Will Chicago ever meet up with milwaukee?? (Kankakee, Chester: living in, train)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

The elevated trains are operated by the CTA, and look like this: http://www.chipotlefan.com/blog/uplo...ain-746619.jpg

Except most don't have Chipotle ads on them. No, most have i-Pod ads from five years ago.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Drover

Technically they're all electric, the difference being whether the electricity is generated on board via a generator or delivered via overhead wires.

Bill Nye, ladies and gentlemen....

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Except most don't have Chipotle ads on them. No, most have i-Pod ads from five years ago.

I knew someone would jump on that. I searched for a picture and, truth be told, that wasn't the first one that popped up. I looked for a picture with just that certain je ne sais quoi.... and it reminded me that I have a Chipotle gift certificate.

[Lookout Kid]

I was just trying to make a joke about the faded iPod "shadow" ads... They were really really cool--in 2003!!

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Drover

Technically they're all electric, the difference being whether the electricity is generated on board via a generator or delivered via overhead wires.

I actually didn't realize this fact until quite recently. I think I saw it on a Discovery Channel train show. Apparently its a lot more efficient (less wasted energy) to have a diesel engine generate electricity which then is used to drive the wheels. The diesel motor actually has no physicial connection to the electric motors which provide propulsion (other than wiring).

[Drover]

mmmmmmChipotle.......

[Drover]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

I actually didn't realize this fact until quite recently. I think I saw it on a Discovery Channel train show. Apparently its a lot more efficient (less wasted energy) to have a diesel engine generate electricity which then is used to drive the wheels. The diesel motor actually has no physicial connection to the electric motors which provide propulsion (other than wiring).

Parallel-hybrid systems like diesel-electric locomotives derive most of their efficiency gains in stop-and-go type of situations (making them ideal for Metra-type use), whereas trains tend to run at steady speeds. So I don't know how much efficiency gains are made by using this setup for long-distance hauling.

The bigger issue where trains are concerned is the narrow RPM band that diesel engines (and ICE engines in general) operate in and the need to use different torque multiplications for different phases of the power delivery between getting something moving from a stop and keeping it up to speed -- in other words, the need for a transmission. There's simply no way to make a transmission small enough and strong enough to handle the load needed to get a train moving and keep it moving. Hence the use of electricity to regulate the power delivery to the wheels.

GM was a big player in the locomotive business until they sold off their locomotive division recently. I'm guessing this is where they got the idea for the Chevy Volt driveline.

[Milwaukee City]

Wisconsin wants to spend federal money fast: Associated Press Business News - MSN Money

Jim Doyle wants to increase rail usage between Milw and Chi and start up the KRM line between the two cities as well

[chitown3pa]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

They can keep Benton Harbor.

We'll take GR though. That's a cool little metropolis right there. Is Grand Rapids considered to be part of the Michiana region?

[city414]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

There are two different rail systems in the Chicago area. The elevated trains are operated by the CTA, and look like this: http://www.chipotlefan.com/blog/uplo...ain-746619.jpg They are only in the city of Chicago and a few inner ring suburbs (Oak Park, Evanston, etc)

Metra operates heavy rail commuter trains that go into far-flung suburbs, including Kenosha. Those trains look like this:
http://www.photosbystevenjbrown.com/...03_chicago.jpg (at least most do. Most are diesel, but there are some electric trains.)

no i was saying they can have a metra type train system but elevate it if possible in many areas of urbaness