BILEVEL COMMUTER CAR - DESIGNS
The Bilevel Commuter Car, having been in production since 1976, has gone through a number of changes over the years, but the general design and appearance has remained unchanged. It has colloquially become known as the “Lozenge” design, with GO Transit even using the outline of the design on some signage. The Bilevel Commuter Car design can be broken down into 5 distinct designs or “series”. Most commuter agencies have more than one series of car, so having a variety of car designs goes a long way to having a truly realistic commuter train.
Please note: These series are based on the general designs and are not the same as the “series” numbers applied by GO Transit or Metrolink.
Series I
- 5-windows on the lower level
- Riveted-side body
- Small windows
- Intermediate-level washroom on the A-end
- Cab Coaches - Small cab with single window
- No Conductors window
- Many later retrofitted to include larger cab and conductors window.
Series II
- 4-windows on the lower level
- Riveted-side body
- Small windows
- Lower-level washroom on the B-end
- Cab Coaches - Small cab with single window (early)
- Full-width cab with two windows (later)
Series III
- 4-windows on the lower level
- Welded-side body with a transverse rib
- Small windows
- Lower-level washroom on the B-end
- Cab Coaches - Full-width cab with two windows
- Engineers + Conductors windows
Series IV
- 4-windows on the lower level
- Welded-side body with a transverse rib
- Large windows
- Lower-level washroom on the B-end
- Cab Coaches - Full-width engineers cab
- Engineers + Conductors windows
Series X “CEM” (Crash Energy Management)
- New roof profile and body design
- 4-windows on the lower level
- Fewer windows on intermediate level
- Welded-side design w/ wide transverse rib
- Large windows
- Lower-level washroom on the B-end
- Cab Coaches - Full-width elevated engineers cab
- Streamlined nose w/ large window