AnsaldoBreda P2550

AnsaldoBreda P2550
AnsaldoBreda P2550 train at Union Station
In service	2008–present
Manufacturer	AnsaldoBreda
Constructed	2005–2011
Entered service	2008–2011
Refurbished	Kinki Sharyo 2023–present
Number built	50
Number in service	47
Fleet numbers	701-750
Capacity	76 (seated) 141 (standing)
Operators
Depots	Division 11 (Long Beach) Division 24 (Monrovia)
Lines served
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	90 ft 0 in (27.43 m)
Width	8 ft 8.8 in (2,661 mm)
Height	12 ft 3.0 in (3,734 mm)
Floor height	39 in (990 mm)
Entry	Level
Doors	8 (4 per side)
Articulated sections	2 (one articulation)
Maximum speed	75 mph (120 km/h)
Traction system	Unknown IGBT–VVVF (original) AmePower (refurbished)
Traction motors	4 × 194 hp (145 kW)
Power output	780 hp (580 kW)
Electric system(s)	Overhead line, 750 V DC
Current collector(s)	Faiveley pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′+2′+Bo′
AAR wheel arrangement	B-2-B
Safety system(s)	ATP
Coupling system	Tomlinson/Dellner[1]
Track gauge	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 with Car 721. 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 original A Line (Los Angeles—Long Beach) outside of the former L Line as a result of the completed rail construction and later 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. "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. Archived from the original on 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
6. Upton, Kim (December 19, 2011). "How do they do that? Ship rail cars to L.A." The Source. Archived from the original on 2024-02-24. 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. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
10. "Los Angeles Metro deal falls through". Railway Gazette International. November 5, 2009. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
11. Janofsky, Michael (February 12, 2009). "From Transit Dispute, a Broader Battle". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-08-24. 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.