Metra had an opportunity decades ago to acquire lock stock and barrel the Harvard and Kenosha lines for a song. I think was shortly after the UP acquired the lines from the CNW.
Metra got greedy or stupid because they said include the Geneva line or they’d take none at all. UP of course declined to sell their mainline and become just a tenant. They were willing to continue operating that line for Metra.
The same old urination contest.
Well it will go to court it seems.
Does the prospective establishment of Northern Illinois Transit affect this?
Yes and there are two bills dealing with this down in Springfield.
Looks like an improvement. Especially an integrated fare system. No more having to have two tickets just to transfer from one mode to another. About time.
It’s a smart move by the UP. They pretty much have to shut down their railroad for six hours a day five days a week.
Not really. The line is three tracked and they can run freights on the middle track. I don’t believe they run any Metra trains on that track as it has no platforms. Corrections welcome if someone has better info.
I thought the many expresses used that middle track, as did any reverse moves to/from Chicago during the times locals were active on the platform tracks.
I think you are thinking of the Burlington line. UP West has three tracks, but Metra/CNW scoots have used only the outer two for many years (60?) and UP freight uses all three (during the morning and evening rush only center track).
I think you are right.
When I used to run to Clinton regularly, the Proviso crews did talk of a Metra curfew. They talked of being held out west of the commuter zone until the worst of the rush was over.
This may have applied only to certain trains. Back then there were a lot more trains, especially coal trains.
Jeff
As someone that deals with Chicago interchange, I can tell you that the UP shuts itself down during rush. And if the train has plug doors in its consist, forget about it.
As someone who can actually view the UP West tracks at most any time of the day, I can say that freight does run, even in the morning and evening slots when Metra runs more commuter trains. You may interchange traffic on the CSX (or whatever rail you are currently employed with) but I doubt if you can actually see what is happening on UP West.
I should do a count on the Monday afternoon rush.
UP freight movements do occasionally interfere with Metra. If the agreement goes through UP will own the tracks still but Metra will maintain and operate.
Please do Charlie. I’ve seen freights on the UP-W during rush but I’ve never counted them since I live downtown. So I don’t know if it’s one, two, several or many. Be interesting to hear your report. Thanks.
I’m 25 miles west so I will do a freight count from 5 to 7 pm.
Actually, I have the UP dispatcher screens my office, do you? Doubt all you want, but as usual you are incorrect. I’ll take my 5 day a week and conversation with the UP dispatch over your “count”.
This article seems to indicate freight traffic on the newly built third main where it was two tracks before with only Metra in the past.
Welcome more data.
Do whatever you want.