I once read that the NICTD EMUs are capable of regenerative braking, but that energy is dissipated as heat much the same way a diesel does, because the substations cannot handle the backfeed of current. Is this true? What does it take to upgrade the substations to handle such operation? And does this really contribute to lowering the power bill? I know the MILW took good advantage of regenerative braking out west to contribute power to their system from downhill trains. Similarly, the stop/go nature of commuter indicates to me that such would be useful to NICTD and Metra Electric.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
The new Acela: It's not Aveliable.