Metra battery trainsets

[MetroShadow]

2 hours ago, snailyards said:

Hi all! This article had a new render of what the Stadler Flirts coming to Metra soon will look like. It’s a nice read, too (for anyone who has a subscription or can bypass the paywall).

Welcome!

It's not a matter of if, but (1) when they're on the property and (2) in testing. Considering 2027 is around the corner, too. 

[snailyards]

Here’s a Stadler-provided data sheet for the Flirts.

fbemu_metra0724en_us.pdf

[snailyards]

Also, according to Twitter/X, the first Flirt has been assembled! It will be shown off at the *APTA expo at McCormick Place.

[snailyards]

Here’s an article containing recent info on the logistics of the Flirts. I’ve listed some quotes that offer a quick summary of the updates:

“Metra put the expected range of a fully charged trainset at 45 to 65 miles. It said a charge from 20% to 80%, enough for the train to operate, should take roughly 20 to 30 minutes.”

“Stadler says the train stores energy in lithium-ion batteries on board, so it can run on non-electrified lines with no local emissions. It can top up from existing 480-volt cabling at yards and terminals or from dedicated chargers. Regenerative braking also returns energy to the batteries.”

”A two-car set will have 112 seats, and every added trailer car about 46 more. Boarding will be at low level, with lifts for ADA compliance.”

And, per Stadler, the expectation that Metra will be running service using the Flirts by 2028 remains. Exciting stuff.

[snailyards]

Also, there was another rendering of the current (and potentially final!) livery. Here’s a before/after of the design. Looking sharp.

[Busjack]

12 minutes ago, snailyards said:

... “Metra put the expected range of a fully charged trainset at 45 to 65 miles. It said a charge from 20% to 80%, enough for the train to operate, should take roughly 20 to 30 minutes.”

“... It can top up from existing 480-volt cabling at yards and terminals or from dedicated chargers.

Since it says the line is 16.4 miles, that would be a 33 mile round trip, so unless the actual range is 70 miles, a charge is good for only one round trip. At the time the solicitation was advertised, there was a tour of the 47th St. Yard, but I don't know what good a charger would do there. I'm also not sure what the 480 volt cabling means--is it the plug-in head end power that Metra uses while trains are parked at the downtown stations? Some prior depictions showed a pantograph on the power unit extending to an overhead charger.

[snailyards]

44 minutes ago, Busjack said:

Since it says the line is 16.4 miles, that would be a 33 mile round trip, so unless the actual range is 70 miles, a charge is good for only one round trip. At the time the solicitation was advertised, there was a tour of the 47th St. Yard, but I don't know what good a charger would do there.

Yep, so they’ll likely just charge the battery pack up between rounds at the termini.

49 minutes ago, Busjack said:

I'm also not sure what the 480 volt cabling means--is it the plug-in head end power that Metra uses while trains are parked at the downtown stations? Some prior depictions showed a pantograph on the power unit extending to an overhead charger.

You’ll have to ask the author or Stadler themselves for specifics, but it sounds to me that it is indeed the existing plug-in power available at yards and terminals. As for the pantograph animation you alluded to, it may have just been a proof of concept. Otherwise, new infrastructure will be required at both LaSalle St. and Blue Island - Vermont St. stations.