Washington Metro rolling stock

The rolling stock of the Washington Metro system consists of 1,242 75-foot (22.86 m) cars, delivered in seven shipments. All rail cars in the 1000- through 6000-series in the Metrorail system operate as married pairs (consecutively numbered even-odd), with systems shared across the pair. The newer, 7000-series cars have only one cab on one end of each married pair and typically operate in coupled groups of four cars.

The track gauge is 4 ft 8¼ in (1,429 mm), a near 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) narrower than the universal 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm). Rolling stock floor height is 40 inches (1,016 mm) above top of rail (ATR) for level entry; platform height at stations match this. The Washington Metro’s floors and platforms are lower than those of most other East Coast mass transit systems, such as in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia.

Summary

Series	Manufacturer	Number Purchased	Entered Service	Retired (estimated)	Currently Active	Replaced by
1000	Rohr	300	1976	2016 – 2017	0 (retired)	7000 series
2000	Breda	76	1982	2023	76	8000 series
3000	Breda	290	1987	2023	288 (2 cars wrecked)	8000 series
4000	Breda	100	1991	2017	0 (retired)	7000 series
5000	CAF / AAI	194	2001	2019 –	192 (2 cars wrecked)	7000 series
6000	Alstom	184	2005		184
7000	Kawasaki	748	2015		344 (phasing in)
8000	(not selected)	366 (expected)	2023 (expected)

1000-series

Washington Metro 1000 series
Train of Rohr cars arrives at Cheverly station.
Interior of Rohr 1112
Manufacturer	Rohr Industries
Order no.	300
Built at	Winder, Georgia
Constructed	1974–1978
Entered service	1976
Refurbished	1993–1996 by WMATA Brentwood Shop/Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie
Scrapped	2016–2017
Number built	300
Number in service	Retired (Cars 8000–8003 remain in revenue collection service)
Number preserved	2, with 10+ in emergency training facilities
Fleet numbers	1000–1299
Capacity	Seating: 82 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Traction motors	Four General Electric "5GEB" 3 Phase, 4 pole, Asynchronous AC Traction Drives with GTO Inverters (post rehab)
Power output	186.5 kilowatts (250.1 horsepower) per motor 746 kilowatts (1,000 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Cast Steel
Braking system(s)	ABEX Hydraulics
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄4 in (1,429 mm)

The original order of 300 Metro cars was manufactured by Rohr Industries, with delivery in 1976. These cars are numbered 1000–1299, and were rehabilitated in the mid-1990s by Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie (later AnsaldoBreda, and now Hitachi Rail Italy) and WMATA at their Brentwood Shop in northeast Washington, D.C.

There are two major characteristics that distinguish the 1000-series from the later series cars. On their sides, the cars had two mylar curtain rollsigns, one above a window next to the doors on each end (while the other car classes have a single flip-dot or LED sign above a window next to the center doors). Second, the bulkheads on each end of the 1000-series cars feature windows that extend to the top of the bulkhead frame, whereas other car classes' bulkhead windows only extend slightly higher than the side windows. A rehabilitation of the cars in 1993 converted one rollsign on each side into an exterior loudspeaker, while the other rollsign, as well as the bulkhead signs, were converted to flip-dot displays, replacing the original rollsigns entirely. The cars also received General Electric AC propulsion (same as that of the AnsaldoBreda A650 railcar used on LA Metro), replacing the original Westinghouse cam control DC propulsion systems, making them the first cars on the system to use such propulsion systems.

The original interiors had a white grained appearance with 82 orange and brown seats. Future orders would have seating reduced down to 64 or 68, as seats next to the doors would be removed for additional standing areas.

As of August 2008, Metrorail was testing new overhead handles of different styles on 1122, 1123, 1126, 1127, as well as some 3000-series cars to gauge public opinion.

Following the June 22, 2009 collision, Metro implemented a policy of no longer placing 1000-series railcar pairs at the ends of trains in order to prevent telescoping in a collision, as they are the weakest rolling stock structurally. The new policy places 1000-series cars in the center of six and eight-car trains, with rail cars of other series in the end positions.

These cars, and the 4000 series, have been retired by the 7000 series, starting in 2016. In July 2015 Metro released a request for proposals seeking a contractor to pick-up and dispose of Metro's entire remaining fleet of 1000-series railcars.

Four cars, formerly numbered 1010–1011 and 1044–1045, were renumbered to 8000–8003 and serve as the money train to collect the revenue from station fare card machines. Car 1076 was taken out of service after its mate was destroyed in the 2004 accident at Woodley Park station. Car 1028, separated from its mate after it was destroyed during the Federal Triangle derailment in 1982, became the feeler car (a car that checks system clearances) and was retired in April 2016. 1079 was the lead car on the second train involved in the June 22, 2009 Washington Metro train collision. Metro announced on June 7, 2017 that the 1000 series cars will be fully retired and removed from service on July 1, 2017, after running for 41 years. By June 24, all 1000 series and 4000 series cars had been retired.

On January 23, 2014 cars 1090–1091 were spotted at the Asymmetric Warfare Training Center at Fort AP Hill. Eight cars were taken to the Guardian Centers facility in Georgia. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department was to acquire two cars, but instead acquired a pair of 4000 series cars.

Cars 1000 and 1001 will be refurbished and preserved for historical purposes.

2000-series

Washington Metro 2000 series
A train of 2000-series Breda cars at Huntington following rehabilitation.
Interior of Breda 2075 following rehabilitation.
Manufacturer	Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie (now Hitachi Rail Italy)
Order no.	76
Built at	Pistoia, Italy
Constructed	1983-1984
Refurbished	2002–2004 by Alstom Transportation
Number built	76
Number in service	76
Fleet numbers	2000–2075
Capacity	Seating: 68 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Traction system	Four Alstom ONIX 2000 AC Traction Drives with IGBT Inverters (post rehab)
Power output	165 kilowatts (221 horsepower) per motor 600 kilowatts (800 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Fabricated Steel

The second order, of 76 cars, was through Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie (now Hitachi Rail Italy), with delivery in 1982.

These cars are numbered 2000–2075, and were rehabilitated in 2003 and 2004 by Alstom in Hornell, New York. The cars, as part of a rehabilitation project, have received new AC propulsion systems with IGBT technology, replacing the original cam-controlled DC propulsion systems. Also included were railcar monitoring systems, advanced ATC/ATS control systems, exterior LED destination signs, interior LED next stop signs, and improved emergency exit signage.

The refurbished railcars also received the red, white, and blue interior found on the 5000-series cars.

3000-series

Washington Metro 3000 series
A train of Breda 3000-series cars prior to rehabilitation arrives at Van Dorn Street station.
Interior of Breda 3267 prior to rehabilitation.
Manufacturer	Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie (now Hitachi Rail Italy)
Order no.	290
Built at	Pistoia, Italy
Constructed	1984–1988
Entered service	1987
Refurbished	2004–2009 by Alstom Transportation
Number built	290
Number in service	288
Number scrapped	2
Fleet numbers	3000–3289
Capacity	Seating: 68 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Traction system	Four Alstom ONIX 2000 AC Traction Drives with IGBT Inverters (post rehab)
Power output	165 kilowatts (221 horsepower) per motor 600 kilowatts (800 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Fabricated Steel

Breda 3283 with modified floor plan. Note the side-facing bench seats in the center, the strap handles along the ceiling, and the lean rests near the end of the car.

The third order consisted of 290 cars, also from Breda, with delivery in 1987.

These cars are numbered 3000–3289 as delivered, and were rehabilitated by Alstom in Hornell, New York. As part of this rehabilitation project, they received AC propulsion systems with IGBT technology, replacing the chopper-controlled DC propulsion system. Also included in the rehabilitation is the addition of railcar monitoring systems, advanced ATC/ATS control systems, exterior LED destination signs, interior LED next stop signs, and improved emergency exit signage. The refurbished 3000-series cars also received the red, white, and blue interior found on the 5000-series cars.

On January 6, 1996, a revenue train collided with an out-of-service train, both consisting entirely of Breda 3000-series cars, at the Shady Grove station, fatally injuring the operator of the revenue train. Car 3252, the lead car of the revenue train, collided with 3191, the car at the inbound end of the out-of-service train. The mates of these two cars, 3253 and 3190 respectively, were later mated together. 3190 reentered revenue service as 3290, and 3253 reentered service as 3291.

Cars 3216–3217 are also out of service due to an accident.

Beginning in 2005, a number of 3000-series cars that had not yet undergone rehabilitation were modified as part of a pilot program to study passenger movements to improve the seating arrangement for future rail cars. Sixteen cars received a new seating arrangement that included modified handholds and seat positions, including some longitudinal seating. These cars, as well as other cars being used as control cars in the experiment, received on-board cameras in order for planners to observe passenger movements.

As of August 2008, Metrorail is testing new overhead handles of different styles on 3034, 3035, 3094, 3095 as well as some 1000-series cars to gauge public opinion.

4000-series

Washington Metro 4000 series
A Blue Line train of Breda 4000-series cars arrives at King Street – Old Town station.
Interior of Breda 4018.
Manufacturer	Breda Costruzioni Ferroviarie (now Hitachi Rail Italy)
Order no.	100
Built at	Pistoia, Italy
Constructed	1992–1994
Scrapped	2017
Number built	100
Fleet numbers	4000–4099
Capacity	Seating: 68 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Traction motors	Westinghouse 1462 chopper controlled DC motors
Power output	159.25 kilowatts (213.56 horsepower) per motor 637 kilowatts (854 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Deceleration	3 mph/s (4.8 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Fabricated Steel

The fourth order consisted of 100 cars from Breda, numbered 4000–4099. These cars were delivered in 1991.

There are some minor differences between these and the earlier Breda cars prior to rehabilitation. First, the bulkhead windows are rounded as compared to being squared, and unlike other cars, these are also the only cars in the system not to have been originally built with or retrofitted with exterior speakers.

These cars used the original flip-dot exterior destination signs, chopper-controlled DC propulsion system, and the original cream, orange, and yellow interior all the way up to their retirement.

Car 4018 was damaged in the Woodley Park accident, but was eventually repaired.

On July 4, 2010, Metro took all 100 4000-series cars out of service to repair the door motors to prevent them from unintentionally opening while the train is in motion, a situation that Metro engineers were able to duplicate in a rail yard. On July 20, the cars were returned to service after the repair was completed.

These cars were to be rehabilitated starting 2014 onward based on design specifications that were partially drafted in 2010, however, WMATA indicated in subsequent budgets that it wished to replace these rail cars with an additional one hundred 7000 series cars instead of overhauling them. This would result in an increase of new cars being delivered. According to an April 2013 Washington Post news story, the transit agency said that it would forgo updating the 4000 series rail cars, and Metro had exercised an option with Kawasaki to purchase an additional one hundred 7000 series cars to replace its 4000 series cars, costing an additional $215 million under the contract. It is expected to take over five years to replace the 4000 series cars. In June 2015 Metro pulled all 4000-series railcars from service following reports that doors were opening during travel; although no systemic problem was located, Metro kept the series out of service for more than a month to address door components that were below acceptable tolerance levels.

In July 2015, Metro released a request for proposals seeking a contractor to pick-up and then dispose of all 1000-series, followed by 4000-series cars, as part of its plan to phase-out those series with the new 7000-series. On November 17, 2016, Metro discovered a glitch in which a 4000-series car would display an incorrect speed limit to a train operator while in manual mode. All 4000-series cars were taken out of service in the afternoon, but were returned to service in the middle of trainsets. Metro announced that they would discontinue using 4000-series railcars in lead positions and considered accelerating the retirement of the cars to late 2017 or possibly earlier. On February 6, 2017, Metro confirmed the accelerated retirement of the 4000-series cars due to their many reliability concerns. According to WMATA, "The 4000-series rail cars are by far Metro’s least reliable, traveling an average of only 27,259 miles between delays. By contrast, the best performing cars, the 6000-series, are nearly four times more reliable, traveling more than 103,000 miles between delays." On June 7, 2017, Metro announced that the 4000-series cars would be fully retired and removed from service on July 1, 2017. Multiple retired 4000-series cars have been made available to emergency response agencies for training purposes. By June 24, all 4000 series had been retired.

In April 2017, car 4089 was sliced into seven sections and turned into vendor kiosks at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station as part of the pop up vendors plaza, which opened from May to June 30. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department acquired cars 4044 and 4045 for its Metrorail Training Simulator, which was dedicated on June 28, 2017.

5000-series

Washington Metro 5000 series
An Orange Line train of CAF cars at Minnesota Avenue station.
Interior of CAF 5134.
Manufacturer	CAF/AAI, Zaragoza and Bessain
Order no.	192
Built at	Spain and Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
Constructed	2001–2004
Entered service	2001
Refurbished	N/A
Scrapped	c. 2021
Number built	194
Number in service	192
Number scrapped	2
Fleet numbers	5000–5191
Capacity	Seating: 68 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 miles per hour (121 km/h)
Traction system	Four Bombardier Mitrac DR1000 AC Traction Drives with IGBT Inverters
Power output	175 kilowatts (235 horsepower) per motor 700 kilowatts (940 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Deceleration	3.146 mph/s (5.063 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Cast Steel

Cab of 5000-series rail car.

The fifth order consisted of 192 rail cars from a joint venture of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) of Spain and AAI Corporation of Hunt Valley, Maryland. These cars are numbered 5000–5191, with delivery in 2001.

Service introduction of these cars was heavily delayed due to software “glitches” which plagued delivery. At one point, WMATA looked to impose penalties against CAF for the service entry delays.

The contract consisted of CAF engineering and designing the cars and managing the project, while AAI performed assembly. These cars were the first Metrorail cars to originally feature alternating current traction inverters and motors. They were also the first to have LED destination signs on the exterior and LED “next stop” indication signs on the interiors. Along with these improvements, they were also the first to have intercar safety barriers (which have since been added to all other rolling stock) and railcar monitoring systems. The 5000-series cars premiered the red, white, and blue interior. This interior color scheme has since been used on the 2000/3000-series rehabilitation project and the 6000-series cars from Alstom.

Another feature is the return of cast steel trucks, which were previously only used on the Rohr cars. This was done as a cost-saving measure, since fabricated trucks take additional time to manufacture due to the machining required.

The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation about service life of these cars due to recent non-revenue service derailments in Metrorail yards, and the January 7, 2007, derailment of a revenue train on the Green Line at the Mt Vernon Square station.

The planned midlife rehabilitation of the 5000-series cars was to take place in the late 2010s through the early 2020s. Design specifications were to be drafted in 2017, with the first cars rehabbed in 2022. This series of cars would have been the third series of cars to have automated station announcements and the stainless steel paint scheme after they would have been rehabilitated. The cars would have been compatible with the 7000-series once the rehabilitation process was completed. Metro announced in November 2013 that within two years, all 5000-series and 6000-series cars would feature new resilient flooring, replacing the existing carpeting.

Cars 5066–5067 and 5152–5153 are out of service due to damage from accidents.

On June 4, 2015, the Federal Transit Administration approved early decommission of the 5000-series railcars which will be replaced with 7000-series trains. They will not be rehabbed.

6000-series

Washington Metro 6000 series
Alstom 6024 at Branch Avenue
Interior of Alstom 6026
In service	2006–present
Manufacturer	Alstom Transportation
Built at	Barcelona, Spain and Hornell, New York, USA
Constructed	2005–2007
Entered service	October 6, 2006
Number built	184
Number in service	184
Formation	2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	6000–6183
Capacity	Seating: 64 Total: 175
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Extruded Aluminum
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 mph (121 km/h)
Traction system	Four Alstom ONIX 2000 AC Traction Drives with IGBT Inverters
Power output	165 kilowatts (221 horsepower) per motor 660 kilowatts (890 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s))
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Cast Steel
Coupling system	Dellner
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄4 in (1,429 mm)

Subsequently, Metro ordered 184 rail cars from Alstom, the same company that rehabilitated the Breda 2000, and 3000 series cars. Delivery began in late 2005. These cars are being used on Metro trains; the first ones were deployed onto the Green Line. They look similar to the 5000-series cars built by CAF, but feature revised styling.

This is evident with bulkhead doors that have rounded windows compared to squared, and a revised operator window design which eliminates the top horizontal bar. These stylistic features are similar to what is found on the Rohr 1000-series cars. A major change that occurred for the first time since the Breda 2000-series cars is the reduction of seating. The 6000 series cars seat 64 instead of 68.

The interior has been completely redesigned to allow for additional standing room (mostly around the center doors) and easier access to all portions of the car. New to the 6000-series cars is the addition of two interior LED next stop indicators located at the center of the car, which brings the total to four interior displays per car (two facing each direction). Also new is an intercom located next to the center doors; previous railcars only have them at the front and back of each car.

Another new feature is that they are the first series of cars that will be manufactured with the flashing brake indicators on the far ends of each car. These are similar to what is used on the Rohr cars and the rehabilitated Bredas, and indicate when the train is in the final stages of stopping. Mechanically, the 6000 series cars features the same cast trucks as the CAF cars, and use the same propulsion systems and advanced cab signaling systems found in the Breda 2000/3000-series rehabilitation from Alstom.

The body shells of the 6000-series were built in Barcelona, Spain, with assembly completed in Hornell, New York.

In 2007 Metro began testing new resilient flooring on four 6000-series cars (6104+6105, 6142+6143). They announced in November 2013 that within two years all 5000- and 6000-series cars would feature the new floors.

On November 17, 2008, Metro completed the installation of new stainless steel-grab bars to all 184 6000-series cars.

Metro is testing new fabric seating on cars 6026–6027. This type of seating will also be installed on cars 6014–6015.

The first 6000-series railcar was placed into service on Friday, October 6, 2006, at 11:30 am on its inaugural trip from Greenbelt to Branch Avenue. Metro is planning to add automated announcements on all 6000-series railcars once refurbishment is complete, which will meet up with 7000-series standards.

7000-series

Washington Metro 7000 series
7000-series railcar at Greenbelt station, January 6, 2014.
WMATA 7000-Series interior.
In service	2015–present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Built at	Kawasaki Rail Car, Yonkers, New York, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Kobe, Japan
Replaced	1000 Series, 4000 Series, 5000 Series (Phase out occurring as more 7000-Series trains enter service)
Constructed	2012–present
Entered service	April 14, 2015
Number under construction	748
Number built	344
Number in service	300
Formation	2 cars (A-B) per trainset
Fleet numbers	7000–7747
Capacity	Seating: A-Car: 64 (transverse), 58 (longitudinal) B-Car: 68 (transverse), 64 (longitudinal) Total: A-Car: 175 (Transverse seating), 184 (Longitudinal seating) B-Car: 184 (Transverse seating), 192 (Longitudinal seating)
Operators	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless Steel
Train length	600 feet (182.88 m) (8-car train)
Car length	75 feet (22.86 m)
Width	10 feet 1+3⁄4 inches (3.09 m)
Height	10 feet 10 inches (3.30 m)
Floor height	40 inches (1,016 mm)
Doors	Sliding, 6 per car
Maximum speed	75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight	80,000 lb (36,000 kg)
Traction system	Toshiba SEA-430 IGBT-VVVF
Power output	140 kilowatts (190 horsepower) per motor 560 kilowatts (750 horsepower) per car
Acceleration	2.8 mph/s (4.5 km/(h⋅s)) to 32 mph (51 km/h)
Deceleration	2.2 mph/s (3.5 km/(h⋅s)) 3.2 mph/s (5.1 km/(h⋅s)) (emergency)
Electric system(s)	750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)	Contact shoe
Bogies	Fabricated steel truck
Coupling system	Dellner
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄4 in (1,429 mm)

In April 2013 WMATA moved forward with plans to order 528 railcars from Kawasaki, called the 7000-series, to replace the 1000, 4000-series cars, and to provide service for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, otherwise known as the Silver Line. In a February 8, 2007, press release, Metro stated that the new 7000-series cars would have a similar appearance to the 6000-Series cars manufactured by Alstom. However, in a January 2008 press release, Metro indicated that the design for the 7000-series cars would have a completely different appearance from that of the current rail cars. The exterior would feature a stainless steel body rather than the aluminum of earlier designs. Inside, seats would be taller and more ergonomically designed, carpeting would be replaced with a resilient floor covering, the grab bars along the ceiling would contain spring-loaded handles, and the cars would contain security cameras, as well as LCD displays to provide train information.

There is also an option to install longitudinal seating instead of the traditional transverse seating found in all previous stock. Such an option would decrease seating capacity, but increase overall car capacity.

Car configuration is also changed. While still operating as married pairs, the cab in one car would be eliminated, turning it into a B car (odd numbers), whereas cars with cabs would be A cars (even numbers). While six-car trains are not precluded, this configuration favors leaving the cars in quad sets that are convenient for four- or eight-car trains. An eight-car configuration would look something like this:

The crosses between cars represent couplers, while the dashes represent link bars.

The 7000-series cars will be so technologically advanced as to render them incompatible with the existing fleet. Presented with that issue, Metro's board members recognized the seriousness of the decision, but former Metro general manager John B. Catoe indicated that the board needed to decide "in months" on whether to go ahead with the rail car order, regardless of whether or not the Dulles extension was approved.

The bidding process began in December 2008. WMATA issued a notice to proceed to Kawasaki on July 27, 2010, after receiving funding from the Federal Transit Administration, although delivery was delayed due to issues with suppliers following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Under the contract, Metro originally agreed to purchase 428 7000-series railcars, both to replace its 1000-series cars and provide service for the new Silver Line. In April 2013 Metro elected to exercise an option in the contract to purchase an additional one hundred cars to replace its one hundred 4000-series cars, which it decided do not warrant being overhauled in light of chronic mechanical issues. In September 2013 Metro announced it exercised another option under the contract to purchase an additional 220 7000-series railcars, bringing the total order to 748 railcars. In total, the new 7000-series railcars will make up more than half of Metro's rolling stock by 2020. In November 2013 it was reported that the first four cars would arrive before the end of 2013 and that they would then be tested for 30 weeks, allowing Metro to troubleshoot any issues before full production begins.

Metro unveiled the first 7000-series quad set at Greenbelt on January 6, 2014. The set underwent acceptance testing for at least eight months in order to finalize design specs and work out any problems.

In September 2014 Metro reported that it was about one month away from finishing tests on the 7000-series test train, and it stated that it expected an eight-car train made up of 7000-series cars would start carrying passengers in early 2015, and Metro would have 56 railcars by June 2015. During that time, Metro revealed that during testing, a software issue was discovered that it was still addressing, although Metro was confident that the hardware itself was solid. Metro had indicated that the mass production schedule called for 56 new cars to be delivered by June 2015. Combined with the eight cars in the test group, that would give Metro 64 new cars, meaning eight 7000-series trains of eight cars each would be in service next summer. After that, 300 more cars would arrive by February 2017, followed by an additional 100, for a total of 528 new cars at an overall cost of $1.46 billion.

Metro warned its funding partners – VA, MD, and DC – that its option to purchase an additional 220 7000-series cars expires June 2015 and requires a funding commitment of $614 million for rolling stock, and $856 million for related infrastructure upgrades. Subsequently, in June 2015, the Federal Transit Administration cleared a major obstacle that was preventing Metro from purchasing the additional 220 railcars by approving an early retirement for the 192 5000-series railcars in order to avoid expenses and to upgrade rail service. Metro's funding partners, VA, MD, and DC, agreed to fund the additional purchase of 220 7000-series cars, bringing the total purchase to 748 cars, all of which are expected to be in service before the end of 2020

The first 7000-series train debuted on the Blue Line on April 14, 2015. 7000-series trains subsequently entered service on the Red line on June 8, 2015, the Orange Line in July, and the Green and Yellow Lines on August 17, 2015.

In June 2016, the 7000-series was taken out of service on Blue, Orange and Silver Lines after Metro discovered that trains could lose contact with the third rail on a steep curve, which caused a train to shut down outside Rosslyn Station in May 2016.

Cars 7000–7353 are in service scattered on all Metrorail Lines.

8000-series

Washington Metro 8000 series
File:WMATA 8000 Series Railcars Design Concept.png WMATA's design concept of an 8000 series rail car
File:Opgangway.jpg A rendering of open gangways for Metro’s 8000 series railcars
Order no.	366 (expected)
Replaced	2000 Series, 3000 Series
Constructed	2019 (expected)
Entered service	2023 (expected)

Following the replacement of the 1000, 4000, and 5000-series cars with the new 7000-series between 2016 and 2020, Metro has proposed that all 366 2000-series and 3000-series cars be replaced by the 8000-series cars. The design phase is to commence in 2018, with the contract awarded the following year. Delivery of the cars is scheduled to begin in 2023. Metro is considering using an open gangway married pair or quad-configuration design concept for the 8000 Series railcars. Other features being considered include wider doors, larger windows, WiFi, heated floors, and passenger-operated door push-buttons.

External links

• world.nycsubway.org: Rolling stock interiors
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Fleet Management plans (revised May, 2007)
  • Replacement One for previous source; click on "Vehicles/Vehicle parts
• Live From the Third Rail: WMATA 6000 Series Railcar Preview archived from the original; WMATA 6000 Series Rail Cars Reviewed archived from the original
• 2011–2020 Capital Needs Inventory
• General Data and Performance Curves for 1k - 6k cars