Red Line Mockup Debuts at Boston City Hall​

BOSTON, MA — No, there's no plan for the Red Line to extend tracks to above ground at Government Center, but there is a plan in the works to let commuters swing by and tour a mockup of one of the newest T cars at outside of City Hall, said T spokesman Joe Pesaturo.

“The new Red Line cars will provide increased capacity and upgraded technology, offering MBTA customers a more comfortable ride,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, who called the unveiling an important milestone in a statement. "We encourage members of the public to come to City Hall Plaza and tour the new cars.”

Just as last year folks had a chance to check out the mock up of the Orange Line and then a virtual tour of the new Green Line cars came this year; Tuesday through Thursday you can check out the fancy new Red Line cars slated to replace the current fleet of Red Line trains by 2023. But be warned: The mock-up is two-thirds the actual size of the new cars and is meant to "showcase" amenities and aesthetics to be included on the new cars.

“The MBTA is investing nearly $2 billion in the Red Line as part of the Red Line/Orange Line Improvement Program, which includes procuring these new Red Line vehicles," MassDOT Secretary Pollack said in a statement. "The upcoming new fleet for the Red Line, coupled with new and improved track, signals, and other core infrastructure upgrades translates to a better, more reliable service for MBTA customers.”

The China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. won a bid to build or replace around 252 Red Line cars and 152 new Orange Line cars, which are now being tested. The company built a plant in Springfield, where it is putting together the new subway cars.

Total value of the New Vehicle Procurement Program is nearly $1,010 million. The total value of the Red Line/Orange Line Improvement Program as a whole, which includes vehicle procurement, infrastructure improvements, signal upgrades, and state of good repair projects, is $1,982.03 million.

RELATED:

• It's Back: MBTA Looks At Blue, Red Line Connector Link, Again
• New Orange Line Train Testing Underway: Next Stop
• Green Line Cars To Get A Futuristic Redesign
• Orange Line Mockup Debuts at Boston City Hall
• New Green Line Cars To Hit The Tracks In September

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Photo credit: Courtesy MBTA