The Shortest Metra Train I've Ever Seen!

These Metra locomotives with the sloped front are slowly being replaced with a newer model. While in Naperville to film some of them on the BNSF line, this unusual train came by.
Every Metra I've seen is between 4 and 11 cars. This one had 2.
The timing of this train was near-perfect. If it had come even 30 seconds earlier or later, I definitely wouldn't have gotten a video of it coming around the curve, and may have missed it altogether. I was checking the schedule so I would know when the next train would come, but this caught me by surprise because it wasn't on the schedule.
My favorite part is at the 3:06 mark: the shot I was planning to get is at the far right of the screen, but in the foreground this unknown Metra is barreling towards the camera.

[@METRA475]

was more than likely a PTC test train they've been running them and testing the PTC

[@bigtime7724]

collin uyttebroeck Either that or moving equipment.

[@222sx02sws]

Shortest one I saw was 3 cars at Joliet Union Station

[@rickyrodriguez9172]

Mack Malnar metra heritage corridor. So it isn't that surprising

[@Midwesttreasure75]

Mack Malnar same bro

[@nancyhernandez7833]

The shortest one I've seen was just an engine and a metro liner car.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

This is what Milwaukee Road and C&NW commuter trains used to look like, they had two cars

[@georgejenista9487]

Before METRA, two-car trains on the CB&Q (BNSF) and the C&NW (UP) were quite common. On the "Q", the shortest trains consisted of engine, one commuter coach, and an REA express car.

[@SynchroScore]

Considering that Metra is currently paying for full overhauls on the original F40PH fleet, I highly doubt the newer Winnebagoes are going anywhere soon. In all likelihood, this is a PTC test run.

[@metra1383]

196 was repainted back in 2019, idk when did it repainted, nice video!

[@RaisedLetter]

Metra cutbacks be like XD

[@ObamaoZedong]

Bigmindcreator is just a name mvp comment

[@andrewstrains5717]

Good chatch at the beginning with the veteranions unit and shortes train i saw was a single amtrak train with one car by ann arbor it was a one time run so i hopped on and went to chicago for the day

[@yixnorb5971]

I remember 2 coach Rock Island trains being common in the 70s.

[@enilkja]

Haven't seen one shorter than three cars since the 1970s.

[@heatherarmstrong6862]

A two-car Metra trains very funny

[@Dazzalinco1]

Was it possibly a transfer? In Australia you can get short trains moving between the railway workshop to the storage sidings.

[@Tolono]

Good idea. However Metra's repair facility and yard sidings are both located in downtown Chicago, and this video was taken in the suburbs near the other end of the line.

[@Dazzalinco1]

Ferroequinology driver training maybe?

[@MaximusHandimus]

in an alternate reality where chicago is a much smaller city

[@Unknown_Bread]

The desc said they are being replaced. Not being replaced. Being rebuilt unless you consider f40phm-3 is replacing it which is the same with looks. Unless they ment something else

[@RailsOfTheMidwest]

They where probably just moving them to the yard down there because of a rolling stock shortage

[@randallbanks1589]

I suspect it could be a Metra diagnostic train. Given the sheer volume on this line, between Metra and freight it would be tough to send a Sperry Diagnosis car. I suspect it's possible that the first rail car, a rather old car, could easily have no seats, but lots of diagnosis equipment, with the second car, new one, with computers to go over it all. Given the millage Metra has, this train would run over all the Metra lines, save Metra Electric, saving Metra money, and making it easier since they don't need to schedule a Sperry Car.

[@user-xs7fg3hb1j]

in one of the cars had the bnsf logo meaning it was very old

[@heatherarmstrong6862]

A two-car Metra train very funny Thanks again

[@MLPMaverick89]

Shortest one I saw - 2 car train on Metra Electric Blue Island branch (unless we're not counting that).

[@thephantomeagle2]

I saw a few 1 car trains when I went there in August.

[@jvdm5412]

I think it was a special train request by someone which would explain the speed and that there are only 2 cars

[@davidng2336]

I don't think the locomotives are being replaced yet, but they are being rebuilt.

[@burdizdawurd1516Official]

David Ng that's what I would think. Metra has been a holdout for Screamers all this time, and I know that they are investing in rebuilding the MP36 trash out of alternator "S" types into HEP generator "C" types. The F40PHM is likely going to stay, maybe in New paint but staying none the less. That's not to be confused with the MK F40PHM-2c (1025-1036) which is literally just like the rest of the MBTA fleet, but has an M for some reason. Long live the Screamers, y'all have it lucky out there. #shutdowntheGeneseeandWyoming at www.railfandetector.weebly.com

[@davidng2336]

burdizdawurd1516 Many of the MP36PH-3S locomotives have been rebuilt now. I'm pretty sure all of those will be rebuilt, to the point where it will be like if the MP36PH-3S never existed.

[@priority6885]

burdizdawurd1516 I wonder how the F40PH-M (2M I think, but idk) will look like in the new paint job! Also what do you prefer, the old or new? In myopic ion I like both paint jobs!

[@RamonInNZ]

I always wondered why Metra went originally with the S model when everyone else went with the C model!

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

As far as this one, I've got to wonder if it's a PTC test train.

[@stefanianichini6320]

I have never seen a train that sort

[@101southsideboy]

i seen some 1/2's of the old Metra electric trains when they used to use the maintenance yard at the IC/Cn Homewood yard

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

0:50 you might have the wrong lights on

[@RailBrothersProductions]

I've only seen A Train that short in Lockport Illinois

[@GTAGrinderOnline]

Maybe the rest of the passenger cars were uncoupled from the engine by mistake

[@msfullpackage]

That’s the smallest train because it might be in a rush hour Edit: I was wrong, it is a metra test train.

[@josephnadler5521]

The Amtrak train pulls over the crossing and suddenly the little train shoots around the curve and through the station at like 80mph or something like that

[@ALL-bj7mj]

They are not being replaced, with large amounts of F40s still running from the mid 70s to early 1980s those would go first....these were built from 1991-1993....

[@bootednancy]

Since the train did not stop, it could have been a shop car or equipment move, not necessarily a revenue run. In the days of BN and CB&Q, one bi-level and a HEP E-8a or one bi-level and a "generator" heavyweight coach with a non HEP E-8 were common on off-peak trains...........no big need to hump a 6 or 8 car set of equipment out to Aurora and back for the small traffic.

[@wicky201]

Training for new engineers?

[@gerardogandara2091]

Ye

[@metraforce441]

the shortest one I saw had 1 car

[@nancyhernandez7833]

Same

[@brianfalzon6739]

Awesome

[@oct197.]

Every Metra I've seen had 3 -12 cara

[@masonbriska]

If it’s that short it wouldn’t stop which it didnt

[@michaelglass4701]

Looooove your video.

[@inconspicuous_ox]

Shortest I see is 6 most I've seen is 12

[@daredneckskwad9917]

Sarah Warner thanks

[@noahknowstrains9640]

I’ve seen one like that

[@Astr0_Feline]

Maybe it’s for test run

[@ts19sfx261]

0:51 idiot left his marker lights on lol

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

Do they ever run trains with one car?

[@wojak_000]

No They can not derail dud

[@rockisland4506]

Metra Equipment move or PTC test

[@monty_something5887]

that looks like thomas annie and clarabel

[@CrazyDash9]

Wait. That’s illegal

[@fabiocarvalhodasilvaazeved2885]

Like GTA San Andreas Brown Streak.

[@MegaChallanger]

will these get an internal rebuild and wear the lighting paint scheme? or will there soon be no more sloped f40 noses?

[@therookie9276]

MegaChallanger They're called F40PHM-2's. They were built sometime around 1989, so they have a couple more years to serve.

[@MegaChallanger]

im already familiar with the name, I was just wondering if these units are being rebuilt or if they are being scraped. I heard that #200 will be the first to go.

[@johnw.3565]

they retired those 2 cars

[@sm8000]

Longer than the train shown on the Ventra app 😁

[@videomaker133]

Didn't they violate the crossing horn law?

[@ClearToRailfan]

Thevideomaker133guy quiet zone which means it's prohibited to blow horns through a certain area

[@johnw.3565]

why was that metra train 2 cars

[@eastamericantrains589]

John W. It was a dead head move. That means the cars are defective or are needed somewhere else.

[@priority6885]

East American Trains Possibly being moved for a different company! A lot of companies like Caltrain train and other companies (I forgot the rest) are buying the bi-levels from Metra.

[@jonbowlerbowler7366]

Caltrain does not look short cars

[@daredneckskwad9917]

What is the metra locomotive with the sloped front called?

[@jettalady1985]

Da Idiot Skwad charger

[@PrimeMoverRailfanProductions]

It's called an F40PHM-2. These locomotives however are being rebuilt to an F40PHM-3.

[@josephnadler5521]

At 1:38 enter express train

[@QuarioQuario54321]

I have yet to see 1 car

[@Papascoffs]

No horn thru the crossing?

[@BNSF1848]

Newflyer 8008 the BNSF Racetrack is a quiet zone from Aurora to Chicago

[@alexlorenz4103]

Probably just moving equipment around

[@rockisland4506]

3:24 little kid with camera

[@RC.EST16]

What?

[@majastachnik4306]

the shortest one i saw was 0 cars!

[@majastachnik4306]

it was the void