Dallas Area Rapid Transit contracted the construction of eight new diesel trains to service the future east-west running Cotton Belt line.

Each train will seat 230 passengers and measure 318 feet long, according to an June 3 DART news release. The diesel motors used in the trains meet some of the strictest Environmental Protection Agency emissions regulations for nonroad engines and vehicles.

DART contracted Stadler US to build the eight trains. The trains are Stadler US's Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains, or FLIRTs. Each train will come with four cars.

The 26-mile Cotton Belt line will offer transit from east Plano to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by its expected completion date in 2022. DART expects to begin construction on the line this year.

The rail will run through Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson and Plano.