First Double Deck DMU Passes FRA 800,000 Lb. Compression Buff Load Test

New double deck DMU under construction at Colorado Railcar's Ft. Lupton facility.

188 Seat Double Deck DMU, 200 Seat Low-Floor Coach Purchased by Florida DOT for
FRA's DMU Demonstration Project in South Florida

From L to R: Dominic DiBrito, Brad Barkman, and Steve Sill review plans for the modifications of the single level DMU before returning to Florida service.

Ft. Lupton, Colorado August 27, 2004 – For the first time in transportation history, a double deck DMU has met the FRA 49 CFR Part 238 structural requirement, an 800,000 pound structural buff load test. Harnessed in a steel fixture with huge hydraulic rams compressing at both ends, clusters of strategically placed sensors record the stress. The double deck structure clicked past the 800,000 pound mark passing the first and most important load test. Designed and built by Colorado Railcar, a variation of the new 188 seat DMU together with a variation of the 200 seat, low-floor commuter coach and the single level DMU were purchased for revenue service by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA/Tri-Rail) representing the FRA and Florida DOT in a joint procurement agreement. The innovative double deck, self propelled railcar will be only the second DMU to pass the FRA's rigorous structural test requirements. On February 26, 2002 the single level DMU, passed the test with flying colors. The DMU consist is scheduled for revenue service in April for SFRTA/Tri-Rail. The double deck DMU will appear at the September 2005 APTA Equipment Show in Dallas.

Tri-Rail/SFRTA & FRA Plant Visit

At an August 11th construction milestone meeting, Brad Barkman, Director of Operations for SFRTA; Brian Kohlberg, SFRTA Contract Compliance Specialist; Albert Bonaficio, Manager of Quality Assurance; and Steve Sill, Program Manager of the FRA DMU Demonstration Project visited Colorado Railcar's Fort Lupton plant. The group reviewed the progress of the new railcars (the double deck DMU and the double deck, low floor commuter coach) and the updating of the original single level DMU, which has temporarily returned to Colorado for an application of new paint in SFRTA colors and various upgrades.

From L to R: Tom Rader, Steve Sill, Brad Barkman, Brian Kohlberg, John Thompson, Dominic DiBrito, Alberto Bonaficio, Jeff Schrecengost, Arthur Rader and Tom Janaky

Tom Rader explains the intricacies of the low-floor, double deck coach frames to the FRA and SFRTA - Tri-Rail guests.