Metro’s old 1000-series rail cars will eventually be replaced by new 7000-series cars. Photo by ep_jhu

Almost a year after the National Transportation Safety Board scolded WMATA for failing to heed advice to remove its oldest rail cars from service, the transit agency’s board has voted unanimously to approve the purchase of brand new replacement cars.

The new cars, commonly known as the 7000-series, will be manufactured by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. at a cost of $886 million. Metro expects to take delivery on the first batch of vehicles beginning in 2013, with all 428 scheduled to be in service by 2016, following a months-long inspection process for each one.

Approximately 300 of the cars will be used to replace Metro’s oldest 1000-series cars. Shortly after the June 22 Red Line crash, the NTSB blamed at least part of the relatively high death toll on the involvement of a 1000-series rail car in the collision. When the older car struck a newer, more crashworthy car, it crumpled.

The remaining 7000-series cars will go into service as part of Metro’s expansion through the Dulles corridor. The cost of those cars will be shared with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.