There is something oddly calming and uniquely enthralling about taking the Calgary CTrain, the city’s light rail transit system.
If you’ve ever felt a spark between you and a stranger on the CTrain, you know what we’re talking about.
Since it opened in 1981, the CTrain has transformed the landscape of Calgary and provided an accessible, affordable transportation option to countless residents and visitors.
So it was only a matter of time before we got super nostalgic for the light rail vehicle system and its surprisingly recent history of wacky, wonderful and wicked designs.
This official list takes into account whimsical nostalgia while balancing practicality, comfort and memorability.
Join us in a walk through Calgary’s past and let us know which design you miss the most.
The Siemens-Duewag U2
The City of Calgary’s original light rail vehicles (LRV) were shipped in from Germany at a pretty price of just under $434,000 per train car.
They arrived in Calgary in January 1980 and were assembled at the Anderson Garage, which was newly built, and took about three months.
The CTrain officially opened on May 25, 1981, and these reliable metal tanks zooted pedestrians from Anderson to downtown all the way up until 2001.
In fact, there’s still a retired Series 4 vehicle called Scout, the CTrain line inspector in operation today. This timeless, retro design definitely takes the cake for most reliable.
The cars have a classic purple and blue striped design, something that takes us back to the ’88 Winter Olympics almost immediately.
These old LRVs are hard to spot these days, but you may still see one puttering about here and there when newer vehicles are under repair.
The best part of riding in these old trains is the awkward seats that force you to face other passengers while seated on the train.
Although it was a great way to strike up a conversation, we definitely appreciate the personal space available on newer cars.
The Siemens SD-160
The original LRVs made up the CTrain’s entire fleet until July 2001.
They were replaced by the arrival of the new Siemens SD-160 cars, which were sleek, stylish and flanked with a brand-new red and white design.
Many of the Series 6 and 7 vehicles still had the original blue and purple striped design, so they had to be updated with the red and white wave pattern that you can see on the cars today.
Later, the Series 8 cars were designed for the City of Edmonton, but adapted for Calgary. They were the first LRVs to have onboard safety cameras — a feature we’re eternally grateful for, and that still keeps us safe today.
The Series 8 four-car CTrain service was launched in 2008, allowing 200 extra passengers to step onboard the train.
The “old-new” cars are a favourite amongst Calgarians who moved to the city in the early 2000s, though the grey leather seating has usually seen better days.
The Siemens S200
In 2016, Calgary Transit received a new fleet of LRV vehicles, and residents were asked to help choose its design.
Calgarians voted for three options: The Mask, The Bow, or The Buffalo, and the winner was selected in a city-wide vote.
Calgary, naturally, chose The Mask, inspired by a goalie mask worn by their favourite NHL team.
The improved S200 vehicles are for the fanciest commuters among us: they have heated floors, onboard digital displays and air conditioning.
The doors of the S200 also lit up for the first time, allowing residents to see the entrance to the train more clearly, no matter the time of day.
Also in 2016, the city of Calgary officially retired the first LRV, car number 2001 (RIP).
These new vehicles are fun to look out of, and have a futuristic, bubble-like design that makes riding the train feel even less like a chore.
But. Calgarians do complain about the train’s lack of seating, as the design opted for standing and leaning style options instead of the classic bus bench.
Coming in 2027: the CAF Urbos 100
In 2019, the Green Line began the process of procuring a new fleet of LRVs.
The Urbos 100 LRvs are expected to arrive in 2027, and we’re stoked about some of the details.
The most significant change is the lowered floors, which are only 33 cm from the tracks as opposed to the current 98 cm.
Low-floor LRVs enhance accessibility and pedestrian safety by lowering platforms and allowing for simpler station designs that are easier to access.
That means fewer slips, trips and falls, especially for senior citizens during Calgary’s long winter months.
The Urbos 100 will operate on two-car trains along the Green Line.
Plus, with an incoming transit system linking Calgary and Edmonton in under 45 minutes, the new LRV’s futuristic design will fit well into Alberta’s increasingly accessible and transportable cityscape.
We can’t wait to see what the future of the Calgary CTrain has in store!
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Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, their dogs Bandit and Stanley, and walks along the Bow River.
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