Metra's 600 horsepower SW-1 sits in the Blue Island Burr Oak yards, at home since it was a former Rock Island unit and originally built for the Illinois Central. Now METX 1, the crew watches as Iowa Interstate train BICB (Blue Island - Council Bluff's begins to work power as the train heads west out of the yards for a quick trip over CSXT trackage rights to Ottawa, Illinois.
Compare the 600 horsepower to lead General Electric Evolution Series 511, an ES44ACs , which ''amps in'' at 4400 HP.
STEVE SMEDLEY PHOTO
