Trains overcrowded. PTC causing slower flips, A/C failures.
It has been too long but are trains running at platform limit lengths ? Seem to recall that the storage tracks south of Union station were filled to train length capacity ? If not does seem to be a shortage of cars ? The article says BNSF does not have enough persons to service the A/C. Since BNSF is not fulfilling its maintenance contract could METRA contract out to someone else to meet the slack ? That means money that METRA may not have ?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-biz-metra-bnsf-crowding-20180718-story.html
I've observed that rush-hour trains on BNSF tend to max out at 8 or 9 cars, which may be the limit at CUS and most outlying stops. Metra is on the cusp of a car shortage, it can cover daily schedules but only has a handful of spares to cover for unusual situations.
The Chicago-Aurora line is operated under a purchase-of-service contract between Metra and BNSF. I don't know the particulars but this roughly means that Metra sets the schedule and provides the equipment and BNSF runs the operation, providing crews, maintenance, etc.
This expansion to Oswego would make sense but seems unlikely given BNSF limitations.http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-oswego-metra-st-0720-story.html
A thought. A/C units in present cars require how much time to change ? Are the unit(s) modular and easily changed?. Modular design is much more econoic in the long run. Keep cars going and have extra units on site(s) to get quick repairs. Hope METRA will require that in future orders of cars.m
NOTE Modular applies to many items in a car or loco.
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