WMATA 7000-Series quad set departs Greenbelt Metro station

The first quad set of Metro's new 7000-Series railcars departs Greenbelt station on Track 2 to return to Greenbelt Yard following its debut for the media. The train moved at very low speed both when arriving at the station at the beginning of the event, and when leaving after the event was over.

[@petep4peace]

Ben is the man when it comes to Metro knowledge!

[@ElyseHorvath]

It's really neat

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

Thats nice, you got the first set of 7000 series cars.

[@Mr_Prospector_]

Those brand new railcars look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

I got one at Ft. Totten yesterday.

[@bbrandon80740]

Sounds good Ben, I'm a bit skeptical but will have to see it's overall performance and appearances at the underground stations like you said. But the good thing is that the 7000 series do have some similarities to the older models from an exterior point of view and adding new technology, safety and comfort is what the DC/MD/VA commuters need. Not bad at all in my books.

[@r1k_b3k]

Idk yet but commuters like in riverdale maryland thats express amtrak Idk what idea but virgina i dont really know. CSX frieght in washington dc it can go to virgina and the CSX frieght train depot is near where i live.

[@RobertPaniagua]

These cars will just as good as TTC's Toronto Rockets! I expect a great ride on them!

[@KevinMeno2008]

New 7000s are here at WMATA! These are going on the Silver Line, Red Line, Green Line, Blue Line, Yellow Line, and Orange Line, the entire Metrorail system

[@SchuminWeb]

Correct. These will not be used on only one line or another. Like all the cars, they will be able to be used throughout the whole system. Based on past practice, I expect that they will first see revenue service on the Green Line.

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

What I heard is they will start service on April 14 on the Blue Line.

[@JohnSulu14]

These rail cars will be in passenger service pretty soon (like sometime this month).

[@joshuaraup9826]

Well, I can say that the 7000 series looks less comfortable from what I have seen of the inside. Which isn't a huge amount, as they had it lifted when I was down at greenbelt yard with the boys from Kawasaki out of Japan working on it. I can also say that I understand they have a somewhat different door system.

[@joshuaraup9826]

though that may been the team lead wishing for something.

[@Monisrocks1995]

nice

[@ryanstavely]

Thanks, Ben! Interesting that the cars are out of order: 7006, 7007, 7005, 7004.

[@SchuminWeb]

Going based on what I observed today, it would appear that the even-numbered cars are the "A" cars, and the odd-numbered cars are the "B" cars. Since they run in four-car sets, you will never have them in sequential order because an eight car train would be even-odd-odd-even-even-odd-odd-even.

[@r1k_b3k]

It dont have to be out of order its just train cars. It just like simular to NYCTA trains because they trains have out of order numbers at least we have trains in life except for some for trains for life :D but for like islands none D:

[@SchuminWeb]

What are you even trying to say? I can't make heads or tails out of what you just said.

[@r1k_b3k]

XD but im trying to say one of your comments on a video of the 7000 series

[@JohnSulu14]

the 2000-6000 series were only fleet expansion cars. Are those only fleet expansion cars?

[@PhillyFan20]

I expect these cars to be a tad bit noisier than the older cars due to the lack of carpeting. As far as a smoother ride, I expect that. The big reason for the jerky rides now is due to manual operation of trains and mixing and matching cars. Even though the existing cars are deisnged to operate together, there's still slight differences between them. Riding a solid consist of Alstom cars is very smooth, but that's rare.

[@bbrandon80740]

Also it's steel exterior may also make it nosier than the older cars which were aluminum but safety had to be taken into consideration. I think the 7k series runs on Toshiba motors so we won't know how the ride would feel and sound till its put into service. The cars aren't bad looking but not my favorite it reminds of the nyc cars which is also built by the same manufactuers

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

In fact, The Silver Line had just opened today.

[@SchuminWeb]

That it did! I was there for the grand opening, and rode the first revenue train from Wiehle all the way to Largo.

[@bbrandon80740]

Looks great! how about putting the metro logo on each car?

[@SchuminWeb]

I don't know if it's even necessary to put the logo on every car. The existing fleet has two logos on each car, but they're small. Now, the logo is large on the "A" cars. Seems sufficient, especially since, by the time you ever see a train, you've been past a street pylon, the kiosk, faregates, etc., so you're already well aware that it's Metro. Plus only having one logo per side on the "A" cars means less to maintain later.

[@JohnSulu14]

3000 views as of March 20, 2014.

[@bbrandon80740]

Ben, do you think the new 7000 series blends in with the traditional metro system? The new fleets looks great but reminds me of the NYC rolling stock thought 7000 series looks way nicer. I'm concern about the noise levels and the smooth rides you that you will usually get from the older models.

[@SchuminWeb]

They seemed to look all right at Greenbelt, but I'm going to withhold judgment on how well the 7000-Series cars harmonize with the system until I see them in service. Seeing them at the classic underground stations will give me a better sense of their aesthetic in the system.

[@joshuaraup9826]

***** Hey, when I was down there I was asking if these are paint or decals. Couple of the guys at the paintshop on the yard didn't actually know yet, but he thinks that the logos and graphics are all decal.

[@SchuminWeb]

Joshua Raup I would guess that all of the exterior graphics are all decal as well. I want to say that the logos on the current cars are also decal. Makes sense, because I'd think that would be far easier to repair than paint.

[@Awaysthere]

I like the old ones better ;c

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

Pickles horvath Because they are new.

[@josephowusu5490]

Drake!

[@jnyerere]

The sides look too much like the NYC Subway. Why can't we keep that authenticity that differentiates the DC Metro from the rest? This design is just....*sigh*