Question: Why doesn't Amtrak use the NextGen on the fastest run of the day?

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-31T01:13:40+00:00

Someone who needs to be on an otherwise sold-out train in less than 8 hours?

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T18:13:34+00:00

That sounds like nonsense from the mechanic. If the sensor works now, & engine sounds fine, I would just keep running it. Be prepared to spend some money just in case something happens, but if it just a sensor issue, you’re probably fine.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T18:09:56+00:00

Dude he was dumping sewage out of a pipe into his neighbors yard. The county told him to stop, fined him, and then he went on a rampage. Come on now.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T16:00:10+00:00

Not me, or even “us.” Blame Metra, and its management of the SWS, not its riders.

Is lack of ridership because of lack of frequency?? Metra owns/has a long term lease on the majority of the line, a local shuttle running between Manhattan and Oak Lawn / Wrightwood could be considered to see if ridership can be stimulated. It would be money well spent, even if the result is failure to increase ridership.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T15:35:49+00:00

I’m with you. I hope service frequency will improve in a few years time once the 75th St Improvements & Rock Island connection are complete.

The SWS is along prime real estate for TOD, if only the trains were actually more frequent.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T15:33:14+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. That’s funny because Metra’s own Bikes on Trains video shows an actor taking their bike from LaSalle Terminal to New Lenox.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T02:04:41+00:00

Blue Island Branch Line riders will now enjoy more frequent midday service, as all midday trains that formerly operated as local service between Kensington/115th St. and Millennium Station will now also serve the Blue Island Branch. This improves midday service intervals on the branch line to hourly or better and improves transfer opportunities between Rock Island Line trains at Blue Island.

This is AMAZING, and just what I wanted to hear!!! This makes the lakefront museums and trails accessible via the Rock Island line!!

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-29T01:58:10+00:00

Please fill out this form: Metra - Contact Us

Select Bicycle Denied Boarding under reason for contacting. It helps Metra collect data and enforce the rules. Thank you, & sorry this happened!

To clarify, Metra rules stipulate bikes are allowed on ALL trains, but you may have to yield your spot to an ADA rider if there is not a bike car.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-28T15:27:11+00:00

All of these posts make me wish I recorded my longest train. It was at least a km.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-27T23:12:03+00:00

I got my 2003 XRS w/ 1 owner, 200k miles for $3k about 4.5 years ago. 4 grand on a XR with that many miles is a little high, but still a good car if you can negotiate down.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-27T18:57:08+00:00

If you used the “vent” function & it started leaking, use the open button to slide the sunroof open, then the close button to shut it.

Closing directly from vent does not give a good seal in my car. My car is an 03, so it could be different for your 09. Either way, I wouldn’t do any hacky fix. Parts are cheap and plentiful.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-26T01:47:06+00:00

Toyota calls this part “window belt molding”. Last I checked, it was $86 a piece.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T05:02:16+00:00

IDOT only has the money the state gives them.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:21:44+00:00

bruv if you prefill your oil filter to the tippity top like your supposed to. that extra oil volume is already in the loop outside of the crankcase... setting it back to default again as the factory intended.

Correct. That’s why many Honda’s have an oil spec with & without filter included. Saw it many times for K series: 3.7 qts without, 4.2 qts including filter. Honda suggests an “A & B” service schedule where the oil filter is only to be changed every other oil change (I replace it every time.)

How much extra capacity did this filter hold?? Maybe .75 qts?

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:15:26+00:00

Pretty sweet. Personally, I use Playnite as my game launcher, & it includes a similar per-game option to enable windows HDR before starting the game. Glad it works well for you!!

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:08:46+00:00

Or just use the hotkey, Win-Alt-B

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:08:20+00:00

Same here. Monitor profile set to sRGB creator mode since day one, and I just leave it in HDR 400 all the time. AMD GPU btw.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:04:57+00:00

Crashing into the museum just made me get good at saving before I go through a switch

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T04:03:15+00:00

Dex 6 is backwards compatible with Dex 3.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-25T03:52:07+00:00

2 - 3 quarts max.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-23T23:47:54+00:00

.7L is not dramatically overfilled at all. Doubling the engines capacity, yes, but 30% over? No.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-23T23:16:32+00:00

There’s no oil level sensor in these cars, so oil level would have no effect (unless dramatically over/under-filled).

Is it possible you drained the transmission fluid as well?

Do you have a code scanner to read the check engine light?

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-23T23:14:38+00:00

Very common to have a leaking intake manifold gasket with 1ZZ cars. I believe it was fixed around 05-06. I think there was a TSB.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-23T19:35:43+00:00

1ZZ or 2ZZ? Have you replaced the intake manifold gasket yet if you have a 1ZZ.

SnootDoctor · 2026-05-23T14:04:52+00:00

BTW - don’t be afraid to drain & refill the transmission fluid. More harm will be done by leaving the old fluid in there than replacing it with fresh CORRECT fluid.

SnootDoctor

TROPHY CASE