Metra Cancels Four Weekday Trains on UP Northwest Line For Tie Work Beginning Aug. 4
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Outbound Metra commuter train. David C. Lester Photography.
CHICAGO –– Metra's weekday train schedules on the UP Northwest Line will be slightly reduced for about 1.5 months because of Union Pacific tie replacement work.
The reduction will be four trains each week, beginning August 4 and running through Sept. 20. During this period, thousands of ties will be replaced on the line.
Jim Derwinski, CEO and Executive Director of Metra, said “Tie replacement is essential maintenance on the railroad, and this project is no exception. Temporarily canceling a few select midday trains will help prevent congestion on the UP Northwest Line that could create more significant delays throughout the day.”
Union Pacific will be working on a 24-mile-long zone between Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood and Barrington. Tie replacement will take place on all three tracks on the line. Expected delays for all trains is approximately 10 minutes, while midday trains could be delayed up to 30 minutes.
The specific train reductions will be cancelation of two inbound and two outbound midday trains for the duration of the project. Inbound Train #648, the 11:45 a.m. departure from Crystal Lake, and Train #654, the 2:45 p.m. departure from Crystal Lake, will not operate during the construction period. Outbound Train #621, the 9:35 a.m. deparature from Chicago, and Train #627, the 12:35 p.m. departure, will also be canceled.
