No, those aren’t the opening sequences of the 1990s crime thriller classic “Heat.” They’re social media promo clips for MARTA’s sleek new railcars. 

As 2025 concludes, MARTA has been running CQ400 test trains across the transit system—and releasing teaser footage of these state-of-the-art beauties whirring through Atlanta cityscapes. 

The fourth “train set” built by Switzerland-based Stadler was delivered and unloaded in Atlanta last week, allowing for testing by ICEO Hunt, Team MARTA, and Stadler to roll out. According to MARTA, the first CQ400 car is scheduled to start service in the city either late this month or in early 2026. The rest of the fleet will be phased in—a process expected to take several years. 

The CQ400 railcars will be the first models of their kind to operate in the U.S.

The lighted "smile" on new CQ400 models indicates which color MARTA train line is approaching. via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

MARTA had previously said the first CQ400 railcar would be in operation on tracks around Atlanta in July, but that didn’t happen. A headline-grabbing unveiling was held near MARTA headquarters at Lindbergh Center station in January. 

Beyond cutting-edge aesthetics, the new CQ400 trains will have a number of functionality upgrades. Each will be a four-car set with open gangways in between, allowing MARTA riders to pass between more than one car at once. That will make inter-car movement for passengers and security staff easier, per the agency. 

According to MARTA, the front exterior of each railcar will have a lighted “smile” in either red, gold, blue, or green that denotes the color of each approaching rail line.

via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

Inside the open-gangway new test train in action recently. via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

Inside the trains, charging stations, digital maps, computerized service information, and forward and inward-facing seats are also included. One goal is to provide more room for bikes, strollers, luggage, and people in wheelchairs, MARTA officials have said.  

Some of MARTA’s current 300 railcars date back to the system’s debut in the 1970s. 

MARTA entered a contract in 2019 to purchase $646 million worth of modernized new railcars from Stadler—funded via MARTA’s capital improvement program—marking the largest procurement deal ever for both the veteran train builder and transit agency.

via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

via MARTA (@MARTAtransit)/Hardman Creative

In related news, MARTA is also planning to roll out its redesigned bus system, the NextGen Bus Network, on April 18 next year. It’s described as being smarter, faster, and better—and the first major overhaul to MARTA’s bus network since the 1970s.

Find more details and an updated bus map here. 

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