[VivaLFuego]

It will be pretty modern. AC propulsion, so smoother acceleration and braking (not to mention regenerative braking that gives a 10-20% savings on overall power consumption). Active suspension for real time adjustment of shock pressue for matching platform heights exactly and ensuring a smooth ride. LED signs all over the place (i.e. destination signs, plus route maps with LED lights showing the trains current location).

If you've ridden on the IRT lines in New York (the numbered lines....1,2,3,4,5,9, etc) I think you have an idea of what these will be like. Bombardier just did a 1000-car order for them and the cars are quite nice.

Think of it as the difference between riding the Brown Line or Orange Line (newer cars) and the Red Line.....except more so. The new cars will make a huge difference on peoples impressions riding the system, by being very quiet, smooth, and high-tech/modern (and let's hope not too dirty).

The downside is it will be 2008-2009 before we can experience it.

Also, this order for new cars will first replace the 150 cars on the blue line (2200 series, with the funky blinker doors) that are currently about 37 years old, and will be over 40 by the time of delivery, which is very, very old. And they'll also replace the 200 2400-series cars (currently on the green and purple line), which are currently 30 years old and will be nearly 35 by the time of their replacement.

FTA recommends replacings cars every 25-30 years, and of course Chicago's weather is extra hard on them. As they get older, it gets increasingly more costly to repair, because parts are harder to find and more expensive.