Rail Photo of the Month: January 2023

CAF Type 9 LRV 3919

Location: Commonwealth Avenue at Washington Street, Boston, MA
Operator of Vehicle: Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)
Date of Photo: July 6, 2021

Last month, the second phase of the Green Line Extension in Boston opened to Medford.  This followed the first phase which inaugurated service to the Union Square station in Somerville.  This was the first extension of the Green Line since the Riverside Branch was inaugurated in 1959, though the Green Line route has been modified at other occasions (such as when the line was rerouted from the now demolished Causeway Street elevated to a new underground station at North Station).  The extension required the procurement of additional rolling stock, which resulted in the CAF Type 9 order being placed.  These twenty-four cars were solely for fleet expansion and none of the existing Type 7 or Type 8 cars were retired upon delivery of the Type 9s.  The Type 9 bodies were assembled in Spain and final assembly was conducted in Elmira, New York.  The first Type 9 entered revenue service in December of 2018.  The Type 9 interiors feature additional screens for passenger information and announcements and a shorter high floor section. 

For more photos of MBTA Type 9 LRVs, please click here.