Metra F40C donation gives RRHMA final rostered unit

Metra F40C donation has sent the agency’s final rostered unit to Silvis, Illinois. Metra 611 is going to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. Also, the group is assembling diesel locomotives alongside two Union Pacific steam engines. It says it plans to restore the rare six-axle passenger unit to operation.

Metra F40C donation and the move to Silvis

Meanwhile, Railfan reported that Metra 611 was seen being moved around Chicago on March 18. It is now on its way to Silvis.

RRHMA President Steve Sandberg said in a press release, “Metra has a deep appreciation for its history, and we are grateful they have chosen RRHMA to receive this unique locomotive.” He added, “Our collection includes Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 261, along with several Milwaukee Road passenger cars, including a Skytop observation car, Super Dome, and sleeping car. Adding this locomotive — one that also once wore Milwaukee Road lettering — advances our mission of preserving significant artifacts of Midwest railroading.”

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Meanwhile, Metra 614 was donated last year to the Illinois Railway Museum. It was the other surviving Metra F40C.

Metra 611 and the F40C locomotive design

Metra 611 was built in April 1974 as Milwaukee Road 54. It was part of a unique design. It was unique to the North Suburban and North West Suburban Mass Transit Districts. Separately, these districts supported commuter service over Milwaukee Road lines. Those lines ran north and west of Chicago to Fox Lake and Elgin.

The F40C locomotive was a six-axle, six-motor cowl-body unit developed solely for passenger use. Also, its sides were mostly finished in stainless steel. This was to match Milwaukee Road bi-level commuter cars. In addition, the units were built with head-end power. Just 15 F40Cs were produced, all in 1974. They were built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. The work was done at EMD’s plant in McCook, Illinois.

Metra 611 remained in regular service until 2004. It worked on the Milwaukee Road North and West lines. It then left active duty. Still, it returned to operation in 2009 with identical locomotive 614. Metra permanently retired both engines in 2012. At the same time, it placed them in storage at Western Avenue.

RRHMA restoration plans in Silvis, Illinois

RRHMA owns the former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad shop complex in Silvis. It says it plans to develop the site. The goal is the country’s largest restoration facility for historic railroad equipment.

Meanwhile, the non-profit is currently restoring Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 3985 and 2-10-2 5511.

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