Two METRA Highliner EMUs Available in Indiana

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2021 3:27 pm

Quote:

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is looking to de-access former Metra highliners #1529 and #1502 from the museums collection.

Many reasons have lead to this decision including the rapidly deteriorating condition of both cars and lack of track space throughout the museum grounds. HVRM would like to make it known to other groups who may be interested in the cars so that others may express their interest to the museum. Do to the nature of the cars it is unlikely they would be able to leave on their own wheels. Scraping is an option should no interested parties approach us.

Consider this the official post for the future of these cars and contact me for more info through messenger or the provided email address below

Kyle Flanigan, HVRM Secretary

kyle.flanigan@hoosiervalley.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOTTORC ... 169467806/

(I strongly recommend reading through the Facebook post thread for details before making overtures, getting ideas, or making wanton suggestions that have probably already been made.)

Trolleyguy · **Posted:** Mon May 10, 2021 11:31 am

Boone and Scenic Valley RR Museum already has 6 of these cars and none of them operate.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6468

For the record, METRA 1502 was the very first Highliner received by the Illinois Central. The railroad did various operational tests with that single car, mostly over the IC's Washington Park branch, which was still in place at that time.

Les

wesp · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2021 7:36 pm

Were the low 1500s Highliners the last cars to be built by St. Louis Car Company?

Wesley

EJ Berry · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2021 10:23 pm

Wes,

I had thought it was the SOAC cars but it seems to be the NY City R44's for Staten Island (SIRTOA) in 1973.

Phil Mulligan

Frank Hicks · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2021 11:27 pm

EJ Berry wrote:

I had thought it was the SOAC cars but it seems to be the NY City R44's for Staten Island (SIRTOA) in 1973.

I think that's right. The SOAC cars were completed in August 1972 and at that time SLCC was still in the midst of delivering NYC subway cars built on the R44 contract, with the Staten Island R44's delivered during the first four months of 1973. The last "Highliner" built by SLCC, car 1630, was delivered in 1972 (I think early in the year but I'm not certain) and is preserved at IRM.

EJ Berry · **Posted:** Tue May 11, 2021 11:55 pm

I might add those St. Louis Car R-44's from 1973 are still running and provide all the service on Staten Island.

The R44's built for service on the BMT and IND lines were retired about 10 years ago. The cars remaining in service were all built for service on Staten Island and remain there.

Phil Mulligan

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6468

With no expressed interest from the preservation community in METRA (ex-Illinois Central) Highliners 1502 and 1529, the scrapping of the cars has commenced. In the photo, the work already done on #1529 is apparent while 1502 is seen in the background awaiting her fate. Number 1502 was the first car delivered to the ICRR. Will she turn out to be the last Highliner scrapped?

Les

filmteknik · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:14 am

In theory IRM was/is planning to keep only two of the four it has, one St. Louis, one Bombardier with the others scrapped for parts. So far all four are extant with two stored outdoors in the core of the museum while two are out in the “south pasture.”

I’m amazed that I never saw any photos or details in fan media of the scrapping of the rest of the fleet. I don’t even know where it took place. I know Metra paid a considerable sum to get them scrapped apparently due to asbestos. And another large fee for a third party to manage the scrapping. Where was all this asbestos on these cars and how are these folks dealing with it?

Topfuel · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 4:49 pm **Posts:** 526

"Where was all this asbestos on these cars and how are these folks dealing with it?"

Shhh! You're not supposed to bring that up in polite company.....

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 13, 2021 1:04 pm

filmteknik wrote:

In theory IRM was/is planning to keep only two of the four it has, one St. Louis, one Bombardier with the others scrapped for parts. So far all four are extant with two stored outdoors in the core of the museum while two are out in the “south pasture.”

One pair is operable (1630 & 1637). IRM had a fantastic fundraiser (for indoor storage of the Highliners) back in July where you could operate the pair for roughly 10 minutes for $10.

filmteknik · **Posted:** Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:14 pm

They say the cars were checked for asbestos and none found. Other than around heating elements I don’t know where it would be. Can’t help but wonder why it’s costing or did cost Metra $5M to ease their transition to razor blades and Toyotas.

On a related matter there are about a dozen stored at the SW corner of the city. They are marked DOCX which is DuPont Canada. What would they want with old Highliners? Long term paint test?

Gham55* · **Joined:** Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:56 am **Posts:** 86

Trolleyguy wrote:

Boone and Scenic Valley RR Museum already has 6 of these cars and none of them operate.

BSVY is now down to five Metra Highliners. Car #1538 was scrapped at Boone in September of 2023.

Christopher Stone · **Joined:** Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:23 am **Posts:** 73

Les Beckman wrote:

With no expressed interest from the preservation community in METRA (ex-Illinois Central) Highliners 1502 and 1529, the scrapping of the cars has commenced. In the photo, the work already done on #1529 is apparent while 1502 is seen in the background awaiting her fate. Number 1502 was the first car delivered to the ICRR. Will she turn out to be the last Highliner scrapped?

Les

Looks very much like the ones scrapped at Mendota IL a few years earlier:

Gham55* · **Joined:** Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:56 am **Posts:** 86

Highliner #1538 at Boone; initial cut:

Two METRA Highliner EMUs Available in Indiana

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