| has gloss | eng: The M-8 is an electric multiple unit railroad car built by Kawasaki for use on the New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad. The cars were ordered by the the Connecticut Department of Transportation which has ordered 342 cars out of a total 380 cars, the rest of which are still on option. The M8 improves on the design of the M-7 car used on the Harlem Line and the Hudson Line. It will replace the 240 M-2s which have been in use for over 30 years. Current schedule calls for an eight car test train to be delivered late 2009. Full production of the M8s is to begin in early 2010 and the cars are to be delivered at a rate of 10 cars per month until delivery is completed in late 2012. The M8s will differ most from the M7s in that they will have both third-rail and catenary electrical power. The M8s will be able to pick up 750 Volt direct current power from third rail via shoes for operation along the New Haven Line from Grand Central to Pelham, 12,500 Volt alternating current power from overhead lines via pantographs for operation from Pelham to New Haven (as well as along the New Canaan Branch), and 25,000 Volt AC power from overhead for operation along the Shore Line East route east... |
