I have to admit, it kind of bothers me that the M8 railcars are not built in the USA, but I have to hand it to the Japanese, they make damn good trains (note to Japan: please send the ‘bullet’ ones next time).

I stumbled across these pictures of the Kawasaki factory in Japan where the cars are being built, and though you might enjoy them.

This photo is especially interesting. It shows the interior of one of the cars under construction. As there are two rows of 3-seaters, it is unlikely that this is the interior prototype which has been touring - it must be a production car.

It seems to me that the red seats have already been built and are actively being installed on the trains - which means despite the MTA’s request for comments to make final changes to the interior, I seriously doubt they will able to do much about the seats, including the color, which has probably been the most controversial feature from the people I have spoken with who have seen the prototype.

I guess as far as MTA is concerned, you can have any color you want as long as its red.