Weekly Photo Fun - May 8th-14th, 2015

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I have here a candidate for the ugliest train!

These are actually particularly rare Washington D.C. Metro rapid transit/Subway cars, produced by Walthers many moons ago. The models are not necessarily dimensionally accurate, and these specific examples are in rough shape to boot. While nothing is broken, they do not roll, and the decals are either damaged or missing altogether. Both cars are dummies.

The models reportedly did not sell very well, and they were not produced long, though this is perhaps unsurprising. It seems only the rapid transit trains to gain popularity are the New York City Subways.

The prototype was built by Rohr and delivered between 1973 and 1976 when the line opened. The 75' cars are arranged in "married pairs" of two single-cab cars back to back. Each car has 82 seats, plus standing room, and a maximum speed of 75 MPH. These cars are only now up for retirement, taking place between now and 2017. Reportedly, they are not reliable in collisions.