Metra Locomotive Assignment And Maintenance Changes

[doepack]

Did 1292 make a stop on the other (outbound) side so that 1288's passengers could board? That would've worked pretty well, since there's a pedestrian tunnel underneath the mains there...

[MetraBNSF]

#1292 did stop on the north platform (I have video filmed). Prior to coming into Lisle the train was held at the Yackley Ave (Lisle) crossovers for outbounds #1279 through #1373 to clear. I believe outbound trains #1265 and #1275 which both terminate at Fairview Ave were turned into "ad-hoc" locals to accomodate those passengers from Downers Grove and points east.

I believe Metra/BNSF handled this situation as well as it could and this was also a situation where the double header came in handy since the spare engine, in this case 196 was already at Hill Yard and was run light to the disabled train in Lisle. There were also one or two mechanical crew members on site as well, one of which that got off a train mentioned above.

[doepack]

#1292 did stop on the north platform (I have video filmed). Prior to coming into Lisle the train was held at the Yackley Ave (Lisle) crossovers for outbounds #1279 through #1373 to clear. I believe outbound trains #1265 and #1275 which both terminate at Fairview Ave were turned into "ad-hoc" locals to accomodate those passengers from Downers Grove and points east.

1292 got spiked by four westbounds? For an already delayed train, that's about another half-hour wait. Do you know if 1292's cab would have been able to fit on the far west end of the Lisle platform, so that 1288's passengers could board? Then 1292 could have reversed past the plant, then headed east around 1288, which might have been faster...

[MetraBNSF]

I think BNSF was justified in clearing out the westbound traffic past Lisle before sending #1292 through the interlocking. #1279, #1283, and #1373 were already running late, I know #1279 was already about 20 minutes down. #1292's cab and maybe the first car behind it could have fit on the far west end of the platform behind the disabled #1288. I guess BNSF wanted to clear out the westbound traffic so there was a big enough window to send #1292 on track 1 between Lisle and Downers Grove.

[MetraBNSF]

Two days after HEP failed on METX194 its continued to be paired with METX196, which was the locomotive that was brought from Hill Yard to rescue 194. This double header was on BNSF train #1251.

[MetraBNSF]

A little over a week after METX194 suffered a HEP failure, it continues to be paired with 196. I wonder if there's any logic as to why the failed engine continues to be paired up with the working one?

[MetraBNSF]

Not sure of the actual units but an F40PHM-2 failed on BNSF train #1253 this evening at CUS and an MP36 was attached to the F40. For once an MP36 is used to save the day

[doepack]

Not sure of the actual units but an F40PHM-2 failed on BNSF train #1253 this evening at CUS and an MP36 was attached to the F40. For once an MP36 is used to save the day

Hey man, don't come in here with that, stories like this are strictly forbidden! Don't you realize that the MP's are a pile of junk? What are you trying to do, enhance their reputation or something? Stop it, and don't do it again!!

[F40CFan]

Not sure of the actual units but an F40PHM-2 failed on BNSF train #1253 this evening at CUS and an MP36 was attached to the F40. For once an MP36 is used to save the day

As the saying goes; even a blind squirrel will eventually find a nut.

[MetraBNSF]

A little over a week after METX194 suffered a HEP failure, it continues to be paired with 196.

As of today 194 was back to running alone.

[Illinifan]

Engine 126 has moved from the UP to the Milw/NCS to for the time being. I spotted it on a four car train at the Western Ave. coach facility this evening. Engine 125 came over to the Milw/NCS in November/December 2008.

[metraRI]

180 has made the move from RI over to HC/The MD pool, most likely another after effect from the rebuild project.

[UKrailfan]

I am in the process of planning my next visit to Chicago and could do with an update on locomotive allocations. I am looking in particular for updates on the following: (I have put what I understand the current situation to be after the locomotive number.)

127 Union Pacific (reported as being on track 5 at CUS in late January. Has this one moved along with 125 & 126?)
128 Union Pacific
132 Union Pacific
140 Union Pacific
147 Union Pacific
148 Union Pacific
155 Union Pacific
157 Union Pacific
159 Union Pacific
160 Union Pacific
163 Union Pacific
169 Union Pacific
180 Rock Island (reported as moved to MWD/NCS/HC pool)
183 Rock Island
184 BNSF/SWS

Any reports confirming the above would be welcomed.

UKrailfan

[Illinifan]

I believe all of the units between 128-178 are still operating on the UP lines (the 179 moved to Rock Island District two years ago.) Back in January, the 183 was reported to have moved to Milwaukee District/NCS/HC pool (I am not sure of the current location of this unit.) I spotted engine 184 on the SWS last week.

[MetraBNSF]

Saw 180 on HC train 917 on Friday 3-13-09 at Joliet. I didn't know that a 6 car set was used for this run.