Eric95 Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 4 hours ago, Busjack said: This isn't a WSMTD car (which was my point about the car being Metra property). From the inventory @andrethebusman posted, there no longer is WSMTD property. I don't know where BNSF and SWS maintenance are done, but Metra Milw and UP work appear to be done at the same Metra shop at Western Ave. Correct on the car - if it follows the other couple that are floating around, it will probably head back to Western Ave and eventually cycle into the Milw/NCS pool. As for the equipment shops, here's how I believe it works: All currently in-service equipment is OWNED by Metra, but is MAINTAINED by either Metra, BNSF, or UP. Equipment in the BNSF/SWS pool is operated and maintained by BNSF, whose yard and shops are just south of Union Station (it's the old CB&Q Zephyr Pit). Equipment in the Milw/NCS and HC pools are maintained by Metra at Western Ave (assuming previously a Milwaukee Road facility but don't know for sure). If you see a trainset oriented "backwards" north of Union Station, it's a HC trainset heading to or from Western Ave. Equipment in UP pool is operated and maintained by UP, at the California Ave coach yard and M19A shops (old C&NW facility) The UP and Milw yards & shops are very near each other, but only coincidentally so; they're not actually connected. They're both located just west of Tower A2. The Milwaukee mains separate the UP yard and shops (California Ave/M19A; between the UP and Milw mains) from the Milwaukee yard and shops (north of the Milwaukee mains). The division is clearly visible in this view: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8906339,-87.695674,16.22z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric95 Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 For this specific car and why it was near Roosevelt Rd, I'm assuming it was just in transit. KYD is the last shop on the system that can still do paint for the Pullmans since they were still painting the old Highliners until just recently (California Ave hasn't had to since the last Pullmans were originally retired circa 2005), and all of the Pullmans that have come back that need any more than touch-up work have been sent to and from KYD for paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 55 minutes ago, Eric95 said: The Milwaukee mains separate the UP yard and shops (California Ave/M19A; between the UP and Milw mains) from the Milwaukee yard and shops (north of the Milwaukee mains). I knew (from riding the Milw N) that the yards were separate, but wasn't sure about the shops. The Milw building is SO big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Downtown Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 What's strange is that the paint job isn't completely done on this car, as you can see in the photo. There's still masking tape visible, coverings on the windows, and other details unfinished. Why bring this one not-ready-for-prime-time car all the way north from Kensington and park it on a Burlington yard lead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 7664 on SWS: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric95 Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 2 hours ago, Pace831 said: 7664 on SWS: I think that's a first... Also, thanks to this info and observations I made today, I can give a complete profile on the rest of this group: - 7659, 7661, VRE V425 (7663), VRE V412 (7675), VRE V429 (7653) - coupled together in Western Ave, somewhat hidden behind a line of retired Highliners; 7659 and 7661 have the new paint. - VRE V422 (7657) - also at Western, coupled behind 611 and 614 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 8 hours ago, Eric95 said: I think that's a first... I saw two Pullmans on a SWS train once, I think in 2012. They were apparently just loaners because they were only on the train for one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 11 hours ago, Pace831 said: 7664 on SWS: Shows why the new design doesn't work on the cars. Besides that the upsweep should be on the end, the orange and maroon stripes don't line up with those on the locomotive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 1 hour ago, Busjack said: Shows why the new design doesn't work on the cars. Besides that the upsweep should be on the end, the orange and maroon stripes don't line up with those on the locomotive. I actually didn't think it looked too bad in person, maybe because of the shiny new paint. But looking at the pictures brings me back to my original post on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strictures Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 6 hours ago, Busjack said: Shows why the new design doesn't work on the cars. Besides that the upsweep should be on the end, the orange and maroon stripes don't line up with those on the locomotive. Maybe some alleged genius at Metra thinks that the passengers are stupid & need a way to find the center of the coaches, where the doors are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 26, 2018 Report Share Posted May 26, 2018 3 hours ago, strictures said: Maybe some alleged genius at Metra thinks that the passengers are stupid & need a way to find the center of the coaches, where the doors are? My surmise is that it would then point down. My theory is that from day one, Metra has been concerned with branding and has not been good at it. And I don't think branding counts for much on maybe a dozen cars when customers have little choice and only care about getting a seat. As @Pace831 indicted, being shiny may be sufficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richii0909 Posted May 28, 2018 Report Share Posted May 28, 2018 On 5/25/2018 at 11:37 PM, Eric95 said: I think that's a first... Also, thanks to this info and observations I made today, I can give a complete profile on the rest of this group: - 7659, 7661, VRE V425 (7663), VRE V412 (7675), VRE V429 (7653) - coupled together in Western Ave, somewhat hidden behind a line of retired Highliners; 7659 and 7661 have the new paint. - VRE V422 (7657) - also at Western, coupled behind 611 and 614 Hmmm you mentioned the F40c's this is interesting. It would be nice if metra could get these rehabbed and back into full service. I always liked them because they were unique in many ways. Anyways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 29, 2018 Report Share Posted May 29, 2018 When I went by on Monday (Memorial Day, so no train service), 7664 was in the same position that I photographed it on Friday. This morning (Tuesday) it had been left in the yard by itself, the doors were open and they were working on it. I have never seen a single car set out at this location so I guess a mechanical problem must have been discovered before the train left in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 7664 was put back on the train for Wednesday morning's rush hour. During the day it was exchanged for another car, so I'm not sure where it is now or if they fixed the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr walker Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Spoiler what car did 7664 replace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, mr walker said: Reveal hidden contents what car did 7664 replace Metra is short. It wouldn't replace a 15 year old car with a 65 or so year old one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 3 hours ago, Busjack said: Metra is short. It wouldn't replace a 15 year old car with a 65 or so year old one I think he meant "what car was on the train set previously", but I don't know the answer. I can try to see what is there now if I go past there before it gets dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 On 5/17/2018 at 1:26 PM, strictures said: It wasn't a cab car, it was the second car behind the engine. I rode it on Tuesday. It also didn't have the old flip over C&NW seats that had a metal back & upholstery on just one side, but the current seats that just flip back & forth with upholstery on both sides. I just don't get why Metra didn't totally sand down & completely eliminate the VRE number which was at the coach end & not near the doors like Metra does it. As I understand it, some of those cars are not being painted, but wrapped (similar to what Pace did with the Nabis). If you saw a VRE number showing through, that is probably why. Also, they are not being repaired for service real well as there are many with roof leaks and a/c that doesn't work. Don't run too fast to sit in them on a hot day. I will agree, this color scheme is horrible on these coaches. But that is what the geniuses in the ivory tower like, so that is what it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted June 7, 2018 Report Share Posted June 7, 2018 On 5/31/2018 at 12:15 AM, Pace831 said: 7664 was put back on the train for Wednesday morning's rush hour. During the day it was exchanged for another car, so I'm not sure where it is now or if they fixed the problem. Still on the SWS, but moved to the 8 car set at 179th (previously was on the 5 car set). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr welsh Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 when was metra rail 7810 put back into service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busfan2847 Posted November 25, 2018 Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 4 hours ago, mr welsh said: when was metra rail 7810 put back into service The first date I saw it in service was 11/11/2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric95 Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 20 hours ago, busfan2847 said: The first date I saw it in service was 11/11/2011 That would make sense - 7810 came back from Utah circa 2009, and it took them a couple of years to get all of those cars into service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Anyone know about some abandoned Metra/exCNW bi levels in Benenville?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pace831 Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 2 hours ago, CTA5750 said: Anyone know about some abandoned Metra/exCNW bi levels in Benenville?? Yes, those are the MTDX cars discussed here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 9, 2020 Report Share Posted September 9, 2020 18 hours ago, Pace831 said: Yes, those are the MTDX cars discussed here. Awesome! Thank you for the info!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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