Hitachi Rail launches new Baltimore Metro cars, modernizing 40-year-old system
Hitachi Rail has marked the official start of revenue service for its new metro cars on the Baltimore Metro Subway Link, a major upgrade for the city’s heavy rail system. Originally contracted in 2017, the project replaces and modernizes rolling stock and rail control systems that had been in place since 1983. The launch also highlights the first full production project completed at Hitachi Rail’s new Hagerstown, Maryland factory.
The $100 million, 307,000 ft² facility, officially opened in September 2025, assembles a significant portion of the fleet and is designed to produce up to 20 railcars per month. Once fully operational, it will employ 460 staff on-site. The factory is carbon-neutral and incorporates advanced digital manufacturing systems, including real-time supply chain monitoring, 3D-printed local components, additive manufacturing for spares and tooling, and end-to-end quality transparency.
Investment in digital enhancements totals over $30 million, reflecting Hitachi Rail’s focus on high-quality production and customer value creation. The combination of cutting-edge manufacturing and SelTrac technology integration ensures the new fleet will enhance reliability, efficiency, and comfort for thousands of daily commuters between Owings Mills, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and downtown Baltimore.
Joseph Pozza, President of Hitachi Rail in the United States, said:
“The beginning of revenue service marks a historic moment in transit for both Baltimore and the state of Maryland – upgrading the city’s 40-year-old fleet and rail control systems with Hitachi Rail’s advanced SelTrac technology. Which will help to deliver modern and sustainable railcars that will meet passenger needs for decades to come. Our partnership with MTA and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) demonstrates Hitachi’s long-term dedication to transforming urban mobility in the U.S."
Giampaolo Nuonno, General Manager Vehicles SDS, North America, added:
“These new trains aren’t just about modernizing equipment—they represent a leap forward in service reliability, efficiency, and passenger experience for the thousands traveling between Owings Mills, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and downtown Baltimore each day.”
Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Kathryn Thomson said:
“These new railcars represent an important step forward for riders and our region. This is far more than a fleet replacement – it is a generational investment in creating a modern, reliable and safe transportation network.”
MTA Administrator Holly Arnold added:
“Our riders and our region deserve a strong, modern transit system. By investing in new, state-of-the-art railcars, we are connecting communities and delivering on our promise to provide fast, reliable, and safe transit service.”
The full rollout of the remaining metro cars is on track, ensuring seamless integration with existing services and marking a new era of modernized transit for Baltimore’s subway system.
Image: Hitachi Rail