Metropolis Elevated Unveils New Scheme, Draws Inspiration From Australia.

Metropolis, BR. July 26th, 2015

New Paint Job For Elevated Subway Cars. 

Metropolis Transit unveiled a new paint job for the beloved Elevated Subway cars that circle Downtown's central business district. The current cars, built in 2005 by transportation giant Bombardier, are painted in the 1995 "Red Swoosh" Paint job that first appeared on the original 1964 Elevated cars from Maine. Metropolis Transit plans to phase out the "Red Swoosh" on the elevated subway lines as the current 2005 cars are due to be rebuilt in 2020 and brand new subway cars will replace the 1964 cars. 2020 couldn't come soon enough though for the company. Consultant, Cole Phillps from Melbourne, Australia along with company president. Nicholette Casey worked to introduce the new elevated scheme which was inspired by PTV livery most Melbourne transit vehicles are currently wearing including their Metro system. Elements from the current scheme the Woodland Subway cars wear also appear. 

The New Scheme is Based Off the one Melbourne, Australia's Metro System Wears. 

Metropolis Transit's new Aussie inspired scheme will only be applied to the current 2005 Bombardier elevated subway cars and will not show up on any of the older 64' el cars. The new Kawasaki built subway cars currently on order will also proudly wear this scheme. When asked if the scheme will appear on buses, Casey said, "Nope! We were inspired by Melbourne, were are not trying to copy it. Only Elevated trains will wear the paint scheme, buses will continue to wear the 'red swoosh' or will match the trolleys. The 'red swoosh' is a icon for Metropolis hence why the new trackless trolleys are being delivered with them. The Woodland Subway, both the 1984 Kawasaki built cars and 2007 built Alstom cars will not be repainted at this time.

Kawasaki Picked To Build New Elevated Trains

Metropolis, BR. October 1st 2014.

Kawasaki will build the new elevated subway trains for Metropolis Transit.

Metropolis Transit has picked Kawasaki to build 150 brand new elevated subway cars after Kawasaki presented the lowest price in a month long bid against Bombardier, CAF USA & AlsandoBreda. The 150 new train car will replace the 50 year old Type-D PCC Cars. Metropolis Transit currently owns only 48 Type-D cars after 120 of them were retired following the delivery of the Bombardier elevated cars. All 48 cars will be retired and the fleet will expand greatly. This will give leeway for 8 car 47 & 65 Trains as well as expanding the fleet for the 22 & 26 Line which is currently having an extension built to Metropolis Central Station. Currently, the 47 & 65 trains run 6 cars packed loads at rush hours and both line runs every 7 mintues during rush hour.

Kawasaki To Ironically Rebuild Aging Kawasaki Trolley Fleet

Metropolis, BR. July 14th 2014.

Kawasaki will rebuild trolley they previous made themselves.

In a bit of a laughing irony, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has won the contract to rebuild Metropolis's aging trolley fleet that they had previously built themselves in the 1980s. Favoritism was not factor though in this case, they just happen to be the cheapest guys who can do the job. In a two month bidding period they proposed to rebuild the 155 Trolley Cars at $3.9 Million a piece which may seem a tad pricey but quiet cheap compared to others who bid on the contract. Kawasaki was lowest bidder among Siemens, CAF and FERB. The rebuilding will commence starting the end of 2014 and will continue until 2019 the earliest. The long period of time is due to the fact that only 5 to 10 trolley will be sent out at a time in order to not make the system go into fleet shortage. At the same time, the Siemens trolley cars will be continuing their delivery so their might be a balance to work with.

Kawasaki Trolley on the Rt 82 Line. 

Metropolis Transit's rebuilt trolley will feature new motors, new brakes that reuse and restore the energy it uses, faster speeds, upgraded LED signs, upgraded paint scheme, and updated windows and doors. This will also remove the trolley pole that is currently uses to collect power and upgrade to pantograph power collectors for more reliable service. The incandescent lights in the car will be replaced with LED as well and upgraded wall colors. The first upgraded trolley is set to hit rails March 2015. The upgraded trolley will last until 2025.