Metra Locomotive Assignments And Maintenance

119 was with 154 on UP-NW #641 on 12/10 and #610 on 12/13
127 (last F40PH) was still in service on UP-NW #635 on 12/14
121 was with 149 on UP-NW #641 on 12/16 and #610 on 12/17

209 which had been roaming around SWS/BNSF has found its way back into the MD pool, currently on Heritage Corridor. This may be a sign that 185 has returned to BNSF. 211 which had been on RI has not been seen in a few weeks... possible 211 has returned to MD as well.

This evening I saw 210 on a UP train. It was the second unit on a train backing into OTC for the evening rush.

The 210 was the trailing unit on UP-NW line train 645 this evening. It should be on 612 or 626 Monday morning.

Engine 210 (trailing 134) made a round trip to Kenosha earlier in the day (1/28), powering trains 325 (arr. Kenosha 2:15 pm) and 344 (arr. Chicago 4:28 pm) respectively.

Interesting to see another F40PHM wind up on the UP. I wonder if once the UP units are done, if they'll all go back to UP or if some will end up going to different lines.

It is reported that a F40PHM led down the Harvard Sub today on Illinirail. Don't units need ATS, which the F40PHMs never had, to run that route and the UP-N? I'm starting to wonder if maybe Metra is starting to install ATS on the F40PHMs?

I think they were always equipped with ATS, they just never had the ATS pickup shoes installed before now.

I saw 210 leading a five car train in Waukegan last night. It was running solo.

The 210 was on a UP North Line train again tonight, this time leading train 345 to Waukegan. Maybe Metra will decide to send more Winnebagos to the UP besides the 210 (assuming that the 185 went back to the BNSF).

I have not seen any sign of the 185 back on the BNSF/SWS yet, it could be down for maintenance.

I'm not sure where 185 is now, but I am 100% sure that it is no longer on the UP system. The UP computer only lists us having 1 F40PHM-2- METX 210.

Maybe it got reassigned to another line again, I haven't seen or heard it on the BNSF or SWS since practically late last year.

EJ&ESDM809 wrote:Maybe it got reassigned to another line again, I haven't seen or heard it on the BNSF or SWS since practically late last year.

185 is leading 189 on SWS this afternoon.

Thanks for the update, Kyle!