CHICAGO — Stadler US will build eight two-car battery-electric trainsets for Chicago’s Metra, its first order for such equipment in the United States, the commuter operator and manufacturer announced today (Wednesday, Feb. 21).
The eight trainsets are the initial order for an agreement that could expand to as many as 16 trainsets. While the trainsets will initially be two cars, they can later be expanded to three- or four-car trains. Metra plans to introduce the equipment on the Rock Island District’s Beverly Branch, a 16.4-mile route between downtown and Blue Island, Ill., that features frequent stops in the communities of Beverly Hills, Morgan Park, and Blue Island.
The first trainsets are expected to be delivered in 2027-28, and are projected to have a range of 45 to 65 miles. Charging times will vary, but going from a 20% charge to 80%, enough to operate, is expected to take 20 to 30 minutes.
“This purchase demonstrates Metra’s commitment to cleaner power, to quieter trains, and to thinking outside the box as we plan for our future,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a press release. “We are excited to bring this technology, and its efficiency, flexibility, and reliability, to Chicago and to our riders.” Derwinski also said he believes the new equipment “will be an essential addition to our fleet.”
The contract with Stadler U.S. includes a base order of $154 million for the eight two-car trainsets, with options of up to $181.4 million for eight more train sets and up to 32 trailer cars which could be added to those two-car trainsets. Each two-car set will seat 112 people, and each two-car trailer will add about 46 additional seats. The single-level equipment will feature an open-gangway design allowing people to move from car to car; half of the trailer cars, if purchased, would include ADA-accessible bathrooms.
Metra had received a $169.3 million federal grant — the largest discretionary grant in its history — in October. It had previously issued a Request for Proposals for battery-electric equipment in September 2022 [see “Metra lands federal grant to purchase battery-powered trainsets,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 18, 2023]. The required 20% local match to the federal grant will come from the Illinois PAYGO program, funding created by the Rebuild Illinois bill passed in 2019.
Stadler says the equipment for Metra will be winterized to handle Chicago’s climate, with features including underfloor heating in boarding areas as well as special insulation and well-sealed machine rooms to protect the drive technology.
“Our [battery-electric multiple unit] technology helps support transit agencies like Metra in their mission to bring state-of-the-art green public transit to the U.S.,” Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter said in a press release. “We are excited to build these trains for the greater Chicago area and are looking forward to the partnership with Metra.”
Each new two-car trainset will seat 112 people. The current gallery cars seat about 145 each. So you would need all eight of the new trainsets to match the capacity of a typical off-peak six-gallery-car train.
I’m sure those off-peak trains don’t need six cars. Still it’s difficult to imagine these eight trainsets covering the off-peak hourly schedule. Will they have any role during rush hour?
SO MUCH COMPLAINING.
Dennis: Federal taxes mean that everyone is contributing. Including Illinois residents. And who do you think pays Illinois taxes? People who live in Chicago and the Metra service area.
John: Don’t you think they’ve tested these things in cold climates? They already run in northern Germany (Kiel, near the Danish border) and will soon run in eastern Austria.
I think its a fair question to ask. It rarely gets below 25-30 degrees F in Schleswig-Holstein in the wintertime (but is very windy) and in Chicago, temperatures below 0 F are not uncommon.
Stadler may have designed a similar hookup that Metra uses for their diesels that function similar to block warmers. It circulates heated glycol through the batteries that keeps them above freezing while sitting overnight in the yard. This way they can maintain their maximum charge until the morning rush.
Federal government pays 80%, state pays 20% and Metra and Chicago pay $0. I wish I could get someone to pay for my stuff.
Three to four years to construct 16 cars?
They should have only bought one unit to find out whether it will, or won’t, survive Chicago winters, with an option to place a complete order if the prototype is successful.
Does look pretty cool.