BNSF Metra train #1206 derailed this morning shortly after 5am at the East Naperville Interlocker on the BNSF Chicago Sub (East End). #1206 originated at Hill Yard in Aurora and was proceeding on main track #2 with equipment and crew only to its first stop Fairview Avenue at 5:39am. Only the cab car derailed and it remained upright. No injuries were reported. The main 1-2 switch sustained heavy damage on main #2. Here’s a link to a picture of the switch damage:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CauVzyGW0AAXCYI.jpg:large
BNSF Metra inbound trains were delayed for up to sixty minutes and outbound trains only operated as far as Lisle during the morning rush.
The derailed cab car from #1206 was rerailed @9:30. #1206 was released from the scene at 10:50 and sent to Chicago with a 25mph speed restriction. Main tracks #1 (north main) and #2 remained closed for most of the day from E Eola to Lisle due to cleanup and track repair at the E. Naperville plant. Main #3 remained open with a 10mph speed restriction by the E Naperville plant for most of the day. Main #1 was reopened at 4:15 with a 25mph speed restriction. Main #2 was still out of service as of 5pm. Minor delays were expected for the evening rush.
As for the freight trains… It appears that a lot were either held or rerouted if possible. Only a few priority trains and one BRC to Eola transfer, that was already online when the derailment happened, made it through Naperville today. (I would suggest that there’s probably going to be a big surge of freight trains on the BNSF East End tonight!)
If the derailment at Naperville wasn’t enough… There was also a major signal issue at the West Eola plant (CP35) for most of the day. Metra trains