Metra Orders 160 New Cars for Electric Line

Yesterday, . After some follow-up questions today, we’ve got some good news and some bad news.

The Bad

Not a single one of the newly refurbished cars will ever run on the Metra Electric Line. Michael Gillis of Metra explains why:

… the Metra Electric Line is, as its name implies, electrified. It uses electric multiple-unit (EMU) cars, which are electric self-propelled coaches that draw power from an overhead catenary wire system. It does not share equipment with the other 10 Metra lines, which have diesel locomotives pulling bi-level passenger cars.

The Good

For those H-F residents who might be to be missing out on the refurbished cars, you can take a deep breath knowing that, according to Gillis, Metra spent $585 million ordering 160 brand new cars for the Metra Electric line. The new cars are promised to share some of the features of the rehabbed Metra cars, such as power outlets, Gillis said. Commuters can expect to see the new cars on the Electric Line towards the end of this year, according to Metra.

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