Metro has its new 6000 Series rail cars, and its going to be conducting “safety and compatibility” tests in the coming weeks to prepare for their public introduction this spring. Metro has ordered 184 of the new cars, which have four fewer seats and 40 percent more handrails than the current carriages. WMATA officials hope the new arrangement will improve passenger movement and comfort.

Metro will be running the cars between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. According to WMATA, “The test trains will have large big red signs on the side of every other car window that say, ‘Please do not board. We’re testing this new rail car to better serve you.'” There will be a second phase of testing, as well, in which eight car trains consisting entirely of new cars will be run through the system to test “automatic and manual train operations.”

Let us know if you see one of these trains in operation. We’re very curious to know which four seats have been removed, and we’ll give major photo props to anyone who can send us a shot of the “large big red signs.” Seriously, large big props.

Picture taken by techne.