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Siemens P2000

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Siemens P2000
In service2001–present
ManufacturerSiemens Mobility
Constructed1996–1999
Entered service2001–2003
RefurbishedAlstom
2019—2024
Number built52
FormationSingle unit
Fleet numbers201–250, 301–302
Capacity100 (76 seats)
Operators
DepotsDivision 11 (Long Beach)
Division 24 (Monrovia)
Lines servedA Line
Specifications
Car body constructionLAHT
Train length268 ft 8 in (81.9 m) (three cars)
Car length89 ft 7 in (27.3 m)
Width8 ft 8 in (2.65 m)
Height12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) (without pantograph)
Floor height3 ft 2.4 in (975 mm)
Doors8 (4 per side)
Articulated sections2 (one articulation)
Wheelbase6 ft 11 in (2.1 m)
Maximum speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Weight98,000 lb (44 t)
Traction system
Traction motors4 × 185 hp (138 kW)
Power output740 hp (552 kW)
Acceleration3 mph/s (4.4 ft/s2; 1.3 m/s2)
Deceleration3.5 mph/s (5.1 ft/s2; 1.6 m/s2)
Electric system(s)750 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Brecknell Willis & Faiveley pantographs
UIC classificationBo′+2′+Bo′
AAR wheel arrangementB-2-B
Safety system(s)ATC, Emergency brakes, ATP, ATO
Coupling systemTomlinson
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Notes/references
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The P2000 is an articulated light rail vehicle used on the Los Angeles Metro Rail system, manufactured by Siemens-Duewag. The P2000 trains were ordered to supplement the fleet of the C Line, then known as the Green Line. P2000 trains originally serviced the Gold Line, but were later transferred to the Blue Line (now A Line) in 2012.

P2000 trains continue to operate on the A Line as of 2024, and are expected to operate for an additional 15 years following an overhaul program that began in 2020.[3]

Background

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In July 1992, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission issued a request for proposals for light rail vehicles for use on the then-under construction Green Line.[4] Four bids were received – Bombardier Transportation, Morrison–Knudsen, Siemens-Duewag and Sumitomo/Nippon Sharyo.[4] In June 1993, a contract was awarded to Siemens-Duewag to deliver 72 light rail vehicles at a cost of $2.7 million per vehicle.[4] The contract was signed in February 1994.[5]

Construction

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Siemens-Duewag opened a manufacturing facility in Carson, operated in partnership with AAI Corporation, to build the car shells. The car shells, the key structural components of the train, were the first to be manufactured in the United States for 50 years.[6] Final assembly was performed in Sacramento.[7]

Following cost cutting in 1995, 20 trains were cut from the contract.[5] 52 trains were eventually built between 1996 and 1999.[8]

Service history

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The first train was delivered to Metro in January 1998, and trains entered service on the Green Line in July 2000.[8] Introduction into service was delayed slightly, drawing criticism from the news media that highlighted the P2000 contract's high cost and Metro's contemporary fiscal issues.[7] The trains were subsequently used on the Green (C), Blue (A) and Expo (E) lines.

The P2000 was used on the Gold Line (L) between 2003 and 2012 and the A and E lines thereafter. It returned in revenue service on the L Line in 2023 shortly before the Regional Connector began revenue service and the L Line was discontinued. It had since been exclusive to the C Line, until its rocky return to the A Line in late 2024. Ever since its rocky return, P2000s were removed from the C Line altogether.

In June 2013, Metro awarded a fixed price contract to PAMCO Machine Works in Monrovia, California, to overhaul the powered axle assemblies for the then thirteen year old P2000 trains.[9][10]

The entire fleet was refurbished by Alstom, on Mare Island in Vallejo, California.[3] The overhaul program includes major mechanical work, new graphics, and maintenance of control systems.[11] Metro received the first refurbished P2000 train in October 2020, and expected to receive one train per month until all 52 trains were overhauled.[12]

Retirement

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In 2024, Metro began work to replace the P2000 trains, which are scheduled to be retired in the early 2030s.[13]

Technical specifications

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The P2000 trains feature automatic train control, air conditioning, emergency intercoms, wheelchair spaces and emergency braking. Refurbished cars feature new door control systems, communication systems, and HVAC technology.[3]

The P2000 trains are capable of multiple-unit operation with some other light rail vehicles in service on the Metro Rail system, including the P3010 and the now-retired Nippon Sharyo P865.[6]

P2000 light rail vehicles are equipped with automatic train operation technology.[6] This technology was intended to be used on the Green Line (later the C Line), enabled by the line's lack of grade crossings. Despite this capability, the trains are manually operated.[14][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RCC board recommendation: Vehicle Acquisition Project - Contract No. P2000 - Los Angeles Standard Light Rail Vehicle - Recommendation for Award" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles P2000 Light Rail Vehicle" (PDF). Siemens Mobility. Siemens AG. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  3. ^ a b c Luczak, Marybeth (October 9, 2020). "LA Metro: First Overhauled P2000 Delivered". Railway Age. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  4. ^ a b c "RCC board recommendation: Vehicle Acquisition Project - Contract No. P2000 - Los Angeles Standard Light Rail Vehicle - Recommendation for Award" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  5. ^ a b "Vehicles Acquisition Project Contract no. P2000 Los Angeles Standard Light Rail Vehicle Current Contract Status" (PDF). boardarchives.metro.net. February 11, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  6. ^ a b c Slater, Eric (August 13, 1996). "Setting a New Standard for Light-Rail Cars". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. ProQuest 2044396953. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  7. ^ a b Simon, Richard (July 5, 1997). "MTA Gets Surplus Subway Cars". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. ProQuest 2109529993.
  8. ^ a b "2016-0807 - P2000 LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE (LRV) OVERHAUL PROGRAM, RAIL VEHICLE CONTRACTOR - Metro Board". boardagendas.metro.net. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  9. ^ "P2000 Light Rail Vehicle Powered Axle Assembly Overhaul" (PDF). media.metro.net. LACMTA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  10. ^ "Siemens P2000 Light Rail Vehicle – Technical Information" (PDF). Siemens Transportation Systems. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-09.
  11. ^ Ku, Bih-Yuan (March 2021). "March 2021 Land Transportation News". IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine. 16 (1): 14–18. doi:10.1109/MVT.2020.3042110. ISSN 1556-6072.
  12. ^ Chen, Anna (October 6, 2020). "Metro receives first modernized P2000 light rail vehicle". The Source. Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  13. ^ "Metro - File #: 2020-0056 Consultant Technical and Program Management Support Services For The P3030 New Light Rail Vehicle Procurement". boardagenas.metro.net. April 25, 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  14. ^ Hymon, Steve (August 12, 2020). "The Green Line is 25 years old; some thoughts on that". The Source. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  15. ^ Willman, David (January 11, 1993). "Vision of Automated Green Line Fading". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
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