WMATA 5000 series cars

So are these removed from service, or just stored in yards?

Although WMATA may preserve 5000-5001, I assume most will be scrapped. Perhaps some will be used for first responder training. I remember hearing about a plan to keep some old cars as a "reserve fleet" a few years ago. Has this idea bit the dust? If they were to go through with this plan, they would likely keep some 5Ks. Then again I'm skeptical about this actually happening.

daybeers wrote:This is great, but I really wish they would've given actual numbers as opposed to "almost half" and "nearly 500" so I could update the Metro and Metro rolling stock Wikipedia articles with a reliable source!

I think car #7500 has already been delivered but is still in testing.

Just following-up on the thread that Metro confirmed the removal of 130 5000-series railcars. https://www.wmata.com/about/board/meeti ... Update.pdf page 3

Are the 5000 series cars really that unreliable? Also, does anyone have a count of how many cars WMATA has and/or has in service?

daybeers wrote:Are the 5000 series cars really that unreliable? Also, does anyone have a count of how many cars WMATA has and/or has in service?

Metro had bought 192 5000 series cars, and 4 are out of service because of damage to accidents. So if 130 have been removed from service that means only 58 are left in service.


Metro had once called the 5000 series "lemons". They are almost as unreliable as the 4000 series.

daybeers wrote:Are the 5000 series cars really that unreliable? Also, does anyone have a count of how many cars WMATA has and/or has in service?

WMATA IFB for railcar disposal

Here is the IFB for the removal and disposal of 192 5000 series cars. There is also an option to dispose of 58 2000, 3000, 6000, and 7000 series cars.

192 5000 series.

54 2000/3000 series.

2 6000 series.

2 7000 series.

mackievlzpro wrote:WMATA IFB for railcar disposal

Here is the IFB for the removal and disposal of 192 5000 series cars. There is also an option to dispose of 58 2000, 3000, 6000, and 7000 series cars.

192 5000 series.

54 2000/3000 series.

2 6000 series.

2 7000 series.

Link doesn't work. Why are they getting rid of two 7000-series cars?

daybeers wrote:

mackievlzpro wrote:WMATA IFB for railcar disposal

Here is the IFB for the removal and disposal of 192 5000 series cars. There is also an option to dispose of 58 2000, 3000, 6000, and 7000 series cars.

192 5000 series.

54 2000/3000 series.

2 6000 series.

2 7000 series.

Link doesn't work. Why are they getting rid of two 7000-series cars?

Oops, should be fixed now!

"daybeers"
Why are they getting rid of two 7000-series cars?

The way it reads to me is they are not, it looks like WMATA wants a signed contract in hand in the event disposal becomes necessary.

Note the progression of increase in weight.

Are there no railcars assigned to Brentwood?

The 2 6Ks and 7Ks are probably there in case of accident damage. I think they might be planning to remove some 2Ks from service (after all they're not getting the new wrap or interior upgrades).

Also does anyone know if they plan on keeping 5000-5001? Those two were last spotted at Greenbelt where 1000-1001 and 4000-4001 are kept.

Metro preserving 4000-4001 makes me believe 5000-5001 will be preserved as well, but I don't think there's been an official confirmation on that.

Weren't the 5000s supposed to be kept around in "mothballed" condition, in the event that an entire series needed to be pulled?

schmod wrote:Weren't the 5000s supposed to be kept around in "mothballed" condition, in the event that an entire series needed to be pulled?

Yeah a few years ago I heard about plans to keep 50 or so cars around, but perhaps their plans have changed.