UP freight strikes Metra train, derails cars

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

A train collision in a West Loop Metra yard Wednesday night is not expected to cause delays for Thursday morning commuters.

According Metra’s Web site, normal service should resume for the morning rush.

Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Metra train No. 839 was stationary in the Metra yard in the 1800 block of Canal Street when a Union Pacific freight train hit the Metra train in front of it, Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.

Six people were taken to local hospitals, including five passengers and the engineer, all in “very good condition,” Langford said.

“It appears to be a minor impact,” Langford said.

The impact caused a couple of cars to derail, Langford said.

Although Metra doesn’t expect any delays from the collision, the agency has already canceled Metra train No. 808 planned to depart Orland Park (179th St.) at 6:49 a.m., according to Metra’s Web site. The Web site stated the train derailment has caused the cancellation.

You can bet somebody is in hot water over this. [:-^]

2

I thought the Metra yards had monitored switched that indicated which direction they were aligned. I went to Chicago a couple of years ago and there was a switchman near a shed monitoring a panel with lights that were yellow and green. It sure seemed that he was controlling the switches. Either that isn’t on all the switches (probably) or the train was routed improperly possibly.

3

thank goodness there were just minor injuries.

stay safe

joe

4

According to the Chicago Tribune, these were UP locomotives (I’ll vouch for that from the TV coverage) being operated by a Canadian National crew. The Metra train was standing still at the time. Don’t have further details, but would love to have the explanation for this one.