I don't think Metra would ever buy F59PHI's, because they have HEP generators in the rear of the units; while Metra wants the HEP provided by the main engine. True you could mess around and make an F59 of some king; although I wouldn't be surprised to see an "F70PHAC", or better yet an "F90PHAC". True, I believe there was a reason (Note: I do not really care what it is) why the SD90MAC isn't still produced; ideally it would be a 6000 HP passenger version of a "big mac" with of corse all the passenger modifications, including HEP provided by the engine. But, then we have the problem of Metra going to 710's. I have 2 ideas about this:
1. Metra orders 215 passenger locomotives from someone, they are built with 645's; and what do you know you have MP36's (ossibly) and there problems all over again. They could also get 645's and not attempt to raise the horsepower, leeve it at 3200 HP.
2. Metra buys locomotives with 710's; and when each MP36 is overhalled replace its engine with a 710.
Now on the subject of dreaming, I'd like to see crashworthy 6000 HP GE passenger locomotives...
Metra 613, you wrote: No one will know to Metra puts a bid out. Lets just hope emd gets it and makes a newer F59.So Metra can have something that will run and not brake all the
time like the mps.And to the visibility is horrible on the f59s. Have u ever see how bad the mps are to look out of go to railroad days and see if metra
has on like there had 427 last year.
I've gotta tell ya, Kyle's list was just the beginning; friends at Amtrak say that there are reports of F59PHI's are breaking down all over the place. Good ole EMD modern garbage.