Quote:
Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse
Why does Boston have such a weird mix of single and bi-level coaches? Why not just have all bilevels and be done with it...
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Because they bought only what they needed at a time.
Here's their commuter rail equipment roster:
(not sure when the last update of my source occurred)
http://www.transithistory.org/roster/
55 single levels built by Pullman-Standard in 1978-1979, rebuilt in 1996, plus 2 out of service.
141 single levels built by Bombardier in 1987-1990, plus 3 out of service.
21 single levels built by MBB in 1987-1988, plus 43 out of service. This class is being phased out.
126 double levels built by Kawasaki in three batches 1990-2006, plus 13 out of service.
74 double levels built by Rotem in 2012-2014?, plus 1 out of service. This is the latest class of cars they have ordered. I'm not sure if they have ordered more.
Subtotal of active single level cars = 217
Subtotal of active double level cars = 200
Total of active cars = 417
That's a lot of cars to order simultaneously.