Most of us know and accept that widespread Metra electrification to the diesel routes just ain't gonna happen. Allow me to remind some and inform others that the reasons against it have been discussed off and on at this site through the years and those interested can find them in the archives. It basically boils down to funding, politics, and culture.
All of which will continue to evolve during the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
Now, BNSF and Rock's Beverly district have always struck me as having the most potential for electrification due to the service volume of the former and the close station spacing of the latter, but I only visualize this in non-pragmatic, "railfan" terms where practicality has nothing to do with it.
sextant wrote: ↑Thu Oct 27, 2022 6:29 pmThe Passenger traffic is high enough as is the population density.
I had my doubts about the first part of that statement, but after taking a look at the latest ridership figures from Metra's
dashboard, ridership is more robust than I expected. Don't know if that's an actual trend or an anomaly, but it appears the "reverse" commuting patterns that were long established on this line before 2020 has not totally dried up even with the rise of remote work. Likely the only route that can make this claim.
Never thought about UP-N as a candidate for conversion to electric service, but again; much has to happen for it to become reality, and I'm not holding my breath...