The New Haven Register describes the first run of the M-8 rail cars on the MetroNorth rail line. The cars made their first round trip between Stamford and New York’s Grand Central Terminal. The eight-car train was the first made up of M-8s to carry paying customers. The first cars arrived Dec. 24, 2009, and underwent extensive testing, including 4,000 miles of trouble-free test runs. The state has committed to buy 380 of the new M8 cars. The state Bond Commission last week approved purchasing the final 38.
The 380 cars average a $2.23 million price tag, according to a press release by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office, with 65% paid by Connecticut and 35% by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
