(USA) Article: RTA to weigh cost, practicality of switching diesel locomotives..

[ozbob]

From the Chicago Tribune click here!

RTA to weigh cost, practicality of switching diesel locomotives to electric

RTA to weigh cost, practicality of switching diesel locomotives to electric
Concern over soot, emissions prompts officials to study issue
January 18, 2011|By Richard Wronski, Tribune reporter

Of Metra's 11 routes, the Electric Line is the only one whose trains are powered by electricity. But with heightened concerns over toxic locomotive fumes, some officials wonder if dumping diesel power on Metra's other lines isn't such a bad idea.

Representatives from some of the nation's largest transit agencies will meet in Chicago in March to discuss the pros and cons of electrifying more commuter rail lines here and elsewhere.

Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Joe Costello said Tuesday that a recent Tribune investigation has focused attention on high levels of soot emitted by diesel locomotives.

No one is proposing that Metra stop running diesel, Costello said, but the RTA and the Transit Finance Learning Exchange are co-hosting a March 22 discussion of the costs and issues involved in converting to electric commuter rail lines.

"The notion is that this would have a beneficial impact on the environment," Costello said.

Metra says electrifying its 10 diesel lines would be hugely impractical.

"To convert from diesel, you'd have to rebuild the entire line and start from scratch," spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said. "The costs are astronomical."

Metra said last week it is installing more efficient air filters on train cars and switching to cleaner fuel to cut exposure to diesel fumes.

Most Metra lines already share tracks with freight trains. The Electric Line shares tracks with only the South Shore Line, both of which are powered by overhead lines.

Metra bought the former Illinois Central Electric line in 1987. The IC electrified its commuter tracks in 1926 to allay complaints of smoke and noise from steam locomotives along the lakefront.