CHI-TOWN FLAVOR

Being born and raised in the Chicago area, I have a special interest in many of my hometown railroads -including METRA. With my "modeler's license" in hand, let's turn Hillsdale into a Chicago suburb and watch a few commuter trains roll through...

The headlight belongs to a bi-level commuter cab car.

A short commuter train rolls past, not only in full C&NW yellow & green dress, but running "wrong main" in the traditional C&NW manner!

Pushing on the train is a C&NW EMD F7, modified for commuter service. Note the rooftop exhaust mufflers for the Head End Power generator, replacing what was probably a steam generator. The HEP generator provides electricity to the cars for lighting and heating/cooling, eliminating the need for under-body battery boxes on the cars -as well as steam lines for the heating systems and the need for a steam boiler (and the associated cleaning/maintenance and separate water tank) on the locomotive. Note also that the upper headlight housing, which held the gyrating Mars light, has not only been plated over, but now holds the C&NW signature gong bell!

While I don't recall riding the C&NW trains, and recall E-units pulling them though my hometown, these cars were a "must have" when Kato released them years ago. Then, when Bowser released the F-unit this summer, it was another "must have"!

The headlights of yet another cab car approach; yet again running "wrong main"!

This time, it's an 80's/90's RTA train, pushed by an F40PH-2 (classed B-32-A by RTA; a standard F40 is rated at 3000hp, RTA/Metra's are rated at 3200hp). 

The red marker lights glow on the nose of the engine for rear-end protection. When I was in the Navy, attending school at Great Lakes Naval Station, I rode these trains regularly.

Another F40PH, this time running "correct main", pulls its train through town.

The train is painted in Metra's current paint scheme. Additionally, the engine has been updated with rooftop a/c units and ditch lights. Note that the nose striping remains similar to the previous scheme.

The marker lights on the cab car glow red. Note, again, that the end striping is similar to the previous scheme. Most, if not all, of these cars have been retired in favor of stainless steel cars.

Lastly, one of Metra's newest locomotives; an MP36PH. This unit, 401, is named after a young boy, Oliver "Ollie" Tibbles, who died of brain cancer. His dream of growing up? He wanted to be a train! Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, his dream came true. His story is why I bought this particular road number; a portion of the sales went to Make-A-Wish. Unfortunately, the snowplow was mounted too low, and broke off while I was running the engine; that's why it's missing.