| Highliner | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A Highliner II on left and first-generation Highliner (now retired) on right at University Park. | |
| In service | Highliner: 1971–2016 Highliner II: 2005–present |
| Manufacturer | Highliner: St. Louis Car Company, Bombardier Highliner II: Nippon Sharyo |
| Family name | Highliner Highliner II: Budd Gallery car |
| Constructed | Highliner: 1971, 1978–1979 Highliner II: 2005–2006, 2012–2016 |
| Number built | St Louis: 130 Bombardier: 36 Nippon: 201+ |
| Number preserved | Approx. 24 |
| Number scrapped | Most First Generation cars scrapped, second generation cars still in service |
| Formation | Married pairs |
| Fleet numbers | 1201–1226, 1501–1663 (Metra) 301–314 (NICTD) |
| Operators | Illinois Central, Metra, NICTD |
| Lines served | Metra Electric, South Shore Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Highliner: carbon steel Highliner II : stainless steel |
| Car length | Highliner: 85 feet (25.91 m) Highliner II: 85 feet (25.91 m) |
| Width | Highliner: 10.5 feet (3.20 m) Highliner II: 9.82 feet (2.99 m) |
| Height | Highliner: 15.83 feet (4.82 m) (to roof) Highliner II: 15.87 feet (4.84 m) |
| Floor height | Highliner: 4.298 feet (1.31 m) |
| Doors | Highliner: 1 end vestibule, 2 center Highliner II: 2 center |
| Maximum speed | Highliner: 80 mph (130 km/h) Highliner II: 90 mph (140 km/h) |
| Weight | Highliner: 140,000 lb (64,000 kg) (empty) Highliner II: 148,000 lb (67,000 kg) (empty) |
| Traction system | Highliner II: IGBT-VVVF[1] |
| Traction motors | Highliner: 1258 DC motor (GE) Highliner II: 3-phase 4 pole AC induction motor[1] |
| Power output | Highliner: 150 hp (110 kW) continuous, 160 hp (120 kW) maximum 1-hr rating per motor (4 per car) Highliner II: 200 hp (150 kW) per motor (4 per car)[1] |
| Acceleration | Highliner: 1.36 mph/s (2.19 km/(h⋅s)) |
| Deceleration | Highliner: 1.5 mph/s (2.4 km/(h⋅s)) |
| HVAC | Electric heat, air conditioning |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC overhead lines |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’ |
| AAR wheel arrangement | B-B+B-B |
| Bogies | Highliner: Outboard Bearing GSI 70 |
| Braking system(s) | Pneumatic, dynamic |
| Coupling system | Tomlinson |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Highliner is a bilevel electric multiple unit (EMU) railcar. The original series of railcars were built in 1971 by the St. Louis Car Company for commuter service on the Illinois Central Railroad, in south Chicago, Illinois, with an additional batch later produced by Bombardier. A second generation featuring a completely new design was produced by Nippon Sharyo beginning in 2005.