by byte
I have a few questions that maybe someone could answer. After looking at a Metra car roster (this one: http://hometown.aol.com/metrafan/rosmetra.html), a few things caught my eye, and I can't seem to find an explanation for them. According to that roster, Metra had two ex-C&NW bilevel club cars, #s 7900 and 7901. Since these were the only two club cars on the system, what did they use them for?
Also, how were the ex-RI flat-sided bilevels integrated with the rest of the fleet, and when were they retired? I'd never seen them run on the actual RI district under Metra ownership, so I'm assuming they were sent up to flat-sided territory on the C&NW, but I can't be sure. Also, were the RI bilevels (both flat sided and stainless steel) HEP equipped before the RTA took over, or did that have to be done when they took over commuter operations? (The reason I ask is that the RI's motive power fleet at the time was that handful of ancient cab units, and none of them look like they'd have HEP - especially the E6 630, and there's a picture somewhere out there of it pulling bilevels in the late 70s.)
And finally, what goes on when the shop forces de-activate the cab on a cab car? Do they remove the striping and the cowcatcher, or are the changes all within the cab?
Thanks for your help!
Also, how were the ex-RI flat-sided bilevels integrated with the rest of the fleet, and when were they retired? I'd never seen them run on the actual RI district under Metra ownership, so I'm assuming they were sent up to flat-sided territory on the C&NW, but I can't be sure. Also, were the RI bilevels (both flat sided and stainless steel) HEP equipped before the RTA took over, or did that have to be done when they took over commuter operations? (The reason I ask is that the RI's motive power fleet at the time was that handful of ancient cab units, and none of them look like they'd have HEP - especially the E6 630, and there's a picture somewhere out there of it pulling bilevels in the late 70s.)
And finally, what goes on when the shop forces de-activate the cab on a cab car? Do they remove the striping and the cowcatcher, or are the changes all within the cab?
Thanks for your help!