Locomotives of the RTA

[Anonymous]

Hi! I am new here and am trying to discover what locomotives the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority uses. My son is interested in matching up an accurate locomotive with the Walthers Pullman Standard Bi-Level Commuter Coach used in Chicago c.1974-1984. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

For the period in question (74-84), F40PH's are good. Assuming that the Walthers coach in question is not stainless steel, then C&NW F7A's, E8A's, E9A's and Crandall cabs would be accurate. Also RI E6A 630, E8A's and E9A's would fit.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply...looks like we have a few options. My son doesn't care for the F40PH,but he really likes the Rivarossi EMD E8A locomotives. I hope that would be accurate,when re-painted with the RTA scheme. We really appreciate the help.

[AltonFan]

During my high school years (1977-1981), I used to grab the bus in front of Des Plaines station on the former C&NW Northwest Line. It always afforded me a chance to watch trains before I headed off to school.

Actually, the RTA locomotives began to appear in the latter part of that time frame. (The F40PHs in RTA colors were first appearing ca. 1978 or so.) I don't remember ever seeing E8As or Crandall Cabs in anything but C&NW yellow and green. (Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing any F-units, or any cab units in RTA colors.) On the Northwest Line, stainless steel equipment was seen on very rare occasions. (I think I saw that once or twice, and then, IIRC, it was on a weekend.)

I have to admit, I loved the sound of the F40PH's airhorn, and the RTA locomotive color color scheme.