C3 (railcar)

The C3 is a bi-level coach railroad car built by Kawasaki. These cars began delivery in 1997, ordered by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Long Island Rail Road. The rail cars are pulled and pushed by EMD DE30AC and EMD DM30AC over both electrified and non-electrified territory.[3]

C3
C3 cab car #5019 trailing at Mineola
In service	1998–present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc.[1]
Replaced	all C1 bi-levels and MP75 single-levels
Constructed	1997–1999
Entered service	Fall 1998
Number built	134 cars C car with toilet, 23 T cars (no toilets), 67 TT car with toilet, 44
Fleet numbers	C car, 5001–5023 T car, 4002–4134 (even numbers) TT car, 4001–4087 (odd numbers)
Capacity	Seated passengers[1][2] C car, 137 T car, 143 TT car 137
Operator(s)	Long Island Rail Road
Line(s) served	Ronkonkoma Branch Port Jefferson Branch Oyster Bay Branch Montauk Branch
Specifications
Car length	85 ft 0 in (25,910 mm)
Width	9 ft 10.5 in (3,010 mm)
Height	14 ft 5.59 in (4,409 mm)
Maximum speed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Weight	C Car, 148,771 lb (67,481 kg) T Car, 141,375 lb (64,127 kg) TT Car, 144,338 lb (65,471 kg)
Power supply	480 V AC 60 Hz
Coupling system	Type H tightlock knuckle coupler

The C3 cars are powered by 480 V AC Head End Power (HEP) supplied from the locomotive through four train lines. The 480 VAC HEP is supplied to the HVAC system, low-voltage power supply, and 240 V AC single-phase transformer, and the 120 V AC three-phase transformer. The low-voltage power supply provides 74 V DC power for the doors, communications, toilet, and control circuits.[2][3]

There are three types of C3 cars: cab car with toilet (C Car), trailer car (T Car), and trailer car with toilet (TT car). The C car is normally at the opposite end of a consist from the locomotive. The T and TT cars are always between two locomotives or between a locomotive and a C car. The C3 cars can be operated at speeds of up to 100 mph in the push and/or pull operation. All cars within a consist must be facing the same direction.[1][2][3]

The cars are connected to one another by a mechanical type H tightlock knuckle coupler. All trainlined electrical connections between the cars are made through six trainline jumper cables. Air connections between the cars are made through two air hoses, brake pipe, and main reservoir.[2] [3]

The C3s are the first trains on the LIRR to feature automated announcements with LED destination sign displays, announcing the current station, following station, and destination along the routes. However, over the years of service, the components often fell into disrepair, consequently requiring the train crew to make announcements.