CHICAGO — Metra is seeking customers’ opinions on features of new railcars it expects to order soon.
Metra issued a request for proposals earlier this year for an order of at least 200 new railcars, with an option for 300 more [see “Proposed Metra budget boosts spending for locomotives, cars, infrastructure,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 9, 2019 ], and the proposals could include an alternative to the bilevel gallery cars that have been used by Chicago commuters for nearly 70 years.
The commuter railroad says it is looking for cars that would “increase capacity and optimize passenger amenities,” and has created a survey toward the latter goal, available via Metra’s website. It raises the possibilities of features ranging from tray tables to wi-fi.
“Metra can’t guarantee that it will be able to incorporate everything into the new cars,” the agency says in a press release, “but it can promise to do all it can to get the most amenities possible.”
The passenger amenity that a lot of Metra riders would like to have back is the bar car.
To Anna Harding…. You forgot the line, ‘and we like it like that!!!’
AUGUST and J. ROBERT – I can’t speak to the relative capacities or to the relative load/ unload times of the Bombardier vs. the gallery cars. (Nor to the cost, reliability, structural strength – only the passenger experience.) You’re onto something with the Bombardier – design two-levels. The manufacturer doesn’t matter – blueprints can be transferred to any builder for the proper arrangement. I have ridden the MBTA Bombardiers and feel safer inside than the Chicago galleries.
My problem with the Chicago galleries is I wouldn’t want to be on the staircase during a crash. Plus the upper level has countless metal tubes and railings to bounce one’s head off if something goes wrong.
To be fair, the newest galleries – the Metra Electric fleet – do seem a vast improvement over the original designs from the 1960s and 1970s.
The old Harriman coaches did have air conditioning. All you had to do was open the window. Lights just wait for the sun to rise(or the moon).
CHRISTOPHER – Okay, you started it! Can we have a discussion of commuter trains with tavern lounges? Does the line from New York (GCT) to New Haven still have bar cars?
Some commuter trains are so long they not only need food and beverage, they need sleepers. Like the Long Island trains to the eastern end.
The Amtrak Hiawatha – 90 minutes or so twice a day – is pretty much a commuter run Monday through Friday, has no amenities except a quiet car.
Metra needs to stick with Bi Level Commuter Cars, and in today’s world you need all these hi tech accessories installed in Train Coaches to keep people happy and safe (especially with today’s Crash Energy Management equipped Cars so less or no tragedies are involved in collisions.
In today’s world in order to have high ridership on Trains, agencies need to keep people happy, including stuff onboard that people like Including tables, and USB ports, as some commuters like to plug their computers in and get more work done.
Plus Metra’s New Cars should include leg room on both levels cause not all passengers are skinny and thin and don’t like to be crammed in. Metra should go with the Bombardier Commuter Coaches as I have always liked them and they look good on any Commuter Railroad. Siemens shouldn’t be involved this time anyway.
Good thing Metra isn’t buying New Tier 4 engines yet cause None of the new Tier 4s have been proven reliable yet.
Tray tables? Wifi? USB? What kinds of wusses are these modern commuters?
In my day, with the old Harriman coaches, you were lucky to have a seat. There was no air condition in summer, no heat in winter, and no light (usually) after dark. The ride was rough enough that after you got off you reached back into the car to collect your kidneys.
In summer if you had to cool off you could stand on the platforms between the cars and smoke whatever you had on you. In winter you bundled up and hoped that with all the shivering you didn’t crack your teeth.
We were just grateful that we didn’t have to get out and help push. Usually.
Wifi…yeesh…
The above comments are generic in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Next stop Third and Townsend.
Yeah I understand the 20thCentury design for gallery cars – high capacity, etc etc. We have to look at 21st century standards for disabled access and for passenger protection in a crash.
Tray tables, USB ports, various amenities, all that can go in any car shell. That’s not the issue here. I have a great deal of concern about the number of ways a passenger could get injured or killed inside a gallery car, in a crash, whereas other designs could be seen as safer.
I would like to see Metra rent a set of the Bombardier BiLevel Coaches AND LET THE PASSENGERS AND CREWS EXPERIENCE them. This would allow for informed evaluation os a alternative type of equipment.
Also, I suspect Siemans can build to the crush strength. While the French TGV’s have a two level design, I don’t think they are built to the FRA, they sure rode well at 186 km/hr
@Doug Potter: I agree. If Siemens can design a bi-level with the same amenities as they did for Brightline, they would win. The big question would be if they could meet the crush standards Nippon Sharyo couldn’t.
They might try riding the Brightline/Virgin trains in Florida. While single level won’t increase capacity, the comfortable seats, electrical and USB outlets, refreshments, and a smooth, quiet ride, are great.