Metra put its new remanufactured locomotive, an EMD SD70MACH, on display this week and touted its promised improvements to reliability and efficiency, as well as its expected decreases in emissions and operating costs.
The new locomotive was improved and reconfigured for passenger use with refurbished, upgraded or new components, was painted in heritage Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) colors to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the formation of the RTA. The locomotive, now designated an SD70MACH, was assigned the number 500 in Metra’s locomotive numbering system.
The locomotive debuted this week is one of 15 remanufactured locomotives the Metra Board of Directors agreed to purchase from Progress Rail Locomotives in February 2019 through a $70.9 million contract. The contract includes options to buy up to 27 additional locomotives if Metra is satisfied with their performance and funding is available. The remaining locomotives will be delivered approximately one per month starting in November.
“We are excited to introduce this new locomotive for My Metra riders,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “This locomotive and others to follow will replace some of the oldest locomotives in our fleet, and we would expect to see a significant increase in reliability and decrease in emissions as a result.”
Metra opted to buy remanufactured locomotives instead of new locomotives primarily because it can buy more of them. A greater number of newer locomotives means Metra can replace a greater number of older locomotives and operate a greater number of trains with more reliable locomotives.
One big improvement will be in the traction motors, which deliver the power generated by the diesel engine to the wheels. The remanufactured locomotives have AC traction motors, which are far more durable and reliable than the DC traction motors in Metra’s older locomotives. For example, Metra currently needs to replace about 160 DC traction motors annually. On the self-propelled Metra Electric cars, the oldest of which have had AC traction motors for 14 years, Metra has not had to change a single traction motor.
The remanufactured locomotives have a similar design to Metra’s F59 locomotives, so Metra will be able to use the same parts inventory and won’t need different training and maintenance programs. There will be a 34 percent increase in horsepower. Another major upgrade is a microprocessor-controlled brake system.
The remanufactured locomotives meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 emissions standards. Replacing 42 of Metra’s current locomotives that are rated Tier 0+ with 42 Tier 3 locomotives will eliminate 61 tons of nitrous oxide emissions annually – the equivalent to taking 6,600 cars off the road.
