SNEAK PEEK AT THE RED LINE; NEW SUBWAY PULLING OUT.

Byline: Michael Coit Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Silver subway trains zipped from the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood on Tuesday at speeds that would be the envy of commuters stuck in traffic above in the rain-slickened Cahuenga Pass.

The four-car trains cruised between three new Metro Red Line stations at about 50 mph and reached 70 mph through the Santa Monica Mountains, making the 6.3-mile trip in about 10 minutes.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is testing trains and systems on the North Hollywood leg of the Metro Red Line as the agency prepares to open the line, linking the San Fernando Valley to Hollywood and downtown, as soon as June.

Two Valley stations - one at Lankershim and Chandler boulevards in North Hollywood and one at Universal City - are being completed, with a third also set to open at Hollywood and Highland boulevards.

``It's a critical connection,'' said Charles Stark, the agency's executive officer for construction. ``We consider it the jewel of the system at this point.''

The $1.3 billion project is on budget and expected to open six months ahead of the December opening required by the federal government, which is paying half the cost. State and local funds pay the other half, MTA officials said.

The Metro Red Line has been dogged by financial problems and workplace safety violations.

But the MTA was proud to show off the newest and final subway leg during a tour and test run.

The new segment will extend the Metro Red Line a total of 17.4 miles from Union Station downtown.

``She's running real well. We will be able to get you downtown in less than 30 minutes,'' said Jess Diaz, the agency's rail transportation superintendent.

Testing centers on the third rai,l which carries the electric current powering the trains and the ``third rail shoe'' on each rail car that draws current from the rail. Ventilation, emergency and other systems also are tested.

The testing began three months ago and is expected to be done by April. Then the MTA will run a normal schedule of trains, which is about 18 hours a day, without riders until the service opens to the public, said Marc Littman, an MTA spokesman.

Four-car trains that carry 600 to 700 passengers will be used until ridership increases; then, six-car trains carrying 1,000 passengers will be used.

MTA officials did not make a ridership projection for the North Hollywood leg.

But they said the additional service will be a major factor in boosting overall ridership on MTA trains from 145,000 average weekday boardings now to 200,000 sometime between the summers of 2001 and 2002. The transit agency also operates the above-ground, 22-mile Metro Blue Line from Long Beach to downtown and the 20-mile Metro Green Line from Norwalk to El Segundo.

``It won't happen overnight,'' Stark acknowledged. ``It takes time for people to find out about it and work it into their schedules.''

The three new stations will bring to 16 the number of Metro Red Line stations.

North Hollywood's station features a ``California Dream'' theme with lemon yellow, lime green and bright orange colors. Three colorful arched canopies span the entrance that leads down to the boarding areas 65 feet underground.

On the station walls, 14 tile murals feature Valley scenes such as the citrus and peach industries that once thrived in the area, and historic figures including aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

The Universal City station will feature a historic time line of key dates and events in the Valley's past. Stylized trees on the station platform will provide a dramatic canopy over the space.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) MTA officials look over the tile art in the new North Hollywood metro station.

(2 -- color) An MTA train leaves the station bound for Hollywood.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

(3) The entrance to the new North Hollywood station features arches and curved surfaces.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer