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FrontRunner Commuter Rail Cars

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This page was last updated on September 13, 2024.

Overview

In April 2008, UTA introduced the state's first commuter rail line, FrontRunner. The line connects Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties with stations in Salt Lake City, Woods Cross, Farmington, Layton, Clearfield, Roy, Ogden and Pleasant View. Each station has connections to UTA's bus system and park and ride lots.

The connection between Salt Lake City and Provo, known as Frontrunner South, began operations in December 2012.

Unlike TRAX, which is powered by overhead electrical wires, Frontrunner is a push/pull diesel locomotive system complete with bi-level cab cars and refurbished single-level vehicles. FrontRunner can travel up to 79 miles per hour along the 44-mile corridor.

FrontRunner Cars

November 28, 2004
UTA spokesman Justin Jones said a facility for maintaining and storing commuter train cars will be constructed in the near future as part of that Ogden-to-Salt Lake project. That service center will be located at the site of an old Union Pacific Depot, near Warm Springs Road and 700 North. "It is an old building," Jones said. "We are currently working on refurbishing it. It was in disrepair so we've made some changes to it, but it will be part of the commuter rail construction." (Deseret Morning News, November 28, 2004)

On UTA's FrontRunner, the bi-level Bombardier cab cars are numbered in the 100-series, the passenger cars are numbered in the 200-series, and the former New Jersey "Comet" single-level cars are numbered in the 300-series.

In late March 2011 UTA was operating the Frontrunner North line with five or six locomotives, and 15 to 18 bi-level cars, about a third of its total fleet, which was listed as consisting of 18 locomotives, 38 bi-level coaches, and 25 refurbished older cars purchased from New Jersey Transit. (Deseret News, March 28, 2011)

March 2011
"A new 45-mile rail line from Salt Lake City to Provo is also under construction. UTA has ordered 18 bi-level regional railcars and 11 locomotives for this service." (Progressive Railroading, March 2011, page G11)

For the under-construction Frontrunner South service, UTA commissioned 10 Motive Power MPXpress locomotives, 10 Bombardier Bi-level cab cars and eight Bombardier Bi-level passenger cars for use on the FrontRunner South line. Additionally, 10 Comet single level passenger cars, refurbished by Bombardier, will also be used on the line.

Metra Cars

July 30, 2004
UTA received the first 10 of a total of 30 cars from Chicago's Metra transit agency. The cars came from Chicago, and had been in service in the Chicago area as late as 45 days previously. Chicago offered to cars at no charge to other transit agencies after receiving the last of a batch of 107 new cars. The cars were part of what is known as a "Federal Transfer of Assets", from one federally-funded project to another. While the cars were free, the cost of moving them to Utah was $1,200 per car. (Deseret News, July 30, 2004)

May 22, 2005
The following comes from the May 22, 2005 issue of the Chicago Daily Herald newspaper.

Metra selling old train cars for a buck -- Bargain hunters on eBay never had it this good: Commuter rail systems in Nashville, Tenn., and suburban Virginia got dozens of ex-Metra, bi-level cars for a dollar apiece. Compared to the Utah Transit Authority, which is building a new commuter rail line in Salt Lake City, they overpaid. The UTA got 30 Metra cars for free. The bargain-basement sale opened in 2000, when Metra began taking delivery of 300 new, stainless steel bi-level cars. That project cost $400 million -- or about $1.3 million per car. Two years later, Metra began phasing out 219 of its oldest cars, some of which dated from the 1950s and '60s, but found no takers. The alternative, officials said, was either to scrap them or to give them away.

"What's no longer useful to Metra is certainly useful to a smaller organization," spokesman Dan Schnolis said. "These cars did have some serviceable, usable life left, and our agreement with the FTA (Federal Transit Administration) is that if they have some life left in them, then the cars can be given to another railroad." FTA spokesman Paul Griffo said even though that's true, Metra could have disposed of the cars as it saw fit. But when a transit agency agrees to transfer cars to another agency, and those cars were either bought or refurbished with federal funds, then the transfer price must be free, Griffo added. Metra officials said the sale let them avoid an estimated $25,000-per-car scrapping cost.

May 23, 2005
As of May 23, 2005, UTA's fleet for its projected FrontRunner service consisted solely of, "30 Used Heavy Rail Passenger Cars - UTA acquired these vehicles from Chicago's METRA system at no cost and will be used to provide extra capacity on UTA's future commuter rail system." (UTA Fleet document, May 23, 2005)

After removing the truck assemblies, five of the ex-Metra cars were being scrapped during early 2008, with the last of the five cars completed during April 2009. (Railroad.net, January 23, 2008; May 3, 2009, reported by Lew Jeppson)

The remaining Metra cars were to have their truck assemblies removed and used as part of the refurbishment program for the Comet cars, and what remained would be scrapped. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 1, 2008)

In April 2009, 13 former Metra cars (11 coaches and 2 cab cars) were returned to Metra, and were returned to service in the Chicago area. Among the cars returned to Metra were 7787, 7788, 7789, 7791, 7794, 7795, 7801, 7804, 7806, 7810, 7811, 8738, and 8743; all of which still had METX reporting marks.

April 2014
"Concerning the Metra cars that UTA had for Frontrunner service. At least 10 have now been rebuilt and are back in service on Metra with their old numbers (7787, 7788, 7794, 7795, 7801, 7804, 7806, 7810, 7811, 8748). 7789 and 7791 have not been seen yet, but since the latest rebuild to enter service was 7795 in January, they might yet reappear. There is a bit of a mystery, though. Supposedly cab car 8743 was sent back also, however it has not been seen, but 8749, which was at UTA but not on the return list, has been, so it appears 8743 was swapped for 8749." (Andre Kristopans, email dated April 9, 2014)

Bombardier Cars

August 3, 2005
"Canada-based Bombardier Transportation has received a firm order from the Utah Transit Authority for 12 Bombardier Bi-level commuter rail vehicles that will be used between Weber County and Salt Lake City in a first phase. The contract is valued at about $29 million. Delivery is expected between June and October 2006. Future phases will expand the commuter rail from Brigham City to Payson. The contract includes an option for up to 23 additional cars. Bi-level cars are used by 11 public transit authorities across Canada and the United States." (Deseret News, August 3, 2005)

July 22, 2006
UTA's first car from Bombardier was delivered to UTA's Warm Springs Rail Service Center on July 22, 2006. The car had left Bombardier's facility in Plattsburg, New York, on July 13th, and arrived for interchange to UP at Chicago on July 18th.

August 2006
UTA took delivery of its first FrontRunner commuter cars in August 2006. The cars were moved into the Warm Springs facility upon arrival for final inspection and acceptance by personnel of both UTA and the builder Bombardier. (Trainorders.com, September 6, 2006)

April 2007
Bombardier Transportation signed a contract with UTA to rebuild both light rail and commuter rail cars for UTA, using space provided at the Warm Springs facility. In addition to completing work for UTA, Bombardier Transportation will be allowed to lease space that will allow it to perform contract work for other transit agencies. (Deseret news, April 18, 2007; April 20, 2007)

February 1, 2010
"An order of eight new Bombardier bi-level coaches (212-219) and ten new Bombardier bi-level cab cars (112-121) are planned for delivery at Warm Springs (UP's North Yard in SLC) between now an the end of June." (Utah Railroading Yahoo discussion group, February 1, 2010)

Comet Cars

The Utah Transit Authority purchased 25 retired Comet coaches (known as "Comet I") from New Jersey Transit for its FrontRunner commuter rail project despite having acquired 30 former Chicago Metra galley cars which were already on the property. The Metra cars were no longer part of the current commuter rail project, UTA official Steve Meyer told Rail Transit OnLine. UTA had purchased the NJT Comet cars and would be rehabilitating them for use on the Weber County-to-Salt Lake City route. UTA spokesman Justin Jones said the Metra double-deckers were obtained at no cost (other than shipping) and, at the time they were available, were the best means to provide the necessary passenger capacity for the project. When the Comets became available, "they were found to be a more cost effective solution to meeting our needs," said Jones, adding, "The Metra gallery cars may still be utilized by UTA in the future as passenger demand on our commuter rail system increases." The single-deck Comets, which were withdrawn from revenue service in New Jersey in January 2006, were built by Pullman in 1972 and overhauled by Bombardier in 1986. Their overall condition is considered good. They were to be stored in New Jersey, where they were to remain until a rehabilitation contract was awarded. (Rail Transit Online, January 1, 2007)

Comet Cars Before UTA Service

Between 1971-1973, The Erie-Lackawanna Railroad and New Jersey Department Of Transportation began to take delivery of a revolutionary fleet of commuter passenger cars. The Pullman-Standard built, all aluminum body "Dieseliners" that became known to locals as "Comet" cars used HEP (Head End Power) to provide lighting and climate control. The 155 cars (35 cab cars, 110 trailer coaches, and 10 bar cars) had low platform only doors without trapdoors and worked on the Pascack Valley, Bergen/Main/Port Jervis, and Boonton Lines to the Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey. When later series were introduced, they would become known as "Comet Is". Some of the fleet was rebuilt with high-level platform capable doors, but all were out of service with NJ TRANSIT by 2009. A second life was found for some on Metrolink, SEPTA, and Utah Transit Authority - UTA. UTA announced that the last of these cars will be removed from service as of today, Monday April 18, 2022. (Marc Glucksman/River Rail Photo)

June 19, 2007
A special train of 29 former New Jersey Transit "Comet" cars left storage in Ontario, en route to their new owner, UTA, in Utah. The special train was seen passing through Rochelle Illinois on June 23, 2007. A list of the cars being moved included BDLX 1602, 1604, 1605, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1710, 1711, 1714, 1715, 1718, 1723, 1724, 1727, 1731, 1732, 1734, 1735, 1736, 1750, 1751, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1760. (Trainorders.com, June 19, 2007)

The cars carried BDLX reporting marks, which according to several comments and messages posted to Railroad.net in 2004 through 2006, stands for Big Dog Leasing Company, a leasing subsidiary of RMDI, which itself is an acronym for Ronald M. Delivan Industries in Pittston, Pennsylvania, a company that has purchased railroad cars and locomotives from several transit agencies and railroad companies, for the purpose of rebuilding and resale.

July 1, 2008
UTA purchased 25 cars from the New Jersey Transit agency. Known as "Comet" cars, for the service they were used for in New Jersey, the cars were purchased for $35,000 each, a total of $875,000 compared to $2.2 million for new additional bi-level cars purchased from Bombardier. UTA planned to refurbish 15 of the cars, at a cost of $400,000 each. Four Comet cars had already been refurbished, but were being stored until ridership was expected in the fall. All 25 Comet cars were to be refurbished under contract by Bombardier to add to the capacity of UTA's existing fleet of 20 Bombardier bi-level cars. The cars were built by Pullman in the early 1970s. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 1, 2008; Fox13 local news, July 1, 2008; Wired blog network, July 1, 2008; ABC 4 news, September 17, 2008; KSL.com, September 18, 2008)

September 8, 2008
The former NJT Comet cars refurbished by Bombardier entered service on Monday September 8, 2008. A test run using an unrepainted Comet car was completed on July 20, 2008. By July 18, 2008, four Comet cars had been refurbished.

The UTA Comet cars were numbered from 301 to 325, with an A or B suffix denoting which end of the car was being viewed.

In April 2009, UTA leased ten (302, 305, 309, 310, 313, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320) former New Jersey Transit Comet cars to MetraLink in Los Angeles, pending the arrival of new cars for MetraLink later in 2009. All ten cars had never been used in regular UTA service and had been stored at Becks both before and after the lease to Los Angeles. The ten cars were returned to UTA in Utah in March 2011.

(These 10 Comet cars had been refurbished by Bombardier in 2008 but had not entered UTA revenue service. The cars had received the UTA brand markings and vinyl wrapping after being refurbished prior to being wrapped and sent to Los Angeles.) (UTA's buses and light rail vehicles are vinyl-wrapped, but the Frontrunner cars and locomotives are painted. The Comet cars were the only Frontrunner equipment that received vinyl wrapping.)

Ridership on UTA's Frontrunner trains fell sharply with the worldwide COVID pandemic in 2020. Prior to 2020, the common Frontrunner train included a locomotive and four cars (one Comet car, and three Bombardier bi-level cars). On March 19, 2020 Frontrunner trains were changed from four cars, to three cars (one Comet car and two Bombardier cars). Train frequency was changed from every 30 minutes, to every 60 minutes. On August 23rd, on UTA's regular "Change Day," and although ridership was still as little as 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels, Frontrunner trains were returned to their previous four-car consists that included a single Comet car.

With maintenance costs for the Comet cars continuing to increase, the decision was made to retire the fleet of 25 cars. The last day of regular service was on April 18, 2022. Although the fleet had been retired in April, two cars were taken out of retirement for a projected peak ridership weekend for the "Warriors over the Wasatch" Air Show at Hill Air Force Base on June 27 and 28, 2020. This was the final run for UTA's Comet cars.

By 2022, although they had been refurbished prior to entering UTA Frontrunner service in 2007, the Comet cars were 50 years old, with high maintenance costs, much more than the newer Bombardier bi-level cars.

UTA wrote the following in the invitation to bid.

Utah Transit Authority recently removed the commuter rail Comet cars from regular service as of April 18, 2022. This was due to the 1970 Comet cars having mechanical issues, aging issues, reliability issues, and lack of parts being manufactured.

The Comet cars were initially put into a reserve capacity for large community events or unexpected spikes in ridership. However, it has become too great of a logistical and financial burden to continue servicing these vehicles. So in order for UTA to apply for federal grants to purchase newer rail cars, we need to auction off the Comet cars.

In mid October and early November 2022, UTA auctioned off all 25 Comet cars to the highest bidders. Thirteen cars were movable and received higher bids. The remaining 12 cars had been out of service since returning from Los Angeles in 2011, and received lower bids. They were purchased for their scrap value, and were to be scrapped on site at UTA's Becks storage yard at 1800 North in Salt Lake City.

13 cars were located at UTA's Warm Springs shop and were sold as movable, with successful bids varying from $10,000 to $20,000 each: UTA #301, 304, 306, 307, 308, 312, 314, 318, 319, 321, 322, 324, 325
12 cars were located in UTA's storage yard at 1800 North (Becks) and were sold as unmovable, with successful bids varying from $2,300 to $2,600 each. Four cars (UTA #303, 311, 320, 323) were stored at Becks still on their trucks; Eight cars (UTA #302, 305, 309, 310, 313, 315, 316, 317) were at Becks off their trucks and sitting on pavement. (Comet cars 303 and 323 had been used as parts sources)

The 13 Comet cars sold at auction in November 2022 were moved to temporary storage on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in Abilene and Enterprise, Kansas. The special movement of 13 cars was interchanged from UTA to BNSF on August 31, 2023, and arrived at Abilene on September 4th. The cars were marked for their new owner, Heritage Rail Management (HRMX), a subsidiary of American Heritage Railways. American Heritage Railways had signed an agreement in November 2022 with Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad to improve their tourist train operations, and the 13 former UTA Frontrunner Comet cars were part of that agreement.

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