Bombardier BiLevel coaches are regional rail passenger cars designed to carry up to 360 passengers. These cars are easily identifiable; they are double-decked and are shaped like elongated octagons.The BiLevel coaches were originally designed by GO Transit and Hawker-Siddeley Canada in the mid-1970s as a more efficient replacement for GO's original single-deck diesel railcars. Later coaches were manufactured by Can-Car and finally Bombardier, who now own the designs and manufacturing facility. There are more than seven hundred such coaches in service today.
The coaches feature a riveted aluminum body on a steel frame. They are 4.85 m (15ft 11in) high and 3 m (9ft 10in) wide, and weigh about 50,000 kg (110,000 lbs). Depending on car design and seating configuration, seats are available for between 136 and 162 passengers, along with standing room. All coaches feature a restroom on the lower level. The coaches have two pairs of doors on each side which allow the entire coach to be emptied in 90 seconds. Some coaches have electrical outlets for laptop computers and other devices.
One major variant is the cab car . The cab car is placed at the end of the train and features a full cab built into the end of the coach, from which the train's locomotive can be remotely controlled. This allows for push-pull operation with a faster turnaround time for trains, by avoiding having to physically turn around the train or locomotive. Unlike the similar driving van trailer used by Britain's InterCity 225, the cab cars are otherwise identical to the regular coaches rather than imitating the design of the locomotive, leading to the appearance that the train is travelling 'backwards'.
List of operators using Bombardier BiLevel Coaches
Many commuter rail agencies have adopted the Bombardier BiLevel Coach for use in their fleets. They include:
See Also
External Links
Last updated: 08-03-2005 10:28:20
