Riding the Metra Electric Blue Island Branch
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Though we can't celebrate Metra's 40th anniversary in person, we can celebrate them with a trip report! This video was filmed on the Metra Electric Blue Island Branch. A very regional train, with giant electric double-deckers, that ends up serving Chicago on the city's oldest commuter line. Find out what makes the Blue Island Branch so different from the other Metra lines, especially the electric ones?
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“Metra may be 40 years old, but most of their equipment is even older!” 😂
I love the double-decker stainless steel electric train cars. Iconic.
I’ll love them more when they’re in a museum
@@Thom-TRA maybe they'll buy up GO Transit's 1970s railcars if RM Transit gets his way and they get EMUs to turn the network into something more like syndey trains and not zurich s bahn
@@Thom-TRA Apparently Metra is Retiring some of their Gallery Cars but those that are being retired are the Pullman and Budd Built Gallery Cars, it seems like Morrison-Knudsen/Amerail and Nippon Shiryo ones are staying for a bit longer
Some of the BNSF gallery cars are old enough to be on Medicare.
Thom reminds us that, in 1926, the city of Chicago banned steam locos for commuter trains due to excessive air pollution, forcing rail companies to replace them all with electric locos.
Nineteen twenty-six. Just let that marinate...
ninety eight years ago!
but what about the other non-electric lines?
They started with the (then) biggest, busiest line, the Illinois Central. It already had raised platforms, and six tracks for commuter trains, plus two tracks for intercity passenger trains, plus two tracks for freight. They were pressured into electrifying the commuter lines. By the time that was finished, the depression had started, so the next logical candidates for electrification, the Chicago and North Western and the Burlington, were "spared" from having to electrify. After World War II, those lines (and all the remaining) dieselized.
Electrification is still an intriguing idea!
@@rikkichunn8856 I live on the NW line and always wondered why they didn't electrify it...now I know :D thanks!
We used to be a country of progress, one that demanded the future be better than the past, because anything was possible.
Then the red scare happened. Progress became a bad word, because if you wanted to upend the establishment and all the money they were making, you had to have been a commie.
Happy birthday, METRA! A bargain, indeed. Last Saturday, I drove from Fond du Lac to Kenosha, From there, I rode METRA to Chicago, navigated the Pedway, rode the Electric to Pullman with a side trip to Flossmoor and back to Kenosha, all for $7.00! That's like a nickel a mile.
Great value!
If Metra ends up electrifying other lines (which they should), I wonder what they would rename the Electric District (assuming they do). On my alternate map, I have the District as the Jackson Park Line, and the South Shore Line taking over the Blue Island branch so each serve 2 branches.
That is a great question actually
The “IC District”
The eastern side of the Elizabeth Line in London runs onto the “Electric” lines of the Great Eastern Main Line… only almost all of the tracks and branches are electrified now
@northernidaho5750: I wish METRA would follow suit just like SEPTA of Philadelphia did in electrifying all of their passenger trains since the early 1980s. All diesel powered passenger services were discontinued in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs in the early 1980s.
@@albertcarello619 the whole current Philly network was already electrified before SEPTA became a thing!
I've grew up riding on the Metra Electric, since I was a kid. I started off riding on the South Chicago Branch, from 79th-Cheltenham Station, All the way downtown. And also riding on the main line as well
Same here. Born and raised on 71st and South Shore, the MED(Metra Electric District) was right outside my house. Went to University Park a couple of times to see some of my mom’s friends. Also rode the South Shore Line to South Bend once as well.
@@gregorylparks7304 The METRA ELECTRIC South Chicago Branch is like a trolley line or bi-level light rail line. With the much older cars earlier it sure seemed like an Interurban line.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL HERITAGE UNIT!!!
Worth mentioning that Blue Island was the site of a series of events during the summer of 1894 when on June 29th, rioting broke out in the Blue Island yards of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad after an appearance by the president of the American Railway Union, Eugene Debs, who had given a speech that day in support of the striking workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Pullman. During the riot several buildings were set on fire and a locomotive was knocked off the tracks. After numerous incidents in Blue Island and elsewhere that continued through July 2, Grover Cleveland responded by sending federal troops to Illinois to maintain the peace and to ensure safe mail delivery. Blue Island got its name because the thickly wooded crown of the ridge appeared to float in a sea of blue wildflowers! And Vermont Street got its name because its first permanent settler, Norman Rexford, came from Charlotte in Vermont, named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz just like the famous city in NC!
This reminds me of the LIRR's Greenport Branch. Unlike the Blue Island Branch, the Greenport Branch isn't electrified (yet), but the Greenport Branch is the eastern section of the Ronkonkoma Branch which is electrified up to Ronkonkoma (Hicksville to Ronkonkoma was electrified in 1987), and thus, the Greenport Branch is served by diesel trains with C3 bilevel coaches, and short and accessible platforms. The Greenport Branch gets limited service because it's the last dark territory (no conventional signals) on the LIRR, it's single-tracked from Ronkonkoma all the way to Greenport, the North Fork is sparsely populated compared to the South Fork/Hamptons, and it mainly relies on seasonal tourism like its wineries. Like how Blue Island-Vermont Street is one of Metra's oldest stations as it opened in 1868 before the Blue Island Branch opened in 1892, Greenport is one of the oldest stations on the LIRR as it opened in 1844. Greenport is the easternmost station on the LIRR's Main Line from Long Island City to Greenport, and the Main Line is the original line! Originally service to Greenport was envisioned as a vital link in the rail-boat-rail connection between NYC and Boston. They thought the hills of New England were impassible for a rail line, and so Long Island was the solution. For this link, the LIRR briefly had steamboats going to Stonington and Ledyard in Connecticut. This spirit was short-lived, however, as it was in 1848 that the New York & New Haven Railroad, now part of MNR's New Haven Line and Amtrak's NEC, was opened across southern Connecticut! Thus, they turned their attention to serving the people of Long Island and competing with the other railroads on the island, eventually leading to the LIRR network we have today.
I can’t believe a busy system like the LIRR would still have dark territory!
"A timed crossplatform transfer on the metro? I'm speechless!" I LOVE your excitement at 12:05!
I just couldn't believe my eyes haha
METRA seems like a living evolving heritage line.
That’s an accurate description
The ME is a diamond in the rough in terms of Chicago commuter rail. The character of both the branches and main line are great. I've ridden the SSL dozens of times, but i am yet to take the ME. Thanks for the video!
Definitely try it out!
I've long thought that Metra should work with CTA (big ask) and get some some Stadler EMUs for easier boarding/standing room and run trains every 10 minutes (15 off-peak) on the two branches with Metra keeping the main line to University Park. Would be a bit awkward with all the grade crossings on the branches but we see that with the last mile of the Brown Line already and it seems to work. Even better if the Green Line got re-extended to Dorchester for a seamless transfer to the rest of the CTA rail system. I call it the SSRT (South Side Rapid Transit) in my dream but other transit advocacy groups call it the Silver and Gold CTA rail lines.
Another great video, Thom. Thanks riding all the Metra lines that I don't have the time to do.
Man, I wish the Green Line got re-extended back to Stony Island like the old days. If it did then there would be easy transfer between Metra and the Green Line
It’s pretty lame how they just axed that section during the 1993 “renovations”
The electric line should totally be rapid transit. It has all the right pieces for it. Just need people to actually get to work on making things better.
More expensive, but just building a link between the Red Line and Green Line tracks and the Blue Island and South Chicago branches, then converting the latter two to third rail, you could just run them as part of the system. Rebuild the Humboldt Park branch and north Paulina connector and you can run trains from there, through the Loop, and to South Chicago as the Indigo Line, have the Blue Island serve as a branch for the Red Line, or even an extension of the Yellow Line, or use the disused connections between the 95th branch and the Loop and the 63rd branch (which would connect to South Chicago) and the subway to shake up service even more.
Interesting thought here: Brown-Orange through-routed trains could theoretically run through the State Street Subway if they really wanted to avoid additional congestion on the Loop and add more capacity to the subway while not overwhelming the main line north of Belmont...
@@Thom-TRA I know right!!!
The Blue Island line gets lots of use during rush hours, and many high school students use it to commute to Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park.
@JenM5387: I think they should restore some of the service that they discontinued.
My grandparents used to live a few blocks from the Burr Oak station of the Blue Island branch. When I was a kid, my aunt used to take my bothers and me to the Museum of Science and Industry on the IC. Back then, you would buy a ticket with a magnetic stripe that would unlock the turnstile to gain access to the station platforms.
Thank you for this great video ! I too enjoy the sounds of electric motors, and have a very soft spot for the Gallery cars ! The stainless steel exterior is a matter of taste I guess, but to me they seem very practical and are usually looking very clean and smart. I hope you will soon report on a Milwaukee Route line, especially if you can find a train hauled by the superb SD70MACH locos !
I'm a sucker for electric traction as well. Growing up in Australia and having the Met (now called the Metro) as an option for public transportation, I will always have a soft spot for electric trains and EMUs. There's something about the sound when it pulls out of the station that just gives me awesome vibes.
I really do appreciate you giving this line some attention. I've not been on the Blue Island section of the ME line (just the trip from Homewood to downtown) and I'm glad you highlighted it. From your video and seeing it on a single track, it did give kind of that regional feel to the line. And yes, that cross-platform transfer was pretty sweet!
It’s always a great day when Chad comments!
As usual, I found this an informative video! Now, I've learned a lot more about the Metra Electric District, from how local the Blue Island Branch is to how the City of Chicago _forced_ the IC to electrify its commuter rail lines. Now, _that's_ an idea for cities in the US to use in the future.
Thanks for the video!
Let’s electrify some more lines!
@@Thom-TRA, sounds good! In fact, although my home city (San Diego) doesn't seem interested in electrifying the Coaster, our current commuter rail line, I am pleased to tell you that our next commuter rail line, the Purple Line, will be an electrified line. In fact, the Purple Line will be a San Diego Trolley line, but one going up to 110 mph!
Thanks for the video!
For more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Line_(San_Diego_Trolley)
@@SleepTrain456 I had no idea about this!
@@Thom-TRA, I'm glad you learned something from my comment! Maybe, I should make a video about the San Diego Trolley, including this Purple Line!
My mom and my grandma used to use that line to go back and forth to chicago for work
Thank you Thom, you are appreciated!
Aww, thank you!
I grew up right next to the line and could watch the trains from any part of the house. That solar panel farm used to be a freight yard for the Chicago West Pullman & Southern. That short line served the few factories along the line.
Oh man the sound of the motors does sound pretty cool!
Most station platforms I have seen are made of concrete or steel, so the wooden platform shown in the video gives me some special feeling. It looks so antique and classy. That feature is enough to make me wanting to ride the line someday.
There’s a few more on the Electric District that are wooden!
When I was a kid, we visited relatives whose home was on Vermont Street, directly across the end of the line. I can remember seeing clerestory cars with wicker seats sitting at the old station. That station and Harry and Clara's home are all long gone.
Imagine when Metra does Electrify, They just convert their existing EMD Diesels into Electric and/or Dual-Mode Locomotives instead of Buying Sprinters and ALP-45DPs
@mass1208: Part of New Jersey's Transit has dual mode locomotives that can switch between diesel and overhead catenary wires of 11,000 Volts AC 60 Hertz. I believe the change overs take place in Elizabeth New Jersey or Sacaucus Junction.
Great video. Thanks for covering this unusual branchline. EMUs are my favorite too and they offer passengers, communities and agencies so many advantages. Those EMU gallery cars are so weird, but the fact there are EMUs at all in the ye-olde-EMD-gallery car push-pull Metra Universe is definitely a plus. I wish more U.S. commuter rail operators would just go with tried and true overhead electrification instead of playing around with heavy batteries and not so clean and green hydrogen. Maybe GO Transit and Caltrain can offer examples to other U.S. and Canadian systems. I never new Metra stood for Metropolitan Rail.
Nice one Thom! During my week long stay in Chicago back in 1995, the Blue Island Branch of the Metra Electric Lines was on my must-do list. Your coverage in the reverse direction gave me great memories of my journey. Must check out more of your trip reports when time allows.🙂😉🙂
Awesome video of riding on the Metra Electric Blue Island Branch. I also think the motor noise of electric trains are the best as well, especially the motor noise of the Siemens Taurus electric locomotive, the motor noise of the Taurus sounds like a violin when it is beginning to start up imo. I agree that grade separation and electrification are ways to make rail service more efficient, more environmentally friendly and more safer for passengers to travel on. I don’t like it either when some think that doing grade separation and electrification is too hard, too expensive and etc, when in reality, railroads like the Illinois Central did this over a century ago. I would love for Metrolink, Coaster, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, and etc would electrify their trains too, but thankfully I have seen more grade separation being made in SoCal so far, mainly on the Surfline.
Absolutely love the Taurus noise. Did you know the Keikyu 2100 series trains in Japan make a similar noise?
@@Thom-TRA Yep, I heard that those also make similar noises.
This line reminds me a lot of the New Haven Line. It has several feeder branches with timed transfers to the main line. Some continue all the way to Grand Central or connect to express trains. It's a complicated schedule but somehow it works.
Ngl I miss the old male announcements at Metra Stations and in the Railcars.
Have you made a video about the Milwaukee North line yet? That's the line I ride the most and I'd love to see you take a look at it, especially the section west of Rondout.
I’ve briefly covered it in another video, but haven’t made a dedicated video about it yet
I’ve been to Chicago several times yet only rode on two Metra lines, UP-North and Metra Electric. Granted I didn’t go far enough (Evanston and 55th St) but I enjoyed the ride, even if the windows were tinted green and the gallery car still baffles me years after the first time I saw em in person.
I have no idea why they stuck with that green tint for so long.
Great video Thom!! It's sad Metra is getting rid of the Paris Metro entrance at Van Buren Street. They should really save it since it was a gift from Paris. I'm glad I took pictures of it when I was there last year and in 2010!
We really should start a petition to preserve it
In depth detailed video as always.
Appreciate it!
This was a delightful and awesome video about an interesting electrified branch. I really enjoyed the views from the back window and your narrative and information about this unique little line. Awesome!!!
Did you partake in any of the metra celebrations?
@@Thom-TRA no I unfortunately had other plans for today and just heard about the LaSalle Street station festivities this morning. Perhaps I’ll catch it at another station in the upcoming weeks…
1:10 The level crossing at Chicago Union Station looks like the Odakyu level crossing at Shinjuku with both being at the exits of their respective stations.
I never thought about it like that but you’re right!
Awesome informative video as always. I might be biased, but I agree with you on the electric trains 😀
Thanks for this video; one of my favorites rides is the Blue Island branch of the IC.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Yo I just learned that WMATA has increased their fares! I think you should make a short about it :)
They haven’t increased them yet…
Yeah not yet but they’re about to
@@Thom-TRAvery true, but alot of people in the know are complaining because Wmata hasn’t been very public with the price increase.
Who supplies the motors for these trains?
5:25 a blink and you'll miss it look at a track surfacing gang. From left to right: production tamper, Ballast Regulator, and a track stabilizer.
I’m back in Chicago and I was able to ride a couple metra trains and pace buses each for free today. I have plans to visit my friends in Wheaton tomorrow and I’ll be able to ride the train there and back for free which is what I have planned.
Wow! Respect for the video!
I just completed a legal research article about the legal regulation of light rail systems around the world. As one example of a heavy rail system with features and potential of a light rail system, I exampled Chicago Metra Electric Blue Island Branch as well as South Chicago.
I'm an electric train enthusiast, too.
Schedule synchronization and cross-platform transfers are cool, as well as wooden platforms.
But I feel that the line needs more traffic, because 10-12 trains a day on weekdays won't attract passengers at all. Perhaps it would be more expedient to do something like two two-car electric trains, which would circulate along the branch line only as often as possible, with a guaranteed transfer to the main line trains.
It would be like a conventional “shuttle tram”, but with train cars.
I really think the MED would be an excellent candidate for conversion to rapid transit
@@Thom-TRA Well only really the Blue Island and South Chicago Branches, The Main Line should be more like a Regional Rail Line
Hi there! I have an exciting news! There would be a new CTA Gray Line to Blue Island. It would transform the Metra Electric District Blue Island Branch into a CTA Gray Line. It would be cool.
Thanks for this! Caltrain going all electric so that’s pretty cool
I was on the City of New Orleans a few weeks ago. I spotted the old Illinois Central Railroad cars I think somewhere in Mississippi? I took some video
Update- those cars are in McComb. Anyone out there know who owns those vintage cars?
The Train yard south of the Blue Island Branch is the KYD maintenance facility, shortened for Kensington yard which opened in the early 90s.
Speaking of Blue Island which is the faster way the Chicago Loop is it the electric District or the Rock Island line. If they want to Electrify The Rock Island line make it the same voltage as the electric District that way if there is a diversion to have it end at Randolph Street instead of LaSalle Street Terminal. Like it
@EpicThe112: That's a really great idea. Millennium Park is at the heart of the Loop and would be much more popular than LaSalle Street Station.
@albertcarello619 I agree and for metra they need some Dual mode trains if they want commonality with non electrified lines and OHLE failure which forces them to run diesel
"Chicago is home to a lot of things. It is home to the L, ..., and a rolling museum they call Metra" - Alan Fisher, October 2023 in "The worst kind of train station"
at least its a flying rolling musuem?
I can remember when the downtown station was called Randolph St
Metra Electric transfers with Metra Rock Island during rush hours. This allows people from sw burbs to transfer to the Electric into downtown.
@@armylawjag @armylawjag: At one time there was talk of electrifying the METRA Rock Island District. That would really be great as it could connect to the Blue Island METRA ELECTRIC and you could have a one seat ride to Millennium Park.
Couldn’t agree more with what you said about electrification.
It’s ridiculous that the Illinois Central could do it a century ago, yet there’s no serious talks about doing it to the rest of Metra today.
But if it’s billions of taxpayer dollars going to highway projects nobody says a word 🙄
Yep…
I like how Metra and MBTA use the same exact voice and door closing chimes, even though they’re built from completely different companies.
@JoeyLovesTrains: SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL has a female voice that gives details of each station it's going to practically a story about each one they're going to stop at. I never before heard such endless descriptions of each and every station and details. Such as which stations are wheel chair accessible and to watch the gap or your step when exiting the trains.
I didn’t realize the Parisian entrance was going to be torn down until watching this 😢 I love the design of it! When is it expected to be torn down?
I’m not sure exactly when, but I’d say my goodbyes soon
9:20 well said Thom. It can and should be done.
Also, are Metra’s electric locos the same design as the South Shore, san gallery car design?
The south shore has two different types of trains. The bilevel ones are identical to the Metra ones, while the single level trains are a little different.
MED!!!!! THE BEAUTIFUL MED!!!!
Thom @12:06, first time for everything, right, LOL!!😂
Yep!
I've thought that if Metra likes the Stadler DMU's on the Beverley Branches, they get electrics for the electric division and use the Hiliners as cab cars (or just non-powered coaches) so they can retire older gallery cars on the main system and maybe figure out a hierarchy (I'd say BNSF and UP should probably get new trains after the Electric District since they have the highest ridership and keep Gallery Cars on the Heritage Corridor and LaSalle St division aside from the Beverly Branch or to just do the SWS and RI for the potential of more fleet commonality with Stadler equipment on the Beverly Branch and Electric Division where it would make sense to segregate them)
Aren't the Stadler Flirts Low Platform only?
I used the Metra Electric Blue Branch on Saturday, what a coincidence!
Hope you had a good ride!
The train looks ancient even if it's just a couple of years younger than me
Wait, how old are you??
@Thom-TRA I'm 12 sorry to say it's older than me it's younger than me
After 27 June, I will be living within two blocks of the South Chicago branch
Nice!
i don't recall the reason but once i traveled from Joliet to blue island and then transferred to the blue island line
Much love from Hyde Park, Thom!
Thank you! What a nice neighborhood you call home!
I used to visit my uncle in Blue Island from Downtown Chicago. I was shocked to find that it is useless to go from Joliet directly to Chicago. Most of the trains from Joliet go through Blue Island.
Yes, the “Plug” train from Joliet to Chicago used to run only once a day. Now it runs 3x. Still abysmal service.
3:32 That's how they looked under the IC. For what those gen 1 Highliners looked like under Metra, they were silver, with thin orange stripes and a thick blue stripe between the windows. ruclips.net/video/4Or-UFRlDKY/видео.html
This was the same paint scheme used on many of the ex-CNW Pullman coaches that can still be found on the Union Pacific and Milwaukee District lines.
Fantastic video sir, I do hope you are well?
Doing great, thanks!
Always thought the the electric district should’ve got M8s from MNR/SLE or Silverliner Vs from SEPTA/RTD Vehicles but oh well
I think someone could write a fascinating book about the Blue Island Branch. First fun fact: it approaches its terminal at Blue Island on exactly the same angle and position as the Rock Island leaves Blue Island heading toward Joliet. I wonder why that is? Was the IC thinking of absorbing the Rock Island at some point? Second, I notice that much of the land along the Blue Island Branch is undeveloped. As you go westward along the branch, you pass from 1920s homes to undeveloped land. I wonder why. Redlining? Just a little west of there, the Rock Island's Suburban Line passes through some of the wealthiest neighborhoods on the South Side, Beverly Hills and Morgan Park. An area so successful for the railroad that they have stations every half mile!
Feeling inspired? I’d read your book!
13:02 it looked like it was underground until the end of the train
I ride the Blue Island branch regularly to go to work
Nice! How is it?
@@Thom-TRA Works out great. Nice to get a nap in on the way home. Just wish the schedule could return to pre-pandemic where there was an express that goes straight from State Street to 59th street.
Currently coming back from Fox Lake via the Milwaukee District North Line
For free right?
@@Thom-TRA Yep. Mom and I took a ride up to Kenosha once. It was nice.
I enjoyed the video👍👍
I'm glad!
Great video
Thanks!
@@Thom-TRA your welcome
Remote driver cabs go back to the days of steam.I'm not sure how the steam version worked but I am guessing that you'd still need a fireman in the locomotive to shovel the coal.The driver must have had some way to control the speed and breaking of the loco from the front of the train.
The Blue Island Branch had more rush hour trains before the pandemic.
Really
Where are the cars of the Metra Electric system manufactured? Thank you very much.
Nippon Sharyo in Illinois
@@Thom-TRA Thanks for your response and keep up the excellent channel.
When are they getting rid of the Paris metro entrance this summer, do you know?
My childhood route bro.
I remembered that! I hoped you would comment
Whoa an Iowa Interstate locomotive! They are rare.
Yep, Iowa interstate has trackage rights over the Rock Island District
in themidium to long term the red line subay should gain at least a brach down the blue island brach and idealy loop it back via th both the harvey pace transot center o and priareie state colegde to reunite with the new terminal at 130th strret atgeltd gardens station.
Great line. I just wish it were easier to transfer to the northern and western lines.
It’s a shame the downtown stations aren’t connected well
Why does Metra have really bad weekend schedules? I dont really know about Metra but alot of your videos always say how little service there is on weekends. I sometimes thought SEPTA's every 1hr or 2hrs was bad. Also holy crap railroads in Chicago have a ton of grade crossings!!
It’s just because of that “commuter” mindset!
@mapguy: SEPTA REGIONAL ELECTRIC RAIL also has an endless number of street grade crossings in the Philadelphia Suburbs and on the outskirts.
@@albertcarello619 true it just feels like Chicago has a lot more closer to the city center.
I havent seen an unsealed sink in so long
I know right?
More importantly, did it have running water?
@Thom-TRA do you think Metra can do a better job of making sure the Blue Island Branch gets more service and reconstruction?
I think it comes down to just running a consistent schedule all day. I don’t think they need much extra infrastructure, maybe another passing loop could be good.
If you are looking out the back window at 5:36 then that would have been the front of the train when entering the station. Where does the driver sit?
In bi-level cars, the driver's cab is on the upper level.
@@kylepost4 Ah I see, that's an interesting place to put it
Yeah, it’s upstairs!
Unless I'm going blind, there seems to be a whole Xmas display of red and green door indicators on the end of each car - what's the score here? Thanks for the trip \m/
That was the special holiday train!
You sure get around a lot,how do you do it?
I try to travel affordable and meet people where I go
Metra getting rid of the Parisian entrance at Van Buren St. is really sad, but it also comes with a slew of changes that Metra is making, most of which are good like the updated fare map and the new trains on the Beverly branch, but some of the smaller changes really irk me. Metra is replacing all of their bench seating on trains by 2025 and the seats they’re replacing them with are ugly, uncomfortable, and you can’t flip them over if you don’t wanna travel backwards. They’re all one directional now so if you’re taking it outbound train, you have no choice, but to go backwards. I also hate the new robotic announcement voice that Metra debuted in 2021 replacing the original voice which was a pre-recording of an actual person. This isn’t me dumping on Metra as a whole. I still think Metra is a very good system. I still use it whenever I go to the city, because despite those few minor problems, it’s still beats driving into the city in a heartbeat
I do really miss those "the next stop will be..." station announcements. It's night and day the difference between using a real person and using a computerized voice.
I don’t mind the seats getting replaced, I really don’t like the benches (they’re uncomfortable and it’s awkward to share them). But I agree that metra seems to be making some bad changes as trade offs for several of their really good changes.
@@Super-Suchi yeah I don’t know why they changed the next stop announcement. My guess, and this is just a guess, was that it was a cost cutting measure as a result of losing money due to covid, and it was intended to only be temporary but they ended up just keeping it. Either way, it’s been three years since they changed it and I still hate the new voice to this day. You can’t understand what it’s saying because it’s so quiet and it mispronounces the station names. For instance, on the line I take, the MD-W line, it pronounces one of the stops, Medinah, like MAH-DIE-NAH. It’s Medinah, like MED-inah
@@BrennanZeigler I miss the old Male Voices
When will you do another live stream
It was hard to tell, but did the passing siding contain spring switches?
I’m not sure, sorry
@@Thom-TRA no worries! After watching your video again I think they are spring switches. So awesome. Love your videos keep them coming, and if you’re ever in Chattanooga and need a tour guide count me in.
kewl
Metra should run rail service to Cleveland and Cincinnati.
lol that’s so far
What a I don’t get is, Metra has the numbers. They know exactly how economically electric trains are compared to diesel haulage. They operate electric trains but even with those numbers right in front of them, they refuse to electrify any other services (with overhead wires). Instead they keep on refurbishing old EMD locomotives because they are to stubborn to buy anything else.
For how strapped for (operating) money transit services are in the states this refusal to electrify is baffling. Especially considering that capital investment would absolutely be provided by state and feds.
I think the state of Illinois, which has a lot of republicans in its legislature, block most of the progress.
@@Thom-TRA this may be the case, I only ever visited the USA twice.
But Metra isn't the only one even Boston MBTA runs Diesel on the NEC.
"Now it's time for a washroom review! ...woo!"
Let’s goooo
next he's gotta show a menu shot at a restaurant...
The Highliner EMU has the weirdest setup.
You have to wonder what the designer of this train was smoking when he designed the upper floor of these carriages with an open middle that loses a ton of seat capacity.
And those bench seats facing each other have legroom fit for only a midget.
But, I have to admit those bathrooms are unique, in a utilitarian prison cell vibe.
Gallery cars are weird, agreed. They were set up to let conductors on the ground floor check both levels.
Yeah it’s based off a much older design, dating back to the 1950s
Are those new EMUs actually new or did they just convert old gallery cars into EMUs? I jokingly call those gallery cars "prison trains" because they look like what I would imagine a prison train to look like.
They are actually new believe it or not
Your summer is cold. ))
Date of filming: November 20, 2023
Have you heard why the millennium station elevator is still out?
Nope. But probably just because they deferred the maintenance.
The cars that you're sitting are the youngest in the Metra fleet.
Crazy
Who’s better Metrolink or metra
Good question, I need to think about that one.
Is that a Pullman car @ 0:27 😳
Yes!
The stainless steel isn’t old city‘s on the ocean will normally use stainless steel cars if you are inland the trains are painted. Even in Europe it is like this city’s inland like Paris and Berlin use painted cars and city’s that are close to the ocean like Hamburg and Lisbon have stainless steel cars. That’s why I think the new trains for caltrain should have been built with stainless steel not painted.
Chicago isn’t close to the Ocean though. And most of the Netherlands is, but those trains are painted.
@@Thom-TRA for European trains it’s cheaper to just buy of the shelf trains you can throw away after 20-30 years. The other thing is you can’t make a light train like the sprinter with stainless steel. An other good thing about stainless steel is that the paint doesn’t change color from the sun.
@@nashorn9745 I still doubt that being close to the water has anything to do with it and that it's more a personal preference. Notice that the trains of the S-Bahn in Hamburg also are painted - and given its nature, all trains are custom and not really of the shelf.
How can this train just be 12 years old??😭😭
I know right!
They're younger than that.
@@tyhik9338 I am seriously shocked
@@lucaspublictransport995 they're around 7 to 10 years old.