7000-series (CTA)

7000-series
A 7000-series train arriving at Jackson station on the Blue Line
In service2021–present
ManufacturerCRRC Sifang America
Built atCRRC Plant, Chicago, Illinois
Replaced
Constructed2019–present
Entered service2021
Number under construction
Number built138[citation needed]
Number in service126[1]
FormationMarried-pair
Fleet numbers
  • 7001–7400 (base order)
  • 7401–7846 (options if picked up)
Capacity37 to 38 (seated)
OperatorsChicago Transit Authority
Depots
Lines served     Blue Line
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel with fiberglass end bonnets
Car length48 ft (14.63 m)
Width9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Height12 ft (3.66 m)
Doors2 × 2 per car
Maximum speed
  • Design: 70 mph (110 km/h)
  • Service: 55 mph (89 km/h)
Traction systemSiemens IGBTVVVF[2]
Traction motorsSiemens 3-phase AC induction motor
AuxiliariesKB Powertech Corp. USA[2]
Electric system(s)Third rail600 V DC
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’
AAR wheel arrangementB-B+B-B
BogiesSiemens
Braking system(s)WABTec regenerative and hydraulic[2]
Safety system(s)Siemens ATC/ATO[2]
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The 7000-series of rail cars was ordered by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for the Chicago "L". The base order is for 400 cars and will be used to replace the 2600-series cars, dating back to the 1980s,[3] which are currently assigned to the Blue, Brown, and Orange Lines. If the CTA ordered the additional 446 cars, these cars would replace the 3200-series cars, dating back to the early 1990s, which are currently assigned to the Blue and Brown Lines. Including all options, which is a total of 846 cars, the order will cost $1.3 billion.[4][5]

The contract called for ten prototypes to be delivered by October 2019. If the rail cars prove to be acceptable, then full production cars would be delivered starting in October 2020, at a rate of 10 cars per month. The cost per car is approximately $1.58 million.[6] Prototypes for testing were delivered in August 2020,[7] and the base order is to be delivered by 2024.

According to the CTA, when the 7000-series cars enter service, the Chicago "L" will have one of the youngest fleets of any U.S. transit system,[8] with its fleet being an average of 13 years old. For comparison, the average age of rapid transit trains will be 27 years for Boston, 25 years for the District of Columbia, 22 years for New York City, and 18 years for San Francisco.[3] Ten cars in the 7000-series began testing revenue service on April 21, 2021.[9]

  1. ^ "Performance metrics". Chicago Transit Authority. February 29, 2024. p. 9. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "CTA 7000 series component suppliers" (PDF). CRRC.
  3. ^ a b "CTA Board OKs Deal For Nearly 850 New Rail Cars". CBS Chicago. March 9, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  4. ^ "Could the CTA pay the price for Trump's trade war with China?". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Purchase Rail Cars - 7000 Series Options / RTAMS". Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference first-step was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Salfiti, Zinya (April 21, 2021). "Blue Line riders get first look at new rail cars as CTA launches in-service testing". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.