AnsaldoBreda P2550

American light rail vehicle

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The AnsaldoBreda P2550 is an articulated high-floor electric light rail vehicle manufactured by AnsaldoBreda for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Metro Rail system.[2] 50 vehicles were built between 2005 and 2011, with the first entering service in 2008.

Background

In 2001, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began seeking bids for a new order of light rail vehicles for the Gold Line.[3] Four companies submitted proposals; Bombardier, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens, and AnsaldoBreda. Siemens's proposal did not meet LACMTA requirements, and Bombardier declined to bid due to the terms of the contract.[3]

AnsaldoBreda's bid was lower than that of Kinki Sharyo, and as a result, on April 24, 2003, LACMTA awarded a contract to AnsaldoBreda for the production of 50 new light rail vehicles at a cost of $158 million, with options for a further 100 vehicles.[3][4] All trains were to be delivered by 2007.[5]

Construction

Bodyshells for the cars were built in Pistoia, Italy, with final assembly in Pittsburg, California.[6] The first vehicles were delivered to Metro in 2005[7] and were first tested on the Blue Line before becoming exclusive to the Gold Line. Trains first entered service in May 2008, significantly behind the contracted schedule.[8] By 2009, delivery of trains was around three years behind schedule, and Metro alleged that trains were at least 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) overweight.[9][10][11] AnsaldoBreda offered to supply Metro with 50 additional trains at a cost of $300 million, with an additional 2 trains as compensation for delivery delays.[10]

Metro decided not to exercise their options to purchase additional P2550 vehicles from AnsaldoBreda,[10][12] and ordered 235 Kinki Sharyo P3010 vehicles in 2012.[13] Following the difficulties of the P2550 procurement process, LACMTA revised its quality control procedures for new rolling stock, and began using best value procurement for future contracts.[14]

Service history

Kinki Sharyo is refurbishing the fleet at their Palmdale, California facility, beginning in 2023. Components to be upgraded include doors, safety systems, trucks, and climate control systems.[15][16]

From the beginning of Spring 2023, the P2550 became available to the A Line outside of the former L Line as a result of the completed rail construction and the opening of the Regional Connector.

See also

  • Nippon Sharyo P865
  • Siemens P2000
  • Kinki Sharyo P3010

References

  1. ^ "Dellner supports LA Metro P2550 LRV Modernization program with delivering couplers and services". Dellner. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles LRV P2550" (PDF). AnsaldoBreda. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  3. ^ a b c "April 2003 Board Meeting - Item 34" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. April 17, 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-02-02.
  4. ^ "Operations Committee: 2550 Rail Vehicle Program" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. January 15, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-06-10.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles MTA awards $159 million contract to Ansaldobreda for Metro Gold Line cars". Progressive Railroading. April 30, 2003. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  6. ^ Upton, Kim (December 19, 2011). "How do they do that? Ship rail cars to L.A." The Source. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  7. ^ "Metro Inspects New Italian-made 2550 Light Rail Vehicle". Metro.net. July 28, 2005. Archived from the original on 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  8. ^ "Quarterly Project Status Report 2550 Rail Vehicle Program" (PDF). metro.net. December 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Lonnie; Cannell, Mike (January 28, 2009). "Ansaldobreda P2550 Contract Vehicle Options" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  10. ^ a b c "Los Angeles Metro deal falls through". Railway Gazette International. November 5, 2009. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  11. ^ Janofsky, Michael (February 12, 2009). "From Transit Dispute, a Broader Battle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  12. ^ "January 6, 2010 - Agenda - Technical Advisory Committee" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. January 6, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-04-21. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  13. ^ "Los Angeles to order up to 235 light rail vehicles". Railway Gazette. May 1, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  14. ^ Blake, Tagan; Isaac, Lauren; Rose, David (September 2013). Managing Railcar Maintenance: A Primer on Practices and Improvement Opportunities for the U.S. Transit Industry (PDF) (Report). Federal Transit Administration. pp. 172–173.
  15. ^ Luczak, Marybeth (April 9, 2021). "LA Metro Approves LRV Overhaul Contract". Railway Age. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  16. ^ "2020-0055 - P2550 LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE (LRV) MIDLIFE MODERNIZATION/OVERHAUL PROGRAM, RAIL VEHICLE CONTRACTOR". Metro Board. Archived from the original on 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2022-11-15.