MTA Confirms Rehabbed Light Rail Car Caught in Fire Incident

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) confirmed on Tuesday that the light rail car involved in an electrical fire last week had recently undergone a scheduled rehabilitation. This incident led to the suspension of Baltimore's entire light rail service.

According to Holly Arnold, the MTA administrator, the affected car was one of 49 that had received a midlife overhaul. Following the fire on October 21, which resulted from a punctured high-voltage electrical conduit, the MTA conducted a full inspection of the entire fleet.

While the investigation into the fire revealed issues in the electrical system of the car, it remains uncertain whether other cars in the fleet share similar problems or if additional issues have been discovered during the ongoing inspections.

The current fleet of rail cars, which serves the 31-year-old north-south line, was overdue for rehabilitation when the state contracted Alstom Transportation Inc. in 2013 for a major overhaul expected to last five years. This project aimed to enhance the safety and reliability of the light rail vehicles over their anticipated 30-year lifespan.

However, records from the state spending board indicate that Alstom has faced numerous challenges throughout the project, leading to eight extensions of the initial $156 million contract over the past five years. Factors contributing to these delays include limited engineering resources, late delivery of materials, and complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arnold noted that while Alstom has been responsive in addressing these issues, the agency continues to push for timely progress on the inspections and repairs. Recent efforts include sending additional crews to Baltimore and having senior officials from Alstom on-site to collaborate with MTA personnel.

As of now, four rail cars remain at Alstom's New York facility awaiting rehabilitation. The MTA has been closely monitoring the process, with inspectors present during the rehabilitation to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Arnold emphasized that the decision to suspend service was made out of an abundance of caution, despite a safety risk assessment suggesting that service could continue safely while mitigation efforts were underway.

Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).