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Today, Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corp. (Metra) will officially unveil new passenger cars and locomotives designed to boost the passenger railroad’s rolling-stock efficiency.



Metra plans to take delivery of 300 stainless-steel bi-level cars by 2005 and 27 higher-horsepower locomotives through March 2004. The orders totaling $500 million are one of the industry’s largest-ever rolling stock procurements, according to a prepared statement.



In February, Nippon Sharyo began supplying the cars — at a rate of 10 per month — which will enable Metra to add trains on its north central and southwest service lines.



MotivePower is supplying the locomotives, which are designed to increase acceleration and fuel capacity. Metra plans to take delivery of 21 locomotives by year end and six by March 2004.



The railroad expects to distribute 15 power units on its Milwaukee District routes. Five locomotives would be used to support service increases and the rest have yet to be designated.