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MK starting doing new build passenger cars after getting its hand on heavy overhaul work, but built only two: CTA 3200 and MNCR/ConnDOT M-6. The Hornell shops went to Alstom.mtuandrew wrote:Look at the 1960s - SLCC and ACF were still in business for a while, but it was 99% Budd and Pullman-Standard. There weren’t any new long-lasting entrants into the American carbuilding industry despite transit contracts. (Rohr and Boeing both tried!)
R36 Combine Coach wrote:MK starting doing new build passenger cars after getting its hand on heavy overhaul work, but built only two: CTA 3200 and MNCR/ConnDOT M-6. The Hornell shops went to Alstom.
mtuandrew wrote:Right, MK slipped my mind but fits the rule. Colorado Railcar never even got that far, and neither did Amerail.
dowlingm wrote:Wonder if Hitachi would be interested in acquiring the business, structured to give Kawasaki a gentle exit? That said, they may have enough on their plate managing their recent European ventures in Italy and the UK.
hs3730 wrote:The M8 at least didn't have a fiasco like the Silverliner V. For a "this is our first US mainline RR EMU" they did a pretty good job.
I wonder if the age-related problems are a result of the US supplier requirements - the E231s they built for JR East still look brand new despite having first gone into service in 2000 and seeing way more passengers. Leaking AC would be unheard of.
I'm hoping they find a way to stay in the US market, because I highly doubt CRRC will have even half the quality, and Bombardier seems to be incapable of delivering anything other than an off the shelf bilevel or multilevel commuter car on time anymore.
Nasadowsk wrote:Maybe Kawasaki will be better with the M9s - they sure are taking their merry time building them.
It's probably a few things. Supplier requirements, bad design brought on by consultants and customers living in la la land, the FRA, crappy track bouncing everything to bits, and the 'maintenance' practices US RRs are famous for, i.e. run to destruction and then replace.
Corporately, Bombardier's in deep trouble - they're basically trying to sell or give away all their aviation assets to stay afloat now. The Chinese? Who cares how crappy it is, US transit agencies will buy because they're cheap, and China knows it. Just like everything else we buy from them.
Head-end View wrote:And yes, the first cars Kawasaki ever built for the USA in 1982 are still running in the Philadelphia subway system.
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