The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s Bombardier fleet has been a backbone of Philadelphia’s regional rail network for decades. These distinctive silver coaches and cab cars have become iconic elements of SEPTA’s passenger service. For train enthusiasts and simulation fans, their recreation in the popular Trainz simulator offers an opportunity to experience these vehicles virtually. This article explores the history and specifications of SEPTA’s Bombardier equipment and how these assets have been adapted for the Trainz platform.
SEPTA’s Bombardier Fleet: A Brief History
In the mid-1980s, SEPTA faced the challenge of modernizing its aging regional rail fleet. The authority turned to Bombardier Transportation, placing an order for 118 coaches and cab cars between 1986 and 1987. These cars, officially designated as Comet II coaches, were based on similar designs used by NJ Transit and Metro-North.
The initial order consisted of 29 cab control cars (numbered 2401-2429) and 89 trailer coaches (numbered 2501-2589). These stainless steel cars featured a distinctive ribbed exterior design, large windows, and an interior layout optimized for commuter service. The cab cars, recognizable by their engineer’s compartment at one end, allowed SEPTA to operate push-pull service without turning locomotives around at terminals.
Technical Specifications
The SEPTA Bombardier coaches measure approximately 85 feet in length and can accommodate around 118 passengers per car. The vehicles feature a 3-2 seating configuration on the lower level and 2-2 seating on the upper level. They include ADA-compliant accessibility features and can reach a top speed of 100 mph, though they are typically operated at lower speeds. The coaches use a 480V AC head-end power system and pneumatic braking systems. They are compatible with SEPTA’s electric AEM-7 and ALP-44 locomotives, as well as diesel power.
The cab cars include full engineer controls, allowing them to lead trains when operating in push mode with the locomotive at the rear of the consist.
The Digital Transition: SEPTA Bombardier in Trainz
For the Trainz simulation platform, the SEPTA Bombardier fleet has been meticulously recreated by various content creators. These digital models allow virtual railroaders to operate authentic Philadelphia regional rail service on their home computers.
Development Process
Creating accurate Trainz versions of these coaches involves several stages. Developers begin with research and documentation, collecting extensive photographs, measurements, and technical specifications of the actual rolling stock. Using this documentation, 3D artists create detailed exterior and interior models, capturing the distinctive ribbed siding, truck details, and control stand layouts.
High-resolution textures are then applied to represent SEPTA’s silver and blue livery, interior upholstery, and weathering effects. Developers program authentic physical properties, including weight, braking characteristics, and acceleration rates to mirror real-world performance. Finally, authentic recordings of door mechanisms, air compressors, and other systems are integrated to enhance immersion.
Available Versions and Features
For Trainz enthusiasts, several versions of the SEPTA Bombardier fleet have been released, offering varying levels of detail and functionality. These include standard coach and cab car models with accurate exteriors and basic interiors, enhanced versions featuring detailed cab controls, functioning doors, and interior lighting, weathered variants representing the equipment at different stages of service life, and era-specific detailing reflecting equipment changes and modifications over decades of service.
Most releases include multiple numbered cars, allowing users to create authentic SEPTA consists with proper car numbers and positioning.
Operating in the Virtual World
Within the Trainz simulation environment, operating these Bombardier coaches offers several authentic experiences. Users can engage in push-pull operations, operating in either push mode (cab car leading) or pull mode (locomotive leading) just like the real railroad. They can make realistic station stops with appropriate dwell times at recreated SEPTA stations along the various regional rail lines.
Virtual engineers have the ability to assemble authentic train consists matching SEPTA’s operational practices. The models are compatible with several Philadelphia-area route packages recreating the Center City tunnel and various SEPTA lines.
Virtual engineers must manage the same operational considerations as their real-world counterparts, including proper braking techniques, speed restrictions, and passenger comfort.
Community and Distribution
The SEPTA Bombardier assets for Trainz are typically distributed through various channels. These include the official Trainz Download Station (TDS), the official repository for user-created content, specialized train simulation sites offering both free and payware versions, and comprehensive releases from dedicated content creators that include multiple cars and variants.
The Trainz community has embraced these assets, incorporating them into scenarios, route packages, and timetabled services that recreate authentic SEPTA operations.
Future Developments
As Trainz simulation technology advances, content creators continue to enhance their SEPTA Bombardier offerings. We can expect more sophisticated handling characteristics reflecting real-world performance data, higher polygon counts and texture resolutions to take advantage of modern hardware, more detailed passenger animations and interactive systems, and comprehensive timetabled services matching SEPTA’s actual schedules.
These ongoing developments ensure that virtual railroaders can continue to enjoy increasingly authentic SEPTA operations in their simulated world.
The SEPTA Bombardier coaches and cab cars represent an important chapter in Philadelphia’s transportation history. Their recreation for the Trainz simulation platform allows enthusiasts to experience these iconic vehicles virtually, preserving their legacy for future generations of rail fans.
Whether you’re a Philadelphia native with fond memories of commuting on these silver coaches or a train simulation enthusiast looking to expand your virtual operations, the SEPTA Bombardier fleet in Trainz offers an engaging and authentic experience. Through the dedication of content creators and the supportive simulation community, these distinctive vehicles continue to serve passengers—albeit virtual ones—long after many of their real-world counterparts have reached retirement.
As simulation technology continues to advance, we can look forward to even more detailed and immersive representations of these iconic SEPTA vehicles, ensuring their place in both transportation history and digital preservation.