Metra F40C 611/614 Status

Great morning(3/5/2010). Had 614 on 2220 and met 611 leading 2207 at A-5. It was cool looking back and seeing the two locomotives passing each other on the Pacific Jct. curve. Wish I had a camera handy.

I saw 614 on a 5:30-ish train tonight. I went downtown to kill some time before attending an event so I took my long walk from Canal crossing through Ogilvie and CUS-North before dining at McCormick & Schmick's amazing happy hour.

For those of you keeping track - 611 was the CUS protector tonight, 3/16.

611 was headed out of CUS this morning(03/17/2010) about 8:20am MU'd in front of a 200. I think it might have been 215 or 216.

Had 611 on 2227 last night (04/15/2010). We passed 2242 at Cicero/Grand being pushed by 614.

Had 611 on 2227 on 04/20/2010.

Had 611 on 2227 on 4/22/2010.

Had 614 on 2227 on 4/30/2010.

Saw 614 on 2709 on 5/1/2010.

611 appeared to join the MP's with mechanical problems today. Train #2240 arrived at Franklin Park alone, but ran into issues and did not depart on its own. 100 came to the rescue after passengers were transferred to the following train.

I saw the 611's inbound at Bensenville, then saw it 20 minutes later broken down at Franklin Park. From what I read on Illinirail, the news on 611 is not good, apparently something went wrong with the main generator and it may cause 611 to be retired...

Here's a shot of 100 coupling to 611 at Franklin Park. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/4580150804/

They oughta just call NRE in Dixmoor and have them yank the generator out of the 610 for a song and a dance ... seems pretty unlikely that unit will leave the property in one piece anyway.

I've been keeping a look out at Western Ave. to see if they put 611 out to pasture. So far, so good. Hopefully its in the shops getting worked on.

byte wrote:They oughta just call NRE in Dixmoor and have them yank the generator out of the 610 for a song and a dance ... seems pretty unlikely that unit will leave the property in one piece anyway.

Whoa, 610 is STILL there? I'm sure there are those among the brass at Metra that fervently hopes 611 has turned its last wheel carrying commuters; but with an ongoing power shortage brought on by a rebuild program that's in full gear, they may have no choice but to revive it with a generator transplant, if that's what it's going to take to get it running again...

doepack wrote:

byte wrote:They oughta just call NRE in Dixmoor and have them yank the generator out of the 610 for a song and a dance ... seems pretty unlikely that unit will leave the property in one piece anyway.

Whoa, 610 is STILL there? I'm sure there are those among the brass at Metra that fervently hopes 611 has turned its last wheel carrying commuters; but with an ongoing power shortage brought on by a rebuild program that's in full gear, they may have no choice but to revive it with a generator transplant, if that's what it's going to take to get it running again...

I drove to NRE last summer and did not see 610 anywhere, at least not intact. There may be parts of her laying about. Besides, wasn't it a main generator fire that took 610 out in the first place?

Wouldn't any alternator from a 645-engined 40-series work?