Metra Electric and South Shore Line action at 18th St

[Megahammerheadshark]

On 0:58 I did not know metra Eletric got new rolling stock! I thought regular metra used the newer rolling stock and Metra electric used the old rolling stock! Awsome video!!!!!

[Nachtwolf1]

@Megahammerheadshark Yes, they got new cars from Nippon-Sharyo, along with the South Shore Line. The original (older) Metra Electric cars were built for the Illinois Central in the early 1970s, and will probably be retired in the next few years. The diesel-powered Metra lines do have newer cars from the mid-2000s, but they have some older cars as well- many were built in the 1970s, and some are as old as the 1950s! (though they've been refurbished).

[JuiceJackNut]

Actually electrics use less energy than diesels and some can put electricity back into the catenary while braking.

[TimeQueenofRome]

The first two trains seem to be pacing each other.

[RailfanDaniel]

Nice video! Thumbs up! Do you like the Electric Multiple Units? I think they look ugly. I think Metra should buy some Bombardier ALP-45DP's for the line. They are dual mode locomotives that can run on overhead wire electricity and diesel. That includes a renovation of the look on the nihon-shayro passenger cars without the pantographs. I think it would look much better.

[kj762aa]

@RailfanDaniel I disagree, while I agree that the Metra Electric content is, rather, ugly, I do believe that alternate MU options are the way to go. I personally prefer MU's to push pull units for commuter trains, especially on the Electric district, where stations are closer together. On diesel lines, it may be beneficial to have vestiges of the F40 and commuter coaches, but as far as braking and acceleration goes, the MU is far superior to the push pull unit (plus with those you need cab cars)

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa EMU's are the way to go? I don't think so. Even a lot of passenger rail companies in Europe doesn't have MU trainsets. They just don't look good, don't make sense and do have their problems. MU type trainsets should only be used in subway systems. For commuter rail, push-pull doesn't really make sense. I believe buying Bombardier electric locomotives for the line would be better. They do have 8000 horsepower and great breaking. The streamlined nose helps with HP from reduced airflow.

[kj762aa]

@RailfanDaniel As far as maintenance is concerned, MU's are all in one, therefore, stocking parts is much easier, as is coupling consists for trains during rush hours. In MU's your cab is also your commuter car, this means, in most cases, you can have an integrated yard which saves space. While dedicated engines may have superior power, they are also much louder. By having power direct from either third rail or catanery, you cut down on excess noise. You can also renovate fleets with ease.

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa You may have to use less parts. Although, it doesn't mean MU's don't have problems. With these cars, less space is needed, that's true. If you look at everything though, locomotives will be more beneficial. A lot less machanical problems. About noise, infact electric locomotives are only slightly louder than these cars themselves. Im not talking about diesel locomotives here. Electric locomotives used on the Northeast Corridor. Have proved a great success. They would on the SSL too.

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa New York City is the most technoligically advanced rail in North America. The LIRR uses push (cabcar) - pull (locomotive) setup. They do have third rail EMU's, although they have a subway design and are used a short distance routes. Same with Metro-North. On long distance routes though, its more realistic to have a locomotive on one end and a non powered cabcar on the other. New Jersey Transit does the same thing, electric locomotive and non powered cabcar. Metra should be advanced too.

[kj762aa]

@RailfanDaniel Metra Electric is, of the surban train lines in Chicago, one with frequent stops and high density service. The practicality exists in MU's that can handle many pax. On longer distance routes, it may be beneficial to have dedicated engines and coaches but take for example NICTD, which has decided to buy new MU's as Metra has. I believe that NICTD is not operating in the interest of its commuter base, and is just playing a game of follow the leader, your point is valid in that case.

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa True. Although, as you can see. These trains here only have 5 to 6 cars. They could be longer you know. Maybe Metra has a restriction against them so that they have to be that short? Electric locomotives are very similar to EMU's. They can start and stop fast. Only they have more horsepower. One single 8000 horsepower electric locomotive can pull 12 coaches at 125mph. Pretty impressive. As for the NICTD, your probably right. I guess they think if Metra goes one way, they should follow?

[kj762aa]

@RailfanDaniel The reason they're so short is because 1. they're double decker, and 2, they draw in too much power. Any long trains will create excessive sparks and arcing from the catanery wires. The most they usualy run is sets of 8 - 9 for packed trains... some days, they'll push 10 cars, and when cars are deadheading, they can run anywhere from 11 to 13.. (odd number cars are just added to the consist so that the cab faces foreward) and the deadheads don't have lighting or air conditioning.

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa Well, then obviously they should have built the catanery wires better in the first place. So they do sometimes push 10 cars then. Ok. Well, to tell you the truth. For the Metra electric line. Considering the line is about 31 miles with 49 stations in between. I'd say it seems necessary to convert to 3rd rail operations and buy M-7 subway type cars that the Long Island Railroad has for very frequent stops.

[RailfanDaniel]

@kj762aa As for the Metra electric's design. They are very unrealistic and ugly, and they don't look state of the art. The lowered height on each end of the passenger car with a pantograph sticking out just looks stupid. Metra may have the highest commuter rail ridership in North America, but they sure don't have state of the art equipment on their electric line. I think they should have equipment that is similar to that is used on Northeast Corridor commuter rail lines. Not EMU's.

[Amtrak1194]

are the new cars just converted nihon-shayro coaches or were they specifically built for the Metra Electric district

[Nachtwolf1]

They were built new by Nippon-Sharyo for the Electric District, and they are somewhat shorter than the coaches for the diesel lines, I believe. Obviously, they have the pantograph equipment as well, and high-level platform boarding. (though there is a small step down to track level, I assume it's for crews, since no Electric District stations are low-level platforms. The South Shore got similar cars as well in '08/'09, though they do have low-level steps for the stations east of Gary.