METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Brookville completes Detroit's QLINE streetcar delivery early

The streetcars have been gradually undergoing testing in preparation for the forthcoming line opening.

April 12, 2017
Brookville completes Detroit's QLINE streetcar delivery early

A BROOKVILLE Liberty Streetcar undergoes testing procedures along Detroit-based M-1 RAIL’s QLINE in early 2017. (Photo Courtesy of M-1 RAIL)

1 min to read


A BROOKVILLE Liberty Streetcar undergoes testing procedures along Detroit-based M-1 RAIL’s QLINE in early 2017. (Photo Courtesy of M-1 RAIL)

Brookville Equipment Corp. delivered its fifth and sixth off-wire capable Liberty Streetcars to Detroit in March, wrapping up vehicle deliveries to the new QLINE streetcar line ahead of contractual delivery dates and prior to the QLINE’s recently announced May 12 start of revenue service.

Throughout the project, Brookville’s deliveries occurred an average of 57 days ahead of their contractual dates, beginning with the pilot vehicle’s arrival in September 2016. Since that time, the streetcars have been gradually undergoing testing in preparation for the forthcoming line opening.

Ad Loading...

Designed and manufactured at Brookville’s Pennsylvania manufacturing plant, the QLINE streetcar vehicles will traverse a 6.6-mile loop on Woodward without the aid of an overhead contact system (OCS) for 60 percent of the route, instead using the Liberty Streetcar’s battery onboard energy storage system (OESS).

Other key features of the 66.5-foot-long, 8-foot, 8-inch-wide vehicles include over 70 percent low-floor area, station-level passenger boarding, and the capability to comfortably transport up to 125 total passengers at a time to key business, shopping, entertainment, and dining centers along the route.

In addition to the M-1 RAIL order, Brookville has delivered Liberty Streetcars to Dallas Area Rapid Transit and is also currently under contract with the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Milwaukee for the production of similar Liberty Streetcar vehicles.

More Rail

An Amtrak Airo trainset on the Cascades line
Rail•by Alex Roman•September 30, 2026

Airo Trains Make Their Amtrak Cascades Debut in the Pacific Northwest

Effective immediately, two cutting-edge Airo trainsets will join the Amtrak Cascades route, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, Oregon, marking the first introduction of Airo trains into passenger service anywhere in the country.

Read More →
Rail•by Alex Roman•September 29, 2026

Florida's Brightline Announces Financial Restructuring

Brightline Florida says train operations will continue as normal as certain parent entities enter Chapter 11 and financial stakeholders provide $490 million in new long-term capital.

Read More →
Bus manufacturing image from ENC
Technology•by Alex Roman•September 25, 2026

ENC Lands MATA Contract and More in Biz Briefs

In this edition of Biz Briefs, we spotlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Turning transit data into better decisions
Management•by Alex Roman•September 23, 2026

Strada360’s Steve Lassey on Turning Transit Data Into Better Decisions

From breaking down data silos to preparing for AI, Strada360 CEO Steve Lassey discusses how transit agencies can use technology to improve operations, customer information, and long-term decision-making.

Read More →
SEPTA Accelerate press conference
Management•by Staff and News Reports•September 23, 2026

SEPTA Details Accelerate Vision for Transit System

The plan outlines investments in trolley modernization, new Metro and Regional Rail vehicles, accessible stations, and more frequent bus and rail service.

Read More →
Two MBTA railcars in station.

FTA Ends Direct Oversight of MBTA Safety Actions

The federal agency closed its remaining special directive to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities following a safety review that began in 2022.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•September 17, 2026

Amtrak, CN Reach Agreements to Strengthen Passenger Rail Service, Safety

The agreement resolves a more than decade-long proceeding before the Surface Transportation Board concerning the terms and conditions for Amtrak services, such as the City of New Orleans, Illini/Saluki, and Wolverine.

Read More →
A New York MTA subway car with an open gangway
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•September 16, 2026

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion

Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.

Read More →
A San Diego MTS Copper Line vehicle
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•September 15, 2026

San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record

Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Rail•by Alex Roman•September 14, 2026

Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges

The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.

Read More →