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B2 Cars
Car No: 1501-1913;
Built: 1970-1975 (By Rohr as A and B cars)
Rebuilt 1997-2002 (By Adtranz/Bombardier)
In Service: 1998 - Present

B2 Car Background

B2 cars are used in the middle of trains. These cars do not have automatic controls, and rely on a lead and trailing units for their operation in revenue service. They can run under manual control as single units in the yard.

The 1998-2002 rebuilding/conversion process resulted in a 380 car fleet of new B cars (named B2 cars), numbered between 1501 and 1913.
Picture
B2 car 1505, ex B car 505
B2 Cars numbered 1501-1774 were all formerly B cars 501-774. Some B cars were written off, so there are gaps in the numbering. With rebuilding, the cars gained a new fleet number 1000 more than the previous car number. Thus, 1501 is ex 501.

B2 Cars 1801-1913 were all formerly A cars in one point in time:
  • 1801-1837 were rebuilt B cars 801-837. Cars 801-837 were converted from A cars between 1978 and 1993 (pre-rebuilding).
  • 1838-1913 were converted directly from A cars as part of the rebuilding process from 1998-2002.
There is no direct connection between the former A car number and the current B2 car number for the 1800/1900 series cars. See the A to B conversion page on the conversion story and the complete car number history.
With the completion of the rebuilding program, it has become common parlance to refer to A2 cars as A cars, and B2 cars as B cars. In all but historical context, the terms A and A2 / B and B2 are interchangeable.

Due to their very versatile nature, they run in every legacy train.

As of June 2023, 286 B2 cars are in service, and 94 have been scrapped.

A few B2 cars have ad wraps. See the Ad Wraps page to view more about these colorful BART cars.

General Details

Original Builder: Rohr Industries, Inc.
Original Build Location: Chula Vista Rohr Plant, Building 61
Original Years of Construction: 1970-1971 (1501-1503, 1887), 1971-1975 (1504-1774, 1801-1913 sans 1887)
Rebuilder: Adtranz/Bombardier
Rebuild Location: Pittsburg, CA
Rebuild Years: 1997-2002
Rebuild cost: Aprox $1.0 million/car
Quantity: 380 (before end of life scrapping)
Length: 70 feet
Weight (Empty): 60,000 - 61,500 lb
Seats: 53
Propulsion: Adtranz AC IGBT-VVVF drive with 4 X 140 HP ADtranz 1507C motors
Brakes: Knorr dynamic/regenerative to 3 mph, Hydraulic friction braking below 3 mph.
Auxiliary Power Supply Equipment (APSE): Bombardier
HVAC: Wabtech, 15 ton
Truck: LFM-Rockwell cast steel, model HPD-3
Electronic Horn: Federal Signal
Coupler: Wabco N3

Car No: Year Built
1501-1503: 1970 (Originally prototype cars)
1504-1549: 1972
1550-1623: 1973
1624-1723: 1974
1724-1774: 1975
1801-1913: 1971-1975 (originally built as A cars)

Exterior

Picture
B2 car 1801, formerly B car 801, and originally A car 147. More about the A car to B car conversion below.
The B2 cars feature a brushed (now, more of a chalky) aluminum carbody with four blue trim stripes. Each side has two pairs of side doors allowing for entry and exit.

Each car is equipped with 16 tinted windows (two sizes) and two trouble lights (which indicate conditions such as a door open or brakes stuck on).

Each B2 car has 20 intercar barriers (5 per corner), which prevent passengers from falling in between cars.

Interior

Picture
Picture
Almost every B2 car is equipped with 53 seats. Each seat is generously cushioned, and measure about 21 inches in width with 34 inch pitch (comparable to economy plus in the airline world, and still a bit wider than most).

There are 7 "single" seats in the middle of each B2 car, on the right side (facing forward, the Y direction). These are often the most popular seats, and usually prioritized by commuters traveling alone.

On A2 and B2 cars, there are four "pods" (sets of seats facing each other) allowing for multiple riders to converse (or something - it's useful for families but not individual commuters).

The arm rests are of the "beige-millstone aluminum/melamine" theme type, a contrast to their original lives as A/B cars and the C1 cars (which had the "wood" theme).

There are dozens of grab straps and grab bars located along the ceiling and at certain seats (in lieu of an seat-mounted grab bar). The straps were a relatively recent addition (from the past 10 years), and come in both standard and lowered sizes.

Each car is equipped with two maps, two emergency evacuation instructions, and eight ad holders.

Both the X and Y ends of each car are equipped with intercar closure doors and tubes, allowing for safe passage between moving cars.
Each B2 car features two assigned spaces for bikes, two assigned spaces for passengers with wheelchairs/mobility aids, and four sideways seats prioritized for passengers with disabilities (seat cushions seated yellow).

Passengers without disabilities are allowed to sit in these priority seats. Signage says these yellow seats are "to be made available" to seniors and persons with diabilities (in line with 49 CFR 37.167, which requires the notice), but there is no legal requirement for the (non-senior) passenger (without disabilities) to vacate the seat. That being said, it is good practice and good for society to offer these seats to people who need them, when they request for them.

Each B2 car is equipped with four cameras, for safety.

Both the X and Y ends of each car are equipped with an intercom, linking the patron to the train operator. This can be used to contact the operator in an emergency.

Additionally, each car is equipped with two fire extinguishers, and an emergency plank.
Picture
Picture
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Car by Car

All details subject to change due to legacy fleet decommissioning process.

1501-1599

1501 - Oldest car on BART. First B Car, third BART legacy car built, Prototype Car. Frame built 9/1970, delivery 12/1/1970.  Car had a swing in it (public art idea) 11/19/09
1502 - Scrapped. Prototype Car, fifth BART car built. Derailed during testing at Hayward yard, 3/5/71.
1503 - Scrapped. Prototype Car, sixth BART car built.
1504 - First Production Car Car, 11th car built, delivered Feb 8, 72. Board of Directors agreed to preserve this car back in the 1970s. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1505 - Delivered Feb 8, 72, accepted by BART 4/21/1972. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972. Part of the Nixon Trainset.
1509 - BART Jobs Ad wrap
1510 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1513 - Scrapped 2/7/2020
1514 - Scrapped 3/24/2021
1517 - Scrapped
1518 - Scrapped
1519 - Scrapped
1521 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1522 - Scrapped
1523 - Scrapped.
1524 - Bike strap test car. Scrapped
1529 - Scrapped
1532 - Scrapped
1542 - Scrapped 5/28/2021
1544 - Scrapped
1550 - Repaired Y end, left side (yard collision in 2012?)
1551 - White center floor marker. Scrapped
1557 - Stored 2019, scrapped 8/27/2020
1562 - Used in filming of Fruitvale Station
1564 -
Damaged Y end 12/19. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1565 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1566 - Scrapped.
1577 - Zoho One ad wrap 5/22
1582 - BART PD Now Hiring ad wrap
1585 - Scrapped 9/10/2021
1587 - Zoho One ad wrap 5/22
1592 - Scrapped
1593 - Last Car in BART operation to have carpet on 6/9/15
1596 - Former Test Seating Layout car

1600-1699

1602 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1604 - Repaired Y end, from derailment
1605 - Sidelined, but later rebuilt following derailment.
1613 - Scrapped 1/13/2021
1617 - Scrapped
1622 - Scrapped 4/12/2022
1625 - Scrapped
1637 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1648 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1651 - Scrapped
1656 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1659 - Scrapped
1663 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1664 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1665 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1669 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1670 - Scrapped
1680 - Scrapped
1687 - Zenni Ad Wrap, 2021. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1680 - Scrapped 8/7/2021
1690 - Scrapped
1692 - Zoho One ad wrap 5/22
1693 - Scrapped
1694 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1695 - Scrapped.

1700-1774

1700 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1703 - Scrapped
1706 - Former Test Seating Layout car
1708 - Scrapped 7/19/2021
1709 - Scrapped.
1710 - BART Jobs Ad wrap. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1712 - Last rebuilt A/B car as part of the midlife rebuilding.
1717 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1719 - Scrapped 10/15/2021
1728 - Made the local news as "hella old"
1730 - Scrapped
1733 - Scrapped
1737 - Scrapped 7/17/2020
1741 - Scrapped
1752 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1753 - Major damage to X end after Dec 17, 1992 derailment. Scrapped in 2022.
1755 - Scrapped 6/17/2020
1757 - No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1764 - Scrapped
1766 - Scrapped.
1770 - Stored at Hayward yard, scrapped 1/10/2020
1771 - Scrapped
1774 - Zoho One ad wrap 5/22

1801-1899

All these cars were originally built as A cars. For the story on how these came to be, see A to B conversion.
1801 - Ex B car 801, originally built as A car 147. First converted B car. Once a pride of the fleet, and christened with champagne.
1802 - Ex B car 802, originally built as A car 137. Kaiser ad wrap as of 10/22.
1803 - Ex B car 803, originally built as A car 109. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1804 - Ex B car 804, originally built as A car 155.
1805 - Ex B car 805, originally built as A car 183.
1806 - Ex B car 806, originally built as A car 117. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1807 - Ex B car 807, originally built as A car 139.
1808 - Ex B car 808, originally built as A car 240.
1809 - Ex B car 809, originally built as A car 237.
1810 - Ex B car 810, originally built as A car 176. Scrapped 2022.
1811 - Ex B car 811, originally built as A car 159.
1812 - Ex B car 812, originally built as A car 133.
1813 - Ex B car 813, originally built as A car 154.
1814 - Ex B car 814, originally built as A car 169.
1815 - Ex B car 815, originally built as A car 126. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1816 - Ex B car 816, originally built as A car 222.
1817 - Ex B car 817, originally built as A car 166.
1818 - Ex B car 818, originally built as A car 108. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1819 - Ex B car 819, originally built as A car 193.
1820 - Scrapped. Ex B car 820, originally built as A car 138.
1821 - Scrapped. Ex B car 821, originally built as A car 101.
1822 - Ex B car 822, originally built as A car 142.
1823 - Ex B car 823, originally built as A car 146.
1824 - Ex B car 824, originally built as A car 118. Trail Car on the Fremont Flyer. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1825 - Ex B car 825, originally built as A car 224.
1826 - Ex B car 826, originally built as A car 143. Fremont Flyer. Scrapped. See article here.
1827 - Ex B car 827, originally built as A car 216.
1828 - Ex B car 828, originally built as A car 211.
1829 - Ex B car 829, originally built as A car 123. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1830 - Ex B car 830, originally built as A car 221.
1831 - Scrapped. Ex B car 831, originally built as A car 215.
1832 - Scrapped. Ex B car 832, originally built as A car 197. Only surviving car of the ill-fated train of the 1979 Transbay Tube fire.
1833 - Ex B car 833, originally built as A car 131.
1834 - Ex B car 834, originally built as A car 120. President Nixon rode this car 9/1972.
1835 - Ex B car 835, originally built as A car 178. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1836 - Ex B car 836, originally built as A car 246.
1837 - Ex B car 837, originally built as A car 191.
1838 - Ex A car 122.
1839 - Ex A car 190.
1840 - Ex A car 112. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1841 - Ex A car 115. Damaged in Derailment 3/13/11. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1842 - Ex A car 104.
1843 - Ex A car 124. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1844 - Ex A car 119. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1845 - Scrapped. Ex A car 110. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1846 - Ex A car 125.
1847 - Ex A car 128.
1848 - Scrapped. Ex A car 111. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1849 - Ex A car 102. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1850 - Ex A car 209. BARTable Ad wrap
1851 - Ex A car 271. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1852 - Scrapped. Ex A car 106.
1853 - Ex A car 172. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1854 - Ex A car 113. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1855 - Ex A car 114. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1856 - Ex A car 116. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1857 - Ex A car 121.
1858 - Ex A car 127.
1859 - Ex A car 129. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1860 - Scrapped. Ex A car 130.
1861 - Ex A car 135. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1862 - Ex A car 132. Former Test Seating Layout car. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1863 - Scrapped. Ex A car 136. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1864 - Ex A car 140. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1865 - Ex A car 134. In service on Day One, 9/11/1972
1866 - Ex A car 141. Zenni LGBT Ad wrap 5/21
1867 - Ex A car 148.
1868 - Ex A car 144. Derailed May 20, 2017. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1869 - Ex A car 149.
1870 - Scrapped 2021. Ex A car 151.
1871 - Scrapped 2021. Ex A car 145.
1872 - Ex A car 150.
1873 - Ex A car 160.
1874 - Ex A car 165. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1875 - Ex A car 153.
1876 - Ex A car 157.
1877 - Ex A car 156.
1878 - Ex A car 161.
1879 - Ex A car 162.
1880 - Ex A car 163. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1881 - Ex A car 170.
1882 - Ex A car 175. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1883 - Ex A car 158.
1884 - Ex A car 217.
1885 - Ex A car 167.
1886 - Ex A car 168.
1887 - Ex A car 107. Oldest and only (ex) A car prototype (A car 107)
1888 - Ex A car 182.
1889 - Ex A car 171.
1890 - Ex A car 186.
1891 - Ex A car 173.
1892 - Ex A car 185.
1893 - Ex A car 187. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1894 - Ex A car 174.
1895 - Scrapped 2022. Ex A car 177.
1896 - Ex A car 179.
1897 - Ex A car 180. Zoho One ad wrap 5/22
1898 - Ex A car 188.
1899 - Ex A car 192.

1900-1913

All these cars were originally built as A cars. For the story on how these came to be, see A to B conversion.
1900 - Ex A car 199.
1901 - Ex A car 181.
1902 - Scrapped. Ex A car 189.
1903 - Ex A car 194.
1904 - Ex A car 202.
1905 - Scrapped. Ex A car 198.
1906 - Ex A car 200.
1907 - Ex A car 268.
1908 - Ex A car 213.
1909 - Ex A car 196. No longer on roster (scrapped) as of 5/23.
1910 - Ex A car 201. Scrapped.
1911 - Ex A car 207.
1912 - Scrapped. Ex A car 273.
1913 - Ex A car 214.
5/19/22 ATP, 8/27/22, 10/20/22, 11/5/22, 4/23/23, 4/29/23, 5/6/23, 5/16/23, 6/4/23, 6/19/23
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  • History
    • A History of the Legacy Fleet
    • 1962-1971
      • Design
        • Railway Age Weekly 8-2-65
      • Rohr Background on BART Car
    • 1972 - 1982
      • Orders and Deliveries
      • Day One 9-11-1972
      • A to B Conversion
      • Mail on BART
    • 1983 - 1992
      • History in the Making
    • 1993-2002
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      • 1980s
      • 1990s
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    • Car Ads
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      • Orange Line
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      • Golden Gate Bridge
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  • Other BART Things
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