Passenger Trains > status Metra SD70 rebuilds

What is the status on this program, or did I miss the posts? Thanks for all information.

brc600 Wrote:
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> What is the status on this program, or did I miss
> the posts? Thanks for all information.

Top secret! If I divulge my sources, I would have to,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Well you know the rest.

I’m guessing between the reduction in trains since COVID hit and Metra’s recent RFP to convert a handful of F40PH’s to battery-powered locomotives, we may not see the SD70MAC program go forward.

Posted from iPhone

kevink Wrote:
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> I’m guessing between the reduction in trains
> since COVID hit and Metra’s recent RFP to
> convert a handful of F40PH’s to battery-powered
> locomotives, we may not see the SD70MAC program go
> forward.

No ex-BNSF SD70MACs will be converted for Metra. Last I heard the plan was to use ex-ATSF SD75Ms.

KCS SD70's were supposedly chosen.

alamode Wrote:
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> kevink Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I’m guessing between the reduction in trains
> > since COVID hit and Metra’s recent RFP to
> > convert a handful of F40PH’s to
> battery-powered
> > locomotives, we may not see the SD70MAC program
> go
> > forward.
>
> No ex-BNSF SD70MACs will be converted for Metra.
> Last I heard the plan was to use ex-ATSF SD75Ms.

HotWater Wrote:
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> brc600 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is the status on this program, or did I
> miss
> > the posts? Thanks for all information.
>
> Top secret! If I divulge my sources, I would have
> to,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Well you know the rest.

We'd be in HotWater? 
 

brc600 Wrote:
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> What is the status on this program, or did I miss
> the posts? Thanks for all information.

I do not see them in the 2022 Budget:

METRA 2022 Budget (trainorders.com)

Too bad! I was looking forward to seeing what those suckers could do.

ts1457 Wrote:
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> brc600 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is the status on this program, or did I
> miss
> > the posts? Thanks for all information.
>
> I do not see them in the 2022 Budget:
>
> METRA 2022 Budget (trainorders.com)

They are there -- see section 25: Rolling Stock. Still have 15 on order, with an option for 27 more
https://metra.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/Brochure_8.5x11_ProposedBudgetBookElectronic_2022_VFINAL.pdf

alamode Wrote:
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>
> They are there -- see section 25: Rolling Stock.
> Still have 15 on order, with an option for 27
> more
> https://metra.com/sites/default/files/inline-files
> /Brochure_8.5x11_ProposedBudgetBookElectronic_2022
> _VFINAL.pdf

"In March 2019, the Metra Board of Directors approved a $70.9 million contract to purchase 15 remanufactured locomotives to replace some of the oldest in the fleet. This year, the first of these locomotives was accepted into Metra’s fleet, making it Metra's first locomotive to meet Environmental Protection Agency-rated Tier 3 emissions standards. The contract also includes options to buy up to 27 additional locomotives."

Has anyone seen the one accepted into the fleet? Or is it off being tested?

Then we have this (see attachment). The $750,000 for 'new locomotives' in 2022 is the zero emission contraption. Looks like the spending in earnest for the rest of the SD70 rebuilds will not start unit the year 2023.



 

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This is the 2022 budget so the discussion about acceptance is "forward-looking"

alamode Wrote:
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> This is the 2022 budget so the discussion about
> acceptance is "forward-looking"

So "was accepted" does not mean that is has been accepted? 

That's crazy. Must have paid for it already. It is not in the 2022 budget.

A couple of points:
First, just because something is listed in a budget doesn’t mean there is an actual contract or purchase order for that item. If one were to review the monthly board meeting minutes since 2019, one might find out. (Not me, I have way too many other things to do.)

Second, do you all really think that it would not already been reported if there was indeed a completed SD70whatever rebuild already out there? I have seen nothing on any local lists/groups or even the Flickr sites I follow that even hint at one being completed.

FWIW, the only two rebuilds delivered this year that I can confirm from personal observation are F59PH’s 97 and 99. These are also the subject of inChi’s thread here: https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,5342964

Posted from iPhone

kevink Wrote:
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> Second, do you all really think that it would not
> already been reported if there was indeed a
> completed SD70whatever rebuild already out there?
> I have seen nothing on any local lists/groups or
> even the Flickr sites I follow that even hint at
> one being completed.

I agree. But what is the explanation of what Metra said in the budget?

Looks to me that Metra has kicked the can down the road a few years on this project, but if traffic does not strongly bounce back this next year,I doubt that we will ever see these locomotives.