BART Rolling Stock Explained

[@bronxsportsfan]

The most important aspect of BART is that the system survived the San Francisco Loma Prieto Earthquake. While the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose (now part of the network but wasn't in 1989) were significantly affected by the 6.9 earthquake, BART was shut down only for a few hours to inspect the tunnels and its infrastructure. The next day (October 18, 1989), the system was back up and running and briefly running 24 hours a day (for a couple of months). Although I've never been to the Bay Area, so I cannot judge the subway system, I can say that the aftermath of that disastrous (nearly a catastrophic) earthquake was easily BART's finest hour and, in my honest opinion, made BART a world-class rail network.

[@poultrypants]

although quite impressive, I definitely don’t think “the most important aspect” of Bart is that it survived an earthquake

[@transitcaptain]

BART is an interesting system. Under my own train classifications it is a short distance commuter rail that acts like a subway in the downtown. It’s designed for longer rides and it’s a park-and-ride system. Because of this Trains run every 30 minutes

[@CaseysTrains]

Honestly, Ben, that a great way to describe it. Reminds me a lot of SEPTA Regional Rail or Crossrail in London which operate like rapid transit in their city centers.

[@transitcaptain]

@@CaseysTrains I think you would like my levels of trains.. BART can also be an interurban

[@Fang28]

I ride BART daily, and have been riding for over 20 years. It actually runs far more frequently during peak hours. They're currently upgrading signaling and power delivery through the San Francisco and Daly city portions of bart to enable 2-minute headways. Currently, trains run through the core every 3-4 minutes during peak service. That said, areas with only a single train line typically run 15 minute headways even during peak hours. Perhaps this will be 10 minutes after the core signaling and power upgrades are completed. Service outside peak hours is disappointing though, with many lines running only every 30 minutes, and two lines not running at all when it gets late or on Sundays. (You can still reach all stations, but may have to make a transfer that you wouldn't need to most days) Weekend BART service is very disappointing. I just wanted to point out that there are at least some time during the day in some locations where it is very frequent! There are 4 different lines that can take me to work and so I typically only wait a couple minutes! Also not mentioned in the video is how loud the trains are. Due to the wheel profile, when these trains hit a curve it's ear-splitting. It averages 85 decibels in the tunnel but peaks at 113 around turns underground. It physically hurts and is genuinely unsafe for people with preexisting hearing damage. The new trains have better-sealed doors and are much quieter, thankfully. On the other hand, the wheel profile makes bart train rides extremely smooth, even when running at 60+mph. Also unmentioned, the trains runs on India broad gauge tracks. The seats are extremely comfortable, with a good few inches of padding, at least on the old ones. The new trains are still well-padded, but the old ones felt almost like a sofa. The seats used to have a permeable fabric cover, but it was replaced with an impermeable material some years ago, much like the carpet. Also unusual for NA is you can travel between train cars, although you have to open heavy sliding doors to do so. The trains are also huge. They're currently running full 10-car trains on most lines at increased frequency even though there isn't enough demand in order to help people maintain better social distancing. There was also a plan to test platform screen doors at some stations, but it was shelved for reinvestigation following the train fleet replacement.

[@AshmewStudios]

It’s sort of like the S-Bahn, RER, Montréal REM, and Crossrail/Elizabeth Line

[@gdrriley420]

trains run way more often then that most times of the day 15 min headways are standard with upgrades under construction to increase that to sub 10 mins. the system is also heavily interline so almost all stations get a train every 8 mins now which will drop to 5.

[@BlueMouse08]

One interesting feature that BART have that I don't see people talking about is that all of it's fleet have gangways that you can walk through, it's not fully "open gangway" though because there is a door that you need to push through similar to a commuter train.

[@CaseysTrains]

Id love to see more Rolling Stock Explained Videos. If you ever wanna tap into the crazy world of Philadelphia's odd ass rolling stock, let me know.

[@MysticTransit]

I'll definitely consider it in the future!

[@qjtvaddict]

Philadelphia needs a full replacement lol they can tie fox chase into the broad street line and get new rolling stock that uses catenary and 3rd rail

[@alexharris2495]

Had no idea that BART still ran thier original fleet. Would love to get to ride one sometime. It would be also good if a transit got a hold of a couple of those trainsets. Also, BART learned the same lesson the MTA did with BOMBARDIER...... good for traction motors, bad for an entire train car.

[@hentisenti]

They are still around. It's actually taking forever to get them replaced with New Trains. It's always a gamble whether you will ride a new or old BART

[@Kitty8791]

They just retired the last Legacy train this past September 2023; fully switched over to the new "fleet of the future" cars. Some are being kept for use (during repairs or need for extra capacity), but most are being recycled. The exception being 8 proposals (of 20) that were accepted for repurposing of some of the old cars (you can Google to find some articles about it).

[@chf_photoofficial]

Interesting video! I have been really curious about the BART fleet for a while.

[@EpicThe112]

BART A series are the same age as a MTA R42 R38 1968-1972. These are 75ft in length like a 1974-1977 R46 and 1986-1989 R68 R68A. Stadler GTW Front E-BART resembles a SBB CFF FFS RABE 523 from Luzern Sursee Route. NJ Transit also has Stadler GTW

[@jeremiahtaylor1817]

Great video my guy

[@MysticTransit]

Thanks

[@jsn683]

I have a concept for a similar transit system to BART for the state of Rhode Island, which would use rolling stock similar to BART, PATCO and WMATA.

[@evanstonbalce9588]

BART trains run on “Broad” or “Indian” gauge tracks unlike other rapid transit systems in the US

[@ajawalker2290]

Hey there buddy! Glad to see you again. You're still hanging in there I hope!

[@MysticTransit]

Always!

[@ajawalker2290]

@@MysticTransit Sweet! 😊😇😉☺😚😙👍

[@williamerazo3921]

Bombadaier was brought off by Alstom so they have the contract

[@TohaBgood2]

And may the Gods of French rail excellence have mercy on our mortal rail rider souls! I hope that they can make Bombardier at least a little bit less dysfunctional! Bombardier keeps winning bids by bidding low. But more often than not they are either late or over budget, or both! I'm not even going to mention some of the insane reliability problems that their rolling stock tends to have.

[@timothytao898]

Bombardier cars? Delayed? Never. Just ask the TTC about the streetcar fleet.

[@TohaBgood2]

Shhhhh! We're pretending that the Canadians are actually French. And the French build good trains, right? 😁

[@timothytao898]

@@TohaBgood2 Only if they're not on strike

[@TohaBgood2]

@@timothytao898 The French? Nevér! (just pretend I said that with a goofy fake French accent) 😁

[@dengpoop]

and ask V/Line about the Vlocity fleet.

[@Xpninjadan]

This is an interesting video. Thank you for uploading it.

[@MysticTransit]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Xpninjadan]

@@MysticTransit It's fun to learn about different types of trains.

[@LIRRFAN426]

You know the older cars like the As and Bs kinda sound like high pitched R142A/R143/R188s.

[@R262SubwayCar1]

All the Fleet of the Future cars are in service

[@gdrriley420]

interesting to not focus on the broad gauge, 1000V DC, almost automated system and bart is planning on 1200 cars.

[@MysticTransit]

Those are things to mention in a future video.

[@TohaBgood2]

@@MysticTransit Well, looking forward to watching that then!

[@xlr0gd205]

I'm curious how are the carriage length and door width on Fleet of the Future?

[@anuchakongthavorn6884]

Thank you for your video.

[@reactortechroblox]

it's crazy how long the Rohr and Alstom trains lasted

[@williamm.horowitz5813]

GREAT VIDEO

[@Bus285Productions-l1x]

Mystic transit can you make a video of the Washington DC metro rolling stock?

[@joenichols590]

well now its Alstom as they purchased Bombardier's rail systems division

[@mescalita8]

Cool

[@jsn683]

Stadler GTWs could work well on the Interborough Express route

[@chromebomb]

I love BART

[@sebastianaguinaldo2243]

The cars look like the earthquake the big one train cars

[@MagicalBread]

You’ve just found the inspiration for the ride!

[@AeroRailFan]

My sis rides on Bart she in California

[@Nathn1234]

I have a Bart and airplane 1:28

[@nysubwaydude5634]

I also like the longer 70s and 80s subway cars too

[@jackmercer4244]

control b people

[@Boomtendo4tw]

Bay area gone downhill since 68

[@RobertKriletich]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_Area_Rapid_Transit_rolling_stock