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That's what I thought, thanks!

Maybe this is a dumb question- do I actually have to let my card balance get to $1000 to qualify for the bouns points, or is it as simple as spending $1000 within 90 days even if you pay off the balance several times in order to get there? (Which is the way it seems)

I totally agree, Jis. I wasn't trying to imply that brand new Tier 4 passenger locomotives are a waste at all, sorry if it came off that way. They make perfect sense for the agencies that ordered them. I simply meant that at this time they don't make sense for Metra. Some day they will, and...

Metra is (smartly, imo) taking the "wait-and-see" approach to Tier 4. Tier 4 locomotives are basically unproven at this time. No one knows how the Tier 4 prime movers will last compared to the older units. The F40PH/F40PHM-2's are currently being remanufactured at a cost of $2.2mil per unit...

Also keep in mind that most Amtrak trains running with 2 units are actually only using 1. Amtrak rules dictate that one unit be offline to conserve fuel unless you need both units online to make track speed. Usually the 2nd unit is just there as a backu0 and if everything goes right it's never...

^In an emergency brake application, the locomotive will provide blended braking like normal. Dynamic brakes, supplemented with air brakes. The locomotive air brakes are applied at speed where the dynamic brakes aren't effective. This video shows perfectly how the standard range dynamic brakes...

Amtrak's P42s (like almost all other passenger locomotives) are equipped with standard range dynamic brakes. Standard range dynamics brakes aren't effective at speeds below 25mph. At 15mph they are practically useless- they only have half the strength at 15mph that they have at 25mph. You...

Metra has NO interest in purchasing new locomotives. They are currently undergoing rebuild programs for the F40PHM-2s, MP36s, and some of the F40PH-2s. They also purchased 3 ex-AMT F59PHs. I don't see them buying any brand new locomotives any time soon. They're taking the wait and see...

What is your basis for this statement? Are you, or have you ever been, a professional locomotive engineer? I am, and I can tell you I have departed on trips with locomotives with FAR less than half a tank of fuel. As for the gauges comment, you're right, gauges do break. The design of the...

Metra does not have PTC yet. The official cause of the derailment was a track defect.

Amtrak installed GE's version of ZTR Smartstart- called AESS- into all the P40s when they were rebuilt. I'm not sure if the 500s have been getting it as they are getting overhauled or not. All the genset switchers already come with it, too. I'm sure if they had the money they'd gladly install...

GE still makes the diesel engines, as well as all other parts for the Genesis, including the computer system.

George- Locomotives don't really have a lifespan. They have overhaul cycles. A locomotive can last 100 years or more, it just depends on availability of parts and so on. All the components of the Genesis are still manufactured today by GE, and literally thousands of similar locomotives are...

The Brookville shown above also does not meet Tier 4 standards so until it does it's no longer in production.

Jis- EMD is no longer producing North American freight locomotives because the 710 engine can not meet Tier 4 emissions standards. The F125 is powered by a Cat which requires Urea injection. If Amtrak ordered them for LD service they would have to install Urea filling stations at every fueling...

The crew died on HoS because of the 8 hour delay they incurred waiting on the rescue locomotive. I completely agree with you on single engine LD trains, but at least 157's HEP was still working.

The Target store on State Street is nice, but there is a bigger one at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street, a block away from the upscale outdoor mall Jim was talking about.

Engine 157 stopped loading outside of Mattoon, IL. After an 8 hour wait a UP SD70M- UP 4968- was put on as the leader but the train crew went dead on Hours of Service at Effingham, IL. It took 2 hours to get a fresh crew out of Carbondale.

My guess is a ticket agent couldn't make it in and they were short staffed. I'm sure the closure is a one day deal.

"Never ending fare hikes"? Have you ever ridden any other commuter railroad aside from Metra? Fares at Metra are FAR lower than anywhere else.