Progress Rail to Overhaul Metra Locos

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Chicagoland's Metra has awarded Progress Rail Services Corp. a $91.1 million contract to rehabilitate 41 EMD F40PH-2 and F40PHM-2 locomotives to "like new" condition. The locomotives were manufactured between 1989 and 1992.

Metra's Board of Directors approved the deal Friday, Feb. 13, 2015...

...The rehabilitated locomotives will feature a new high-voltage cabinet with a microprocessor control system, remanufactured engines upgraded to U.S. EPA Tier 0+ emissions standards, new and reconditioned accessories, car body corrosion repair and new paint, rebuilt electrical rotating equipment, rebuilt trucks with new wheels, and Positive Train Control (PTC) components...

The $2.4 billion, 10-year modernization plan... is the first long-term rolling stock plan in Metra history. It calls for renovating 455 cars and 85 locomotives (including the 41 in this contract), and purchasing 367 new cars and 52 new locomotives.

Hopefully Progress does a LOT better work this time around. The last rebuilds have proven to be terrible.

Will Progress do the work at LaGrange(EMD factory).Peoria or at Bloomington/Normal (Cat engine) shop?

Neither. The rebuild work will all be done at the Progress facility in Patterson, Georgia this time around.

Does anyone have any information on when this rebuild program might begin?

No idea whenthe project will begin.

I do know the first locomotive will take 22 months to rebuild. Once that one is done the rest of the first group will be rebuilt. 174-184 will be the first group. The 2nd group will be 185-194, then 195-204, and 205-214 will be last.