Learn about work performed throughout the Metro system to keep it in a state of good repair in the Maintenance Diaries.
In this installment, we took a trip to the Red Line maintenance shop with Bob Spadafora, Senior Executive Officer of Rail Fleet Services. Bob talks about his role in fleet services and how it directly impacts our riders.
From overseeing the daily maintenance of rail vehicles to leading in-house overhaul projects, Bob has a challenging job — but he’s also got a true passion for transit as he’s been in the industry for more than 30 years. Bob gives us a glimpse of major renovations the Red Line cars are currently undergoing. Watch as we stroll through one of the 74 rail cars to be refurbished this year with new flooring, lighting, fresh paint and (yes, it’s true) vinyl seats!
What’s coming up next for Maintenance Diaries? Below is just a sampling of the topics we’re planning to cover. If there’s a topic you’re particularly interested in, be sure to let us know in the comments!
Maintenance Diaries: How Metro trains are powered.
Maintenance Diaries: Metro’s Central Maintenance Bus Facility.
Maintenance Diaries: How bus service is restored after a breakdown.
Maintenance Diaries: What makes a train run smoothly?
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects
Are the Red Line trains getting refurbished mechanically? Some of the motor sounds are different.
I’d love an explanation for how the in-train PA/video display systems are *supposed* to be in sync with the terminals, and why they are working only about 70% of the rides I take on Expo.
It seems to me the subsystem designer should be sued.
Love this series. Keep it up!
Lets see an A650 in a P3010 livery!
Is there a separate maintenance shop for the Purple Line cars?
Hi Morris,
No, there isn’t. This is the reason there’s a project to widen the Division 20 portal — it will allow for more trains to pass through, improving turnaround times at Union Station and supporting the amount of trains needed once the Purple Line Extension opens.
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source