Bombardier BiLevel Coaches

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The bilevel coaches and cab cars were originally built by Hawker-Siddeley in Thunder Bay, Ontario first entered service in 1976. They were designed for the Government of Ontario Transit, now Canada’s largest passenger rail carrier, by both miles of track owned and ridership. The bilevel coaches are easily identifiable by their tapered ends. There are a total of 7 series of the bilevel coaches built to date. Series 1 through 5 were built by Hawker-Siddeley and UTDC with riveted alumni body on steel frame, while the Bombardier Series 6 and 7 featured welded alumni body.

GO Train on the Lake Shore West Line in Sunnyside, Toronto
GO Train at Exhibition Station on the Lake Shore West Line
Soon after its introduction, the bilevel car became the standard equipment for many commuter railroads across North America. Today, 13 commuter railroads in 7 States and 3 Provinces operate a total of 1,038 bilevel coaches and cab cars, of which GO Transit owns 490. The bilevel coaches seat between 136 and 162 depending on configuration and are designed to carry up to 360 passengers per car. They each have a washroom on board and some of the newer cars are also equipped with AC outlets.

Interior of the GO Transit BiLevel Coach
Eastbound GO Train accelerates out of Whitby Station on the Lake Shore East Line

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