RailRoadFan.com

Posted: **Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:55 pm**

https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-buying ... -trainsets

The contract with Stadler U.S., of Salt Lake City, Utah, includes a $154 million base order for eight two-car, battery-powered trainsets, including engineering, training, and spare parts, with options costing up to an additional $181.4 million for eight more trainsets and up to 32 trailer cars, which could be added to the two-car trainsets to create three- or four-car trainsets.

A fully charged trainset is expected to have a range of 45 to 65 miles. Charging time will vary, but going from a 20 percent charge to 80 percent – enough for the trainset to operate – is expected to take about 20 to 30 minutes. The exact charging infrastructure and its cost is yet to be determined.

Metra plans to introduce the trainsets between LaSalle St. and Blue Island on the Beverly Branch of the Rock Island Line, a distance of 16.4 miles.

Posted: **Wed Feb 21, 2024 3:36 pm**

Q-line Detroit had to shut down January, 2019. Batteries couldn't provide propulsion and heat in the record breaking cold.
Trying to charge the batteries was also problematic. Good luck Chicago, I'm sure you will need it.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/ ... 730812002/

Posted: **Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:22 am**

The use of battery powered trainsets is becoming more common.

https://www.alstom.com/press-releases- ... irish-rail

Posted: **Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:17 am**

note that ireland winters more mild than ours.

always get a laugh when people point out how reliable the brightline units are compared to the amtrak midwest units.
not much cold and snow in florida.
the cold and snow are real problems that vehicle builders don't seem to grasp very well.
hello tesla et al.

Posted: **Thu Feb 22, 2024 1:17 pm**

As someone from Chicago, I’m not happy about this lol. But then again this should mean more variety on Metra in the future! However these carsets will supposedly operate on the Rock Island District Beverly Branch in the Blue Island, IL area. Ironically there was going to be a project on this same suburban branch with battery powered F40PHs but it never took off bc EMD/Progress Rail backed out

Posted: **Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:54 pm**

DaveO wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:17 am

always get a laugh when people point out how reliable the brightline units are compared to the amtrak midwest units.
not much cold and snow in florida.

Always get a laugh when people think cold or snow factor that much into a properly maintained locomotive.

I also get a laugh when people forget that the Amtrak midwest unit are not all that reliable in the summer either.

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Metra buying battery-powered trainsets

Metra buying battery-powered trainsets

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