It’s a bit surreal to hear a K5LLA on a Metra locomotive. Regardless, I absolutely love how quirky the idea of using rebuilt freight locomotives on a commuter train is. Great video!
Don't worry Metra isn't the only Passager railroad to use Nathan K5LLAs on their locomotives the Long Island Railroad has a few DE/DM30ACs which have K5LLAs
At New Jersey Transit, rebuilt freight locomotives in passenger service has been going on since 1989 at the latest. The difference is those are four axles instead of six. NJT infrastructure isn’t built to handle six axle locomotives.
An sd70 has a 184 liter motor that makes 4500 horsepower, and an f59PHI has a 138 liter motor that makes 3000 horsepower. I came here to say it doesn't seem to be that notable, but after doing the math it is a pretty big upgrade
Great catches of these two SD70MACH on two different trains. I presume that the second engine on these trains was just for back up purposes in case the SD70MACHs had any mechanical problems. The trains did not look like they actually needed two engines each to move the number of commuter cars on each train.
The extra locomotives were probably for quicker acceleration on the short morning stops, where they need to run quickly to keep on schedule. The area is flat, so I see no other reason.
Although i like this new unit, i still think they should had bought some p42 units from amtrak since some are not being used (or so I've heard) either way, neat
They would not survive on those locomotives. P5’s are very air efficient and the newer EMD’s run on solenoid valves and a fairly high air pressure. This causes P horns to foul out much faster. Take NS 1822 and some of the ACE’s with P5’s and you’ll see what I mean.
The SD70MACH have a beautiful paint scheme. There are things I don't understand about this purchase. 1) Why did Metra purchase 16 cylinder units if they were going to remove two of the traction motors? 2) Why did 15+ yrs old locomotives cost more than new ones? A new 12 cylinder would have made more sense than buying 16 cylinder robbed of its power and costing more.
Maybe for HEP, also many railroads are rebuilding old locomotives because the Tier 4 locomotives aren’t good apparently, UP has all of theirs in storage
I’d take a four axle variety of a rebuilt freighter (more recent than the GP40 series which NJT has) but NJT’s infrastructure isn’t built to handle six axle locomotives.
Bruh seeing a commuter railroad with SD70s and K5LLAs?? Man im loving these crazy decisions 😩
Whoever made that choice is definitely a rail fan
@@thejackbox I mean metx does want only EMD engines and the K5LLA is a crispy horn so idkk
It’s a bit surreal to hear a K5LLA on a Metra locomotive. Regardless, I absolutely love how quirky the idea of using rebuilt freight locomotives on a commuter train is. Great video!
Also to Add that its a SD70mac with a gyra light.
Don't worry Metra isn't the only Passager railroad to use Nathan K5LLAs on their locomotives the Long Island Railroad has a few DE/DM30ACs which have K5LLAs
Well, if you lack money, sometimes you need to improvise whether others like it or not.
But if it's stupid but works, then is it really stupid?
At New Jersey Transit, rebuilt freight locomotives in passenger service has been going on since 1989 at the latest. The difference is those are four axles instead of six. NJT infrastructure isn’t built to handle six axle locomotives.
An sd70 has a 184 liter motor that makes 4500 horsepower, and an f59PHI has a 138 liter motor that makes 3000 horsepower. I came here to say it doesn't seem to be that notable, but after doing the math it is a pretty big upgrade
Very crisp horn
Great catches of these two SD70MACH on two different trains. I presume that the second engine on these trains was just for back up purposes in case the SD70MACHs had any mechanical problems. The trains did not look like they actually needed two engines each to move the number of commuter cars on each train.
The second locomotive is an F59.
The extra locomotives were probably for quicker acceleration on the short morning stops, where they need to run quickly to keep on schedule. The area is flat, so I see no other reason.
@@ryanthompson2893 AFAIK the MACHs have much higher acceleration (higher horsepower + more driven axles) than the F40s and F59s.
@@davidfuller581 I know that (the mach is just a freight train with car power), but I have no idea why they would need so many
Awesome K5LLA!
Awesome!
What a superb locomotive !
Sweet footage!
Thank you!
Look at that acceleration!
These sound just like an SD70ACE!
They use the same horn
Hot shots! i got this train today too.
1:35 SD-70mach idling
Awesome catches!!
Awesome catches
Love the Raised Letter K5LLA form the SD70MACH, just like the LIRR’s DM/DE30ACs
1:48 Is the best startup I have ever heard of all my life!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
The MACH is BACK!
Their nickname should be the “Stomach” units since the name SD70MACH almost spells the word stomach with 70 replacing “TO”
@trirail809 womp womp
@trirail809 where's any emoji cats...
“Oh look, here comes a freight trai-“
Cool!
Wow from a dead stop to Notch 8 thats one powerful Locomotive 😮
It’s two locomotives on this one and only five cars.
The SD70MACHs make their first revenue run on Metra. Some of them still wear a K5LLA for some reason.
Nice catch 👍😎
Those K5LLA have the 100% complete versions, just like the Sd70aces have. And those sd70mach have the same nose and the body type as the sd70mac. 🧐👍
Any idea when they're supposed to run solo on trains?
SamLovesTrains, do you think the SD70MACH will be unreliable because of them having 6 axles?
Maybe, but they have operated six-axle passenger locomotives before (the F40C).
@made-in-the80s just found out that the other two axles are HEP-related.
@@davidng2336 Right now, Metra has two F40Cs left, right?
@@tom-and-mom correct. Unfortunately neither has operated since 2012 and there is a potential report of parts missing.
@@davidng2336it a 50/50 for sure. Considering what happened freight locomotive that were converted usually ended bad.
1:40 I can barely hear that traction motor on the MACHs
Love those things
Although i like this new unit, i still think they should had bought some p42 units from amtrak since some are not being used (or so I've heard) either way, neat
Metra won't buy those Amtrak P42s because its an all-EMD commuter agency.
@@kristoffermangilaaleast the P42 can handle high speeds with no problems.
Cool.
1:27 needs cowl body
Nope
Anybody know when they go to the BNSF?
I’m not sure. Seems like just the Milwaukee lines for now. Maybe once more start entering service.
@@SamLovesTrains yeah and the NCS.
They should replace all of the SD70MACH horns with P5s.
uh no lmao
Oh heck no keep the k5lla
They would not survive on those locomotives. P5’s are very air efficient and the newer EMD’s run on solenoid valves and a fairly high air pressure. This causes P horns to foul out much faster. Take NS 1822 and some of the ACE’s with P5’s and you’ll see what I mean.
@@ArturoRailProductionsexactly, certain horns belong on Manual valves, P5’s and Leslie’s to name a couple.
why are the F59's running with them ???
Backup in case of problems on the initial runs.
That’s awesome!
Are they actually running under power now?
It was.
Thumbs up 👍👍👍
The SD70MACH have a beautiful paint scheme. There are things I don't understand about this purchase. 1) Why did Metra purchase 16 cylinder units if they were going to remove two of the traction motors? 2) Why did 15+ yrs old locomotives cost more than new ones? A new 12 cylinder would have made more sense than buying 16 cylinder robbed of its power and costing more.
Maybe for HEP, also many railroads are rebuilding old locomotives because the Tier 4 locomotives aren’t good apparently, UP has all of theirs in storage
The horn needs to meet noise regulations or rest assure metra will have real issues.i would go with a toned down ac6000 horn.
No it's fine !!
Boohoo. The ACe’s have them so it’s clearly within some regulations. Horns aren’t meant to be quiet Einstein
Tuning is a lot more melodic than most new horns.
This won’t end well.
Agreed
More like a Metra SD70ACe
New jersey transit need a new engine like that
It would be cool, but it won't happen. I just wish nj transit would rebuild their diesel locomotives that run from Hoboken terminal into hybrids!
@@mtanyctrainatlantamartatra7164 they could it would save them so much money a new engine cost $3,000,000
I’d take a four axle variety of a rebuilt freighter (more recent than the GP40 series which NJT has) but NJT’s infrastructure isn’t built to handle six axle locomotives.
@theestallion818 no we don’t. We saw what happened the last time it happened.
@@ecoRfanyou are incorrect. No commuter line can’t handle them at all. There a reason Amtrak got rid of the E60’s
Metra's obsession with EMD is both funny and very frustrating at the same.
what could have been: ruclips.net/video/JPjMNFNMjW8/видео.htmlsi=r6VS6My31DMyy-U6
Not at all, we have enough GEs already.
Any railway choosing something else than GE is welcome.
@@LeoLeo-qo7yw bruh there a reason why railroads stopped using 6 axles power for passenger service
Virgin
I don't see why they didn't buy amtrak old engines
Cause there not EMD…
@@s197_carti I'm a train guy what so great about a emd
@boner1982till they all fail, because of how old they are.
@boner1982 the F40Ph