DMU In First Revenue Service
Miami Herald Dubs DMU “Train of the Future”

December 31, 2003 — Colorado Railcar’s DMU completed its first “revenue service” run today kicking off the DMU Demonstration Project sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The Florida press gave the new railcar extensive, very positive coverage. Tri-Rail, now known as the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), officially placed the DMU into revenue service on their P608 northbound trip at 9:33 am on Wednesday, December 31, with the Boca Raton Station as its initial stop.

“Tri-Rail is testing a new type of vehicle (DMU) that could prove to be the train technology of the future.” – Scott Andron and Natalie P. McNeal, Miami Herald

This project is the result of Florida Congressman John Mica’s efforts in Congress to develop funding for improved, innovative commuter travel in his district and as a model for the entire country. The federal appropriation and Florida DOT matching funds are now in place to initiate the project.

Bonnie Arnold, marketing director for SFRTA, told the Boca Raton/Delray Beach News that the DMU “offers enhanced maintenance efficiency and less fuel emissions than locomotives currently in operation”. In addition, she said, “the proposed double- deck DMUs and coaches can carry about 18 percent more passengers than Tri-Rail’s existing coaches - or 185 and 200 passengers compared to the current 157”. “The increased capacity,” Arnold continued, “will be essential to meet the anticipated growth in passengers when the current double tracking program is completed and trains will be running every 20 minutes during rush hour”.

The News further reported that “Tri-Rail officials said the authority will purchase a three-car DMU train set. Beginning February 2004, the DMU will be used six times a day, mingling with Tri-Rail’s regular fleet.”

The Miami Herald, in an article entitled “Train of the Future?”, commented; “Old-fashioned locomotives could go the way of the caboose, as a hybrid engine-passenger car (the DMU) is run through its paces in Broward (Florida)”. The article went on to report on the self-propelled commuter railcar’s reception. “The DMU was greeted by a chorus of “oohs” and “ahs” as it rolled into Tri-Rail’s Griffin Road station at lunchtime Wednesday. Almost all of the seats in the vehicle were taken. “It’s quiet, it’s smooth,” said Matthew Crowding, a pilot heading from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Miami International Airport. “I like it.”

“ I love it. It’s gorgeous,” Frances Carswell a frequent Tri-Rail patron told the Palm Beach Post. “This is going to make it better. It’s much more comfortable.” The Post article went on to explain; “Matching grants from the FRA and FDOT will cover the 12.8 million cost of the two-year test program. The agency will buy one single deck car and two double-deckers from Colorado Railcar Manufacturing, the only company in the country to build the FRA compliant self-propelled cars.” Brad Barkman, the transportation authority’s operations director, told the Post, “What we’ve seen so far has been great.