Chicago area new Metra Unit?

[Anonymous]

Any one from the Chicagoland area seen this new locomotive unit Metra is running?

Does anyone no the name or model name and or number?...or any info on it?

or were I might find it in "N"scale??????????????????

[AltonFan]

Do you have a picture or web link to it?

[kwboehm]

It's a MP36PH-3S...have a picture of it here http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=36427

[AltonFan]

I don't think I've seen this engine on the Northwest Line or the former Wisconsin Central lines yet. I've only seen the other unit with it on the former Milwaukee Road line.

I haven't heard that there's an N scale model of it either.

I do think I might have seen a F40PH rebuilt with a similar cab once or twice. But it looked more like an F40PH than one of these engines. I'm sure we'll see more of it in the future.

[kwboehm]

When they retired the E8/9's on the Burlington Northern line they were replaced with F40PHM-2's Here's another link...are these what you were thinking of?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=37434

I'd like to find info on modeling one of the ex-MILW / NWSMTD F40C's in HO scale, if anyone has info. I can find plenty of pics, just no info as far as specs and the sort.

[Anonymous]

The New Unit is a MP36PH-3S, built by Motive Power International (MPI), a Wabtec Company. The Unit is very similar to the MP36PH-3C's built for CalTrain for their "Baby Bullet" Service. MPI calls these Locomotives "MPXpress, The Next Generation of Commuter Locomotives" They have 3,600HP CAT Diesel-Electric Engines. I have a brochure from MPI on these Locomotives, so that is how I know this information.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: When they retired the E8/9's on the Burlington Northern line they were replaced with F40PHM-2's Here's another link...are these what you were thinking of?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=37434

Yeah, kwboehm, I think I did see one of these either on the former Wisconsin Central line or the Northwest line. IIRC, the road number also once belonged on an "standard" F40PH.

[Anonymous]

Thats the unit "MPXpress"...thanxs for the info....has anyone heard of it being out on the market for "N" scale?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

So far, the MP36PH-3S is getting around. I know of six that are operating on BNSF, some are operating on RI, and more are operating on MILW. Some are intended to replace the F40C's on the Milwaukee lines. They may be too heavy for some of the former C&NW lines (shades of the H-1).

[kwboehm]

I thought that I had heard that they were something like 30,000 lbs heavier than originally designed, causing them to be too heavy for the C&NW, cuz I thought they were originally planning to use them on all their lines. Can someone either confirm or elaborate on that?

[Anonymous]

Well, I live just off the BN (I still call it that) line where the new units are getting 30-45% of the daily traffic, and I have spent a good amount of time researching these units but never have heard anything of Cat engines, and having spent a while around them at Fairview Ave.(MP 20.3) station, they sure don't sound like it either. For those of you who subscribe to Trains and keep their back issues, if you look back a year or so, in David Lustig's Locomotives section, he notes that they have redesigned 16-645F engines built by GE (yes, GE) in Poland.

For those of you who haven't seen one in person, it's sure something to watch this high-tech wonder slip a wheel or eight loading up with its six cars, while the old F40s just load up and go. Always fun to watch!

At first, I hated these units because of their intended purpose, but I guess that those F40Cs can't live forever....Sure wish I hadn't missed the E9s' heyday by 20 years. And here's something that bothers me, I don't know why. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=36427
Does this bother anyone else?

EDIT: Oh, and yes, the MP36s are too heavy for the C&NW bridges leaving the OTC downtown, by about 3,000 pounds. Hence, they're restricted to the BN, Milwaukee, and any other line you care to put them on.

[Anonymous]

A MP36PH-3s was totaled in a derailment on the Rock Island Line, in October 2003, at 47th and Federal. It went through a switch 60 plus MPH

[METRO]

wow that new paint scheme isn't very flattering at all. You think they'd do like most other major commuter lines and hire a good graphic designer. That orange and Red stripe just gets annoying where it's placed

[Anonymous]

The one and only time I've heard of the new units on the North Central line was a training day. My Friend in Chicago, reported that they ran on most of the lines to familarize the Crews. They are slated to replace the F40Cs as well as the earliest F40PHs

[Anonymous]

The MP36's are running on BNSF, RI, and MILW lines. They do operate on NCS once and a while. 401 - 407 are on BNSF. 408, 410, 412 & 413 are on RI. The two MP36's involved in the RI derailment (409 & 411) are being repaired and/or replaced. 414 - 419 are on MILW. Starting with 416, the MP36's have number boards on each side of the headlight.

4 F40C's have been taken out of service as of now. The F40PH's from BNSF and RI will not be taken out of service, they will just be moved to SWS or NCS when expansion construction is done in about a year, so they do still run on both of those lines.

BNSF does not have any problem with the MP36's. They pull an 11 car train with no problem. The longest trains on RI and MILW are only 9 cars, but the MP36's still run early with their trains.

I think the paint scheme for the MP36's is the best scheme for Metra, seeing it in person is a lot better than from a picture. I think this is the best picture of a Metra MP36.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=31976