York, US | replaced = Remaining M1s and ACMUs | yearconstruction = 1999–2006 | numberbuilt = | numberservice = | numberscrapped = | formation = Married pairs | fleetnumbers = | capacity = | operator = MTA (LIRR and MNCR) | carbody = Stainless steel | carlength = | width = [1] | height = | floorheight = | wheeldiameter = | wheelbase = | maxspeed = | weight = | traction = Mitsubishi Electric MAP-204-A25VD103 IGBT–VVVF[2][3] |} The M7 electric multiple unit was manufactured by Bombardier Transportation specifically for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s commuter rail services on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad. Introduced beginning in 2002, this series replaced the remaining M1 railcars along with the ACMU fleet on these networks. The Metro-North variant, known as the M7A, incorporates subtle modifications distinct from the LIRR’s M7. In total, 1,172 units were constructed for both systems combined.

Description

These railcars are configured to operate in pairs known as married pairs, each equipped with control stations suitable for an engineer, conductor, or brakeman. The 'B' cars—identified by odd numbers—contain a larger restroom facility designed to be accessible for passengers using wheelchairs and accommodating service animals. This feature results in a reduction of seating capacity compared to earlier models such as the M1 and M3 cars.

Two closely related models—the M7 and M7A—were developed to meet the differing electrical and signaling requirements of the LIRR and Metro-North systems. Visually, the most noticeable difference is that the M7 sports a predominantly black front end with a single yellow stripe running horizontally, whereas the M7A features a blue front end adorned with several white stripes. Additional minor distinctions include illuminated number boards present on the M7 but absent on the M7A. Functionally, the M7 is designed for LIRR’s over-running third rail system, while the M7A is compatible with Metro-North’s under-running third rail configuration; this difference renders them incompatible for interchange between the two railroads.

Procurement

At the end of 1999, Bombardier was awarded a contract to produce 836 M7 railcars for the Long Island Rail Road. Deliveries began in early 2002, with initial trials conducted on the Ronkonkoma Branch. The M7 units entered revenue service on October 30, 2002, starting with the Long Beach Branch, while Metro-North introduced the M7A variant in April 2004. The entire order was fulfilled by early 2007.

Early troubleshooting

The first M7 cars experienced noticeable lateral sway, which led to subsequent design adjustments. By late 2006, the MTA replaced all armrests after receiving over $100,000 worth of complaints related to clothing damage caused by the original armrest construction; the replacements incorporated a redesigned shape and a rubber coating that was gentler on fabrics. Additionally, some riders observed a decrease in seating capacity within B cars due to larger restrooms meeting ADA standards and narrower seats. This passenger feedback contributed to design improvements incorporated into the M8 railcars serving the New Haven Line.

During the fall of 2006, Metro-North’s M7A fleet encountered braking difficulties caused by leaf accumulation creating slippery rail conditions known as "Slip-Slide." This issue led to nearly two-thirds of the fleet being sidelined due to wheel flat spots. In contrast, the LIRR fleet experienced fewer problems; older M1 cars were reactivated without their original equipment, and reduced service schedules were implemented until full operations resumed.

By 2007, the M7 fleet achieved the best mean distance between failures within LIRR’s rolling stock, partly attributed to ongoing reliability testing associated with their relatively recent introduction.

Later history

The Metro-North M7A trains were featured in the 2016 motion picture The Girl on the Train.

On April 19, 2021, LIRR announced plans to test battery power on two pairs of M7 cars to allow operation in diesel-only territories, pending successful feasibility evaluations.

Accidents and incidents

  • On February 3, 2015, an M7A train operating on Metro-North's Harlem Line collided with a vehicle stopped on the tracks in Valhalla, New York, resulting in seven deaths and at least fifteen injuries. Car number 4333 was destroyed by fire.
  • On October 8, 2016, an M7 train on the Long Island Rail Road's Port Jefferson Branch sideswiped a maintenance train near New Hyde Park station, causing severe damage to cars 7033, 7034, and 7044; these cars were ultimately scrapped. Car 7043 was subsequently paired with car 7554.
  • On January 4, 2017, an M7 train on LIRR's Atlantic Branch overran a bumper at track 6 of Atlantic Terminal, injuring over one hundred passengers. Car 7553 sustained heavy damage and was scrapped; its mate car, 7554, was coupled with car 7043.
  • On July 21, 2018, an M7 train stored at LIRR's West Side Yard derailed; cars 7019 and 7364 were damaged beyond repair and scrapped.
  • On February 26, 2019, an M7 train traveling on LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch struck a truck at a grade crossing near Westbury station, causing derailment of the lead car. Car 7425 was severely damaged and scrapped. The truck’s occupants died in the collision; no fatalities occurred among train passengers. Following this incident, car 7426 was mated with car 7279.
  • Car number 7054 suffered front-end fire damage and was scrapped in 2023.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ↑ Mitsubishi Electric 'Connect' Newsletter, Summer 2006
  3. ↑ 25 kV AC ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRIC MULTIPLE UNITS PASSENGER RAIL CARS Page 21-25
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