Zero Emissions Locomotives

[BusHunter]

The board on thursday approved this so I guess not only are they getting new cars they are getting new locos. 

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/metra-purchase-7-new-low-zero-emission-locomotives?fbclid=IwAR0fbG-cvfo1svH6u870SWl0k3aTcna_glKQJaeaIPNukzRev62tuLaP0k8

Edited March 3 by MetroShadow
Latest update with Busjack’s post…

[stormykara]

Sucks they're only switchers, but it's better than nothing I suppose!

[artthouwill]

On 2/20/2021 at 7:30 PM, BusHunter said:

The board on thursday approved this so I guess not only are they getting new cars they are getting new locos. 

https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/metra-purchase-7-new-low-zero-emission-locomotives?fbclid=IwAR0fbG-cvfo1svH6u870SWl0k3aTcna_glKQJaeaIPNukzRev62tuLaP0k8

We're so focused on new CTA and Pace vehicles, we don't know when to expect the new Metra cars and locks.  I would imagine the locos would start arriving first but I'm interested in the rail cars.

[BusHunter]

On 5/2/2022 at 8:51 AM, artthouwill said:

We're so focused on new CTA and Pace vehicles, we don't know when to expect the new Metra cars and locks.  I would imagine the locos would start arriving first but I'm interested in the rail cars.

Well there are 15 repurposed locos that are coming Metras way (was supposed to be this spring) 

Plus the Metra board approved the re engineering of 3 diesel locos to run on battery power. Sounds like they want to put them on the Rock Island. 

So if we think Metra is not doing anything as far as cleaning up the air and forwarding technology, we would be wrong!! Lol!!

https://www.railwayage.com/news/metra-eyes-green-power/

[strictures]

6 hours ago, BusHunter said:

 

Plus the Metra board approved the re engineering of 3 diesel locos to run on battery power. Sounds like they want to put them on the Rock Island. 

So if we think Metra is not doing anything as far as cleaning up the air and forwarding technology, we would be wrong!! Lol!!

https://www.railwayage.com/news/metra-eyes-green-power/

I thought Metra was going to put the Rock island under wire, like the IC?

[artthouwill]

7 hours ago, strictures said:

I thought Metra was going to put the Rock island under wire, like the IC?

I haven't heard that other than maybe someone suggested that on this forum.  I suppose it they actually did that, they would also have to electrify SWS since there are plans to reroute those trains from Union Station to LaSalle Station.

[Busjack]

15 hours ago, strictures said:

I thought Metra was going to put the Rock island under wire, like the IC?

 

8 hours ago, artthouwill said:

I haven't heard that other than maybe someone suggested that on this forum.  I suppose it they actually did that, they would also have to electrify SWS since there are plans to reroute those trains from Union Station to LaSalle Station.

The discussion was here. The ultimate source seems to be Trains Magazine, but it was characterized as "The Big Ask," and at the time we thought it was unrealistic. No mention in the 2022 capital plan.

[Busjack]

I came across a YouTube video,which says, starting here, that Metra is scrapping plans to convert diesel locomotives to battery, and instead is soliciting proposals for new battery locomotives to pull bi-level coaches on the Rock Island. Presumably, this would make the Rock basically electric,with Stadler FLIRTs on the Beverly branch and these on the mainline.

The Metra request for proposal is here.

[Sam92]

20 hours ago, Busjack said:

I came across a YouTube video,which says, starting here, that Metra is scrapping plans to convert diesel locomotives to battery, and instead is soliciting proposals for new battery locomotives to pull bi-level coaches on the Rock Island. Presumably, this would make the Rock basically electric,with Stadler FLIRTs on the Beverly branch and these on the mainline.

The Metra request for proposal is here.

Are the Beverly and Joliet runs 2 separate lines at this point? I'd think since it was all RI the equipment would show up on both especially to keep things flexible 

[Elkmn]

On 3/3/2026 at 3:56 PM, Sam92 said:

Are the Beverly and Joliet runs 2 separate lines at this point? I'd think since it was all RI the equipment would show up on both especially to keep things flexible 

besides a few rush-hour thru runs over the Beverly to Joliet they are functionally and operationally different lines.