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Sacramento Tour Shows Off New Muni Trains Coming in 2017

By
Kristen Holland
Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Last week we shared some good funding news about the new Muni light rail vehicles that will start going into service next year. The first of four initial trains now in production is due to arrive by the end of the year. They’ll be tested before starting service in 2017, and the rest of the fleet will roll out in phases by 2028. Some SFMTA staff joined Mayor Ed Lee, Assemblyman David Chiu, President of the Board of Supervisors, London Breed, our Board Chairman Tom Nolan and SFMTA Director of Transportation, Ed Reiskin yesterday for a tour through the Siemens plant in Sacramento where the new trains are being designed and built.

We've ordered 151 replacement trains that we'll start swapping out for the current Breda trains after we have the 64 expansion trains already operating. With this year’s most recent California Cap-And-Trade’s $45 million grant, 42 of the 64 planned expansion trains are now funded. The 151 replacement trains are already funded as well.

Four men and one woman in suits stand in front of a light rail vehicle on stands, waiting to have the wheel trucks installed.
The tour included the first train that will arrive in SF later this year. Left to right: Siemens President Michael Cahill, Lee, Chiu, Breed and Nolan. Photo taken Aug. 29, 2016.

Sneak Peek of Muni's New Light Rail Vehicles

In addition to a detailed tour of the first train off the line, attendees also got to see where the early train assembly takes place.

The steel frames of the new Muni light rail vehicles sit on the factory floor.
The steel frames of the new Muni trains wait for completion on the Siemens' factory floor. Photo taken Aug. 29, 2016

Long strands of electrical wires are laid out carefully in a large grey bundle on a white table.
The complex electrical system of the new trains requires meticulous coordination. Photo taken Aug. 29, 2016

Tour attendees cluster together to hear details in the noisy factory.
Cahill leads the tour an provides Lee, Nolan and our Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin details on the early stages of assembly. Photo taken Aug. 29, 2016.