Metra released its first F59PH, No. 97, into revenue service on Friday, one of three it purchased from the Agence métropolitaine de transport, Montreal. The three F59s were originally built in 1988 for Go Transit in Toronto. Before releasing the F59, Metra made several wiring modifications, installed public address and intercom systems, and modified the head-end power and in-cab control indicators so that they are similar to the railroad’s existing locomotives.
Before its release, Metra’s Kensington Yard Maintenance Facility also removed the old classification lights, and added marker lights, and an oscillating light before painting the locomotive in a paint scheme similar to that of the railroads existing MP36PH-3S’s. Metra also announced that 42 of its F40s, will be getting the newer paint scheme as they receive a major overhaul in the next four years.
Metra No. 97, along with Nos. 98 and 99 when modifications and painting are complete, will be assigned to Milwaukee North, Milwaukee West, and North Central services.
Love NCS. How bout a crossover from CN to UPNW at Deval?
I remeber back when MMA was rebuilding them for use in Poland but it never worked out so most f40ph's were scrapped mainly ex nj transit and Amtrak ones and then they rebuilt the remming f40's and f59's for lease.
In recent years, Metra has been chronically short of locomotives and of cash, requiring them to go shopping for affordable used locomotives such as these three F59's.
New passenger locomotives such as the EMD F-125 and the Siemens Charger go for around $6 million each, and Metra simply cannot afford to purchase any of them.
With a face only a mother would love.
Probably not. GO Transit beat the living hell out of these engines for 20 years. However the HEP was probably replaced. GO Transit runs off 575V compared to 480V. AMT probably beat it worse than GO Transit did. One thing they did do is move the bell. As originally delivered, the bell was front and centre above the windshield. Well, if you can keep beating the things up, why not.
Not mentioned is if the 710 primemover was rebuilt with the updated firing order.