Metrolink leasing locomotives from BNSF, adding one to every train

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Seems like yet another chapter in the book that American passenger railroading is writing on how not to do things.
 
Adding a second locomotive to the trains increases acceleration and makes the trains faster, not slower. Much faster when one of the engines breaks down again. But it is expensive.
They need DMU trains for a system that size.
 
Tokkyu40 said:
Adding a second locomotive to the trains increases acceleration and makes the trains faster, not slower. Much faster when one of the engines breaks down again. But it is expensive.

They need DMU trains for a system that size.
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Freight locomotives are not known for their acceleration or light weight and are limited in speed.
 
What neither the press release nor the OP explain is that Metrolink is doing this because they are concerned, based on the investigation into their fatal grade crossing accident earlier this year, that the cab cars front plows are susceptible to catching debris underneath and causing the car to derail.
 
The problem is with Southern California's drivers who don't seem to understand that you're not supposed to cross tracks when gates are down. I'm not really sure why MetroLink has more problems with this sort of accident than other commuter railroads. Chicago's Metra has operated push-pull double deckers for 60 years without the sort of accidents that have plagued Metrolink. Using freight locomotives seems kind of an over the top response.
 
Great so they bought those uncomfortable new "SAFE" cars and now they are not safe. I personally always ride in the old Bombardier cars since the seats are 1000% more comfortable than the Rotem cars.
 
MikefromCrete said:
The problem is with Southern California's drivers who don't seem to understand that you're not supposed to cross tracks when gates are down. I'm not really sure why MetroLink has more problems with this sort of accident than other commuter railroads
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Aloha

My daughter witnessed a "JERK" destroy an expensive car by going around the gate as the train passed and getting hit by the train traveling in the opposite direction.
 
Just saw a bunch of BNSF engines parked at the far track at LAUS. According to the Metrolink conductor, the engines are for them. Yesterday, they moved them to the far track and they are all still there as of tonight.
 
FrensicPic said:
seat38a said:
Fan Railer said:
How does no one have pictures of this stuff yet?
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Here you go. There are about 13 or 14 parked on the farthest platform and many more parked where Metrolink usually stores surplus cars.

Untitled by B H, on Flickr

Untitled by B H, on Flickr
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They have been parked there at LAUS for many weeks...have yet to see any being used.
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Yes, I saw them being moved to the tracks couple weeks ago. Never thought to take pictures at that time. From what I read, the are going to have the engines PTC compliant before using them.
 

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