Nippon Sharyo P865


The P865 was an articulated light rail vehicle used on the Los Angeles County Metro Rail system. It was manufactured by Nippon Sharyo and used on Metro's Blue Line and Expo Line.
The trains featured air conditioning, emergency intercoms, wheelchair spaces and automated announcements. They are of an air-electric design, with air powered doors, friction brakes, and a pantograph.

Operational history

The P865s were the first urban rail vehicles to run in Los Angeles County since the Pacific Electric Railway ceased operations in 1961. The original 54 railcars, numbered 100-153, were ordered at a cost of $1.17 million each. Prior to entering service, all of the railcars were christened after various cities in Los Angeles County; it was in the same style as christening a ship before being launched. Examples include Long Beach and Bell.

Nippon Sharyo P2020

The P2020 is the newer version of the P865, which had automatic train control and control box for Green Line service since the Green Line was originally intended to be fully automated. A total of 15 vehicles with that model designation were delivered to Metro in 1994. The railcars, numbered 154-168, entered revenue service on the Green Line the following year. In the early 2000s, Cars 154-168 were transferred to the Blue Line fleet, when the Green Line received newer Siemens P2000 LRVs.

Overhaul

In late 2013, Metro awarded a 60-month fixed price contract to ORX to overhaul the powered axle assemblies for the then twenty-three year old railcars.

Retirement and preservation

The P865s were completely retired in September 2018 after 28 years of service, and were replaced by Kinkisharyo P3010s. While most of the P865s were dismantled for parts and subsequently scrapped, Cars 100 and 144 were retained. Car 100, christened Long Beach, is being preserved for its namesake city. Car 144 was donated to the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, California. Both cars are currently preserved in operating condition.
The P2020s, as of October 2018, are still in service and are expected to be retired in the next few years.

In popular culture

The P865 has made several media appearances other than public service announcements. It was featured in movies such as Lethal Weapon 3, The Italian Job, and Captain Marvel.