America’s Strangest Commuter Train: The Unbelievable METRA ELECTRIC Experience! 🇺🇸

[@carstarsarstenstesenn]

Metra has so much potential. A lot of people who use it don't realize how much better it could be if it were modernized. The frequency of trains is also sad

[@d0lph1n63]

You do realize that they don’t own most of the rails in and around Chicago?

[@someguy8427]

@@d0lph1n63 they don't own the UP and BNSF lines. For the most part they could take over a lot of the operations/trackage rights for the RI, MD, HC, and SWS lines

[@piemadd]

@@d0lph1n63 Even the lines they own (such as the RI and HC) the service could still be improved. We need to properly fund Metra and have the state buy out the tracks they run on.

[@Kane615]

The saddest thing about the Metra Electric is that the current timetable doesn't even represent a quarter of the service the Illinois Central ran in the 40s. Even into the 70s, after a major timetable cutback, they still ran nearly twice as many trains on the core section of the network. Other lines have remained surprisingly stagnant since the 40s with corridors like the BNSF only gaining 14 daily trips between the 40s and the 2009 timetable but the old IC services were absolutely slaughtered.

[@someguy8427]

@@piemadd we could replicate other transportation systems that are actually competent and make sense financially instead using EMDs lmfao

[@geddyleesmullet84]

A few things to know, the green tint on the windows are done to keep out a significant amount of heat from direct sunlight in the summer, before that on the old Budd CBQ bi-level and C&NW Pullman bi-level car from the 50s both had venetian blinds early on when they were first delivered but removed in the early 60s to the green tint that we have but Metra is now changing the green tint on the windows for a neutral almost grey tint in some of the 90s cars that are being rehabed. Most people who ride the Metra electric stay in the food court or outside in the waiting room by the food court before knowing what train is on what platform for the same issue you had, plus board on the train towards the end of the platform not toward the head of the station at Millennium Park Station. And a recommendation if you plan on riding the Metra again, you should try riding the Metra UP-North toward downtown Evanston or riding the Rock Island Suburban branch toward Blue Island.

[@cachech]

FYI, Green tinted windows are very expensive compared to the gray tint. Hence the change.

[@jonnda]

I like the funky green tint, and the north line goes all the way to Kenosha. I think that's pretty cool.

[@SocialistDistancing]

That was useful information.

[@thefareplayer2254]

As someone who lived in Hyde Park Chicago for a few years, it’s pretty surreal to see you review Metra Electric! You did a great job highlighting some serious shortcomings that often get overlooked by regular riders just used to the service: the unwelcoming, cavernous, dingy basement of a station that Millennium is, the old, wonky ticket machines that frustrate to no end (the mobile ticketing is much easier), and Chicago’s unfortunate exception to the Midwest’s reputation as being polite. Despite these flaws, the service is actually pretty good, at least by American commuter rail standards: modern cars (in years old and reliability, if not design), fast acceleration, stations placed in walkable, vibrant urban areas, very cheap fares, and very frequent service for commuter rail (more like an infrequent metro line than a normal American commuter line). I hope you also had a chance to explore Hyde Park: it’s a gorgeous, diverse, student-oriented neighborhood with great restaurants and magnificent lakeside views.

[@jameshitselberger5845]

With $775 billion going to the military this year...$200 billion on a new nuclear bomber fleet...you don't think there would be much left over to renovate a Metra station, do you?

[@ViewpointUnique]

@@jameshitselberger5845 No. Because that is at the local funding level, not national.

[@ViewpointUnique]

@@jameshitselberger5845 Now...if you wanted to criticize the state of Illinois or the cities/counties that Metra operated in for how dreadfully they waste taxpayer money, that's a different ballgame. PLENTY of corruption to look at there.

[@juancastro7097]

@@ViewpointUnique Metra partly relies on federal funding. Biden dedicated a portion of his infrastructure bill to funding passenger rail, and I believe it's allowing Metra to address some operational issues. I'm also hoping that Metra explores expanding its lines to reach towns farther out.

[@Nadia1989]

The "reversible" seats makes me remember the Retiro-Mitre line coaches of my childhood. The seats were broad as couches, and a small family could squeeze and fit in one.

[@corner63]

This kind of seats are still present in the Urquiza line.

[@yixnorb5971]

The 1926 era Illinois Central Pullman M. U. cars had wicker reversible seats. Those were used until the late 80s.

[@crashcast_e6339]

8:15 NICTD didn't actually eliminate the streetrunning section due to safety reasons; 11th Street is being reduced to a one-lane, one-way street so that the South Shore Line can run a double track, isolated right-of-way. This is part of the South Shore double-tracking project, which intends to reduce travel times and greatly increase frequency along the line, as well as introducing several station improvements. I'd still say that even with the rapid infrastructure projects happening, the South Shore is still by far the most unique, and one of the best commuter railroads in the country.

[@brandoncole5533]

I rode the south shore line from Gary/Chicago airport to millennium station everyday for school for about 2 years And you know that from Gary Metro Center all the way to millennium station runs on 2 tracks I was shocked to find out that past Gary Metro Center The trains ran on a single for majority of the way to south bend

[@albertcarello619]

Crashcast_ E:: NICTD is very much like SEPTA MAINLINE ELECTRIC RAILROAD out in Philadelphia with it's cars looking pretty similar.

[@albertcarello619]

Crashcast: Look at all those trolley lines in suburban Philadelphia that have been around for over 100 years. Trackage layout has been virtually unchanged although modernized and upgraded over the many years.

[@albertcarello619]

@@brandoncole5533 Soon though the line will be double tracked all the way to Michigan City IN by 2024 at the latest. It will now be possible to schedule more trains in both directions especially in the morning and evening rush hours.

[@chicagolandrailfan143]

I strongly agree with you

[@ztl2505]

Terrible ticket machines and unconcerned attendants definitely tracks with my Metra experience. That said, I personally like the gallery cars, the upstairs level is pretty cozy if you’re a lone commuter with no big bags.

[@thebabbler8867]

Chicago is a rail fan's paradise.

[@jackchen7003]

Agreed. Diesel, freight, electric, and CTA. Who could ask for anything more?

[@boyerling3]

High-speed rail???

[@versedbridge4007]

New england takes the cake for me, especially the NEC between Providence and Boston.

[@kitchin2]

@@boyerling3 The fastest Amtrak outside the NEC is nearby, Kalamazoo, at 110mph.

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

My son is special needs and he loves trains 🚆🚋🚞🚝🚉🚈🚇🚅🚄🚃🚂🚊🛤 they're one of his favorite things in the whole world 🌎! He finds those bi level electric trains very interesting and thinks they are highly underrated rail transportation vehicles.

[@annabelleecho8056]

I've been riding this train for many years but I never got off at 47th St. I never had a problem except once the south bound train to the South suburbs was running on the opposite track but I noticed before my train arrived. My sixth grade teacher at Bret Harte Elementary made the announcement to the class. She found out from her husband who was a doctor at Michael Reese Hospital: 50th anniversary of the deadliest train crash in Chicago’s history was about a month ago. Back then the line was called Illinois Central.

[@lecxiel_arkocomet]

As a Japanese, we grew up admired to America; it a shame that the railway infrastructures take second place to cars and airplanes; compared to Japan where many people use trains (obvious by geography, though) I suppose this would be one of world's tallest train. fun fact; Nippon Sharyo means Japanese Carriage Manufacturer, and the symbol 「車」means "car" in Japanese and Chinese. Given that it was made in 2014, they should've had vacuum toilets (that won't clog up) and display onboard :( but I like the fact that they have wifi onboard; (JR are so reluctant on retrofitting wifi on their trains, shame that the Sunrise sleeper train still doesn't have one)

[@jameshitselberger5845]

Many foreigners are surprised by how rundown America looks. Military expenditures incur a cost on public transport with priority being given to the new $200 billion nuclear bomber fleet (good heavens!). Sprawling cities, roads and cars require high maintenance costs which are not being met through taxes or even deficit spending.

[@tobyradabaugh5033]

I’ve grown up in the Chicago area rode metra a few times and the biggest problem is they don’t get enough funding so the equipment is old and dated but they still keep things clean and make the most out of what they have

[@Ethans-Life]

Love the train reviews. Keep up the good work.

[@jamesschock4296]

My line is the Milwaukee District West Line our station is Chicago Union Station which as you know is magnificent. The green windows are to prevent sun 🌞 glare on sunny days which can be significant. This keeps maintenance costs low so they don't have to have shades or curtains on the windows and don't have to clean or maintain or replace them. I love my Metra Service.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

7:20 I didn't know they kept that feature lol. I'm surprised other rail companies got rid of it.

[@geddyleesmullet84]

Metra is slowly removing that feature in the next railcars that they ordered, and future rehabs of their railcars.

[@jackchen7003]

NJT still has that feature

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

It is a nice feature, we used to have them in the long distance trains in Argentina. You could flip them to see where are you going instead of were have you been. Or to talk to other people and play cards and stuff to pass the time. 😊

[@Stache987]

@@jackchen7003 I don't know about SEPTA, but NJT definitely did in the 90s on the Raritan Valley train

[@lzh4950]

That's a pretty common design on longer-distance commuter trains in western Japan too

[@KevinCNYC1991]

This was a good review you did on Metra Electric. Sorry that you had a rough start in the beginning of your trip, as it really didn't need to happen the way it did. The gallery cars for what they are, they're effective for the service they do. As for the general quality of the service, Metra has so much potential to be one of the best commuter lines in the US, but the problem is the lack of funding and the fact they don't own all the tracks they operate. Same problems that hamper Amtrak also affect many commuter agencies across the US. The attitude towards changing this status quo is reflected by the lack of standards being set and people especially some railfans who want the status quo to continue, and for the life of me I don't understand why. By the comments from some on your video, it is very obvious of who wants positive changes to happen at Metra and who doesn't. I hope your experience doesn't stop you from riding other Metra lines and commuter lines out there across the country.

[@filanfyretracker]

I feel like state DOTs should just start leveraging Eminent Domain on railroad ROWs, outside of the NE Corridor the improvement of commuter and intercity rail is wholly at the mercy of companies who do not care about it. And honestly US rail at a minimum should be able to run Acela speeds between most major cities.

[@traingirl09]

@@filanfyretracker I hate to break it to ya, but most freight railroad companies own those tracks. The government would be overstepping their bounds (not like they already do). Using the eminent domain concept can get rather greedy and abusive. A buddy of mine that I play a game with his friend was having problems with the Texas Central Railway trying to use the eminent domain excuse. Long story short, his friend won in the end.

[@squrt29]

I learned to love trains when I rode the IC Electric (the same line that you're on) between Bryn Mawr and downtown Chicago back in the 60s when I was a wee lad. Great review and love your videos.

[@squrt29]

I might add, you missed all the very interesting street running that happens on the South Chicago line that happens starting at the Stony Island station.

[@darylcheshire1618]

I’m from Australia and have never been to Chicago but I have watched a few youtubes of the Metra trains and have always liked the red striped ends of the trains, The split upper level gives a spacious look.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Hello from Downers Grove - a half block from the METRA BNSF line. You should also ride the South Shore electric to South Bend, IN. You should have ridden farther South on the line and gone to the Museum of Science and Industry. Seen the original Zephyr and a GREAT model train lay-out!

[@dfwrailvideos]

Those bilevels were made that way to stay consistent with the standard metra bilevels that are made by the same company. Originally the line used old Illinois Central bilevel EMU cars from the 80s which were retired in the mid 2010s as the new bilevels came in. Loving these trip reviews. Also, if you want better EMUs, come down to Dallas. There’s some pretty wacky one-off design EMUs built in the 90s by Kinkisharyo, with classic rollsigns. About half of the trains have LED signs. The trains have an unmistakable sound that you can’t miss! If you ever decided to ride DART I could give you some tips on what and what not to do.

[@gregrudd6983]

Always thought Metra Electric should use similar cars to Sydney Australia.

[@jmi5969]

Looks more like "consistent with hobbits". Almost as bad as Stadler and Bombardier double-deckers. Or any double-deckers.

[@VestedUTuber]

Oh, fun fact, the same company that built the current Metra Electric EMUs _and_ the second-gen gallery cars also built the current EMUs for the South Shore Line. Nippon Sharyo specifically designed the equipment built for Metra and the South Shore Line to be modernized replicas of the original equipment operated by both services, hence the very Pullman-esque designs. Nippon Sharyo was also one of the companies involved in the development of many of the various Shinkansen models, and produce a significant portion of Japanese express and commuter rail service equipment.

[@gregrudd6983]

@@VestedUTuber Was Nippon Sharyo originally a Pullman-Standard Licencee and brought their designs when they exited the passenger business. It is like how Budd's IP finally fell into the hands of Bombardier through the various take overs of licencees.

[@VestedUTuber]

@@gregrudd6983 Not sure. I'd have to check.

[@thpass]

Long time subscriber here and it was cool to see you take this line. I remember taking this to Hyde park 55th st for the U of C. I also agree that you should take the UP-N if you want a longer ride and gaps between stations. The BNSF and the metra electric are two of the most maligned lines by commuters for many of the same reasons you showed here. Thanks for the upload and i always enjoy your train vids.

[@WillGrimm623]

The reason most stations on the MED have ticket machines is because the Illinois Central originally installed automatic ticket barriers that accepted tickets in the 1970’s as a way to eliminate on board conductors. Metra removed the barriers in the early 2000’s but the concept still remakns

[@cat1554]

Funny story from my dad: once he put in the ticket wrong so it said "invalid ticket" but he read it as if it was a ticket for disabled people and it was calling him out for lying

[@thomasreiser]

I grew up riding this line when it was known as the Illinois Central and later lived along the Rock Island District which also has flag stops as well

[@kelleherjw]

I never did figure out why you called this line "weird". Since I grew up riding what was then called the IC (Illinois Central). I suppose It just seems a normal urban commuter line to me. I've lived and visited other areas that had similar cars, though not all electrified. This line doesn't get the attention it deserves in the Chicago Area's Metra System. You rightly pointed out the shabby and very dated condition of the main downtown station, Millennium (formerly Randolph Street) Station. The condition is a shame when you compare other downtown commuter stations like Union and Northwestern. I remember those aqua blue tike walls at Randolph Street from my youth back in the 1950s. Yikes, to see them, but the view also warms my heart with memories. Thank you.

[@hansonel]

The Metra Electric could really stand for some improvements. As a suburban rider the number of "flag" stops (most served during the weekends) in the city is one of the reasons. They're located every 4 blocks or so and seem to stand in for where a CTA L line should've been built decades ago to serve the Far South Side and South Shore. When a train makes flag stops it adds on 20 - 30ish extra minutes getting in and out of the city for those who live in the south suburbs like Hazel Crest, Homewood, Richton Park, etc... It makes more sense to drive into the city or take an Uber. The other reason is due to Millenium Station which is the worst train station in Chicago for a number of reasons. Compared to Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center it needs of a complete overhaul since it is a dingy and sketchy space crammed under the Prudential Center that looks as bad as Penn Station. One of the secondary exits even leads out to Lower Water Street which isn't the best idea after certain times of day.

[@dblissmn]

It was the South Side's rapid transit service. Under IC operation, trains ran every ten minutes or better on the main line, probably every 20 on the branches. The budget crises of the 1970s combined with the decline of the South Side blew that up and it degenerated into the more traditional commuter operation you see now.

[@isleman9473]

Metra gallery cars have something that has pretty much disappeared from U.S. commuter cars---walkover seats. Most operators have opted for immovable seats, with one half facing forward and one half facing backward. I like the walkovers! That way, if you're on a crowded train and don't want to ride backwards, you can change the direction of the seat.

[@geneard639]

I remember the Highliner I's run by Illinois Central Gulf back in the 70's. Nice ride, could get you from Richton Park to downtown way quicker than driving any day of the week.

[@gorillaswithbeards7411]

The reason the windows are green is because for less sunlight to enter the gallery car. 10:18

[@robinrussell7965]

The train of my youth. I grew up along the IC. Yes all the trains in Chicago are relics. I hated to bring my loaded bike on the Metra last summer. Plus they made me tie it up.

[@briansivley2001]

Here's someone who's from Chicago to explain everything. One you really should've gotten your ticket from the ticket counter because those machines aren't very reliable from my understanding. I thought they discontinued those machines a few years ago because I remember hearing on the news saying that they were going to remove them to go all digital with The Ventra App but I guess they changed their minds when the app was found to be buggy. Another thing is the Highliners yeah we still use them because it's how we are here in America especially in Chicago. We prefer to get the FULL use of the design. If it ain't broke don't fix it and in the Metra Employees and the riders eyes it isn't broken so it won't be fixed. And yes I know about the new cars that Alstorm is building and I'm excited to see them in person once they receive them and go into revenue service being some of the improvements will benefit me as a wheelchair user greatly. And our over reliance in diesel electric engines is because here in America the freight railroads own the right of way except for certain parts of the network. For Metra Electric's case the actual tracks that trains run on (Metra Electric Trains only) is in fact owned 100% by Metra while the tracks that freight trains and Amtrak trains run on is owned by The CN. For The South Shore Line they only pay to use the tracks to get into Downtown Chicago and once they arrive in Chicago Area after Hammond Indiana they must accept The RTA Ticket Prices for Metra. Yeah we're backwards but it's what works for us and we're set in our ways. It's similar to Sears Tower (now known as Willis Tower) and John Hancock Center (now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue) we refuse to change just because something changed we don't work like that. It's just something you have to accept about America lol.

[@geddyleesmullet84]

I agree on going to the ticket counter, I've always avoided using the ticket machine the times i had to ride on the Metra, plus Ventra used is a better alterative to the ticket machine or if the ticket counter is closed at the time I need a ticket.

[@banksrail]

Lol don’t try to clump “America” into Metra’s problems. I can name dozens of American commuter and regional railroads that do a way better job at operating trains. Just because you’re used to it, doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. Metra truly needs to get some more funding so they can bring their railroad to the ACTUAL American standard (at least)

[@leereeder2293]

I rode Metra heavily for almost 15 years and I'm greatful that I could get anywhere I needed

[@CWonTheRoad]

The ticket agent playing, on her phone. That’s so annoying when someone is more into their phone than serving a paying customer. I really enjoy your videos. Look forward, to watching many more.

[@oct197.]

it's not like that on every line... the electric line isn't the best at customer service, pretty much all the other lines are better

[@Shaynegrainger]

At about the 7:35 mark or there abouts, when you switch the seatback in front of you, my first thought was oh wow, that was cool, I have never seen any trains do that

[@simonsv9449]

Fun that you finally reviewed them!

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. You certainly point out some areas that could use improvement. METRA Trains are definitely commuter focused with few frills. But commuting by METRA has the advantage of not dealing with congestion on surface roads. Using & charging cellphone & or tablet. As mentioned by others ticketing using mobile App is most convenient; especially as you pointed out the problem with the ticket machines.

[@thomascook578]

Looks like they offer fantastic customer service from start to finish.

[@flashrocket9158]

Whenever I take the Electric Line, it would be to the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. Plus, The Electric Line runs on the route to the south suburbs by way of the old Illinois Central line. That and the South Shore are the only Commuter Lines out of the city. but there has been some talks and desires to electrify the Rock Island line out of LaSalle street to Joliet.

[@d.l.harrington4080]

I believe the green windows is to block UV light from damaging the seats and any other plastic items.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I don't think it's weird at all, I think it's rather interesting

[@adithyaramachandran7427]

Chicago stations should have clean heated waiting rooms, the winter is brutal (2014 Polar vortex) and neglect in many stations is just sad. Emery Goulash has some good videos from the 50's with interesting passenger trains all around chicago. Very colorful era. Trains I'd bring back with their original paint schemes: The Quad Cities, The Floridian, The Kansas City Zephyr, The Hiawatha all the way to Minneapolis, The International, The Broadway Limited, the Duluth-Superior Limited, and the Shenandoah. A century ago, there used to be 30 named trains between chicago and kansas city. Now there is one.

[@rezaalan3991]

Great short trip, unique train, and bit annoying moment pre boarding.

[@christill]

Even though there are a lot of problems, these weird EMUs have a charm to them for me.

[@tyhik9338]

My favorite metra line

[@endergamer794]

11:26 The commuter rail in Boston has that too, they are called flag stops here, and denoted on time tables

[@ModernClassic]

I'm not sure if you meant to say that EMU's are rare in the US in general but that was the impression I got - they really aren't very rare, though. The LIRR, Metro North, NJ Transit, BART, SEPTA, and various other commuter systems in the US use EMU's as well - we're not quite as backwards as it sounds like you're thinking. And these are the most heavily used commuter systems. I believe you've already reviewed some or most of these. Most use rolling stock that seems a little more modern than what METRA is using. This is a weird design for a newly produced car, but it seems obvious they just did it on the cheap, barely updating the older designs. As far as announcing the track shortly before departure, that's pretty standard for US commuter lines. People still seem to be able to board in time; the trains fill up fast.

[@TohaBgood2]

Well, BART is a metro though, and it naturally operates typical three-door 3rd rail metro trains. I know a ton of out-of-towners like to pretend that BART is some type of monster commuter rail due to the 15 minute frequencies on some of the spurs. But BART is insanely interlined and basically all the lines converge in one tunnel eventually. And even most of the spurs are still at 7 minute frequencies because they have at least two lines terminating there, each with their separate 15 minute frequency cut in half. Almost 90% of customers never see frequencies lower than 7 minutes at their station because at least two lines interline at all the popular stations. Furthermore, the vast majority of riders only ride in the "BART Core" network (SF-Oakland-Berkeley) where frequencies are just 3-4 minutes. Plus, BART is upgrading to CBTC and three-door trains to reduce frequencies to only 2-ish minutes in the Core, and 10-ish minutes on the spurs right now. That's a perfectly respectable frequency for any subway. No matter how much you people want BART not to be a subway, from the point of view of the vast majority of actual BART riders, it is a subway/metro/rapid transit system, not a commuter line. Commuter lines are 4 trains per day in each direction in America. BART just isn't that at all. If BART is "commuter rail" then so is it's nearly identical twin sister system in the DC Metro! SEPTA and some of the other systems also have some very RER/regional rail lines under their umbrellas. Those are usually done with EMUs in all countries not just in the US if the nature of the service calls for it.

[@filanfyretracker]

@@TohaBgood2 commuter lines are way more than 4 trains a day in America. The station I used to catch MNRR into NYC has 17 trains before 9am to Grand Central and about 10 coming in. And that is a station at the end of the electrified section.

[@TohaBgood2]

@@filanfyretracker Yeah, anything touching NY doesn't count. From the standpoint of transit, it's basically Europe. What you are describing is about the best case scenario for American commuter rail. And by this metric BART is some kind of a monster/juggernaut/voodoo thing. This many trains pass through BART in less than an hour! And after the upgrades that they are doing this will be the traffic of less than half an hour! To use your own metric, BART has more trains before 6 am, less than an hour from opening, than MNRR has by 9am. It's just not is the same universe as MNRR or any other commuter rail in the world, barring perhaps a few Shinkansen lines! But even those are less frequent than BART in the real world.

[@00Zy99]

@@TohaBgood2 To me, the "commuter rail" aspect of BART comes from its very long runs over significant distance. You can take trips that last up to 2 hours and cover almost the entire length of the East Bay. That's as long as Caltrain, and longer than quite a few commuter lines in the Northeast-just look at SEPTA, LIRR, and MBTA for examples.

[@erichhouchens3711]

A couple comments about your Metra Electric ride. Most commuter stations are pretty much basic buildings. The vast majority of users are commuters rushing to their offices in the morning and back home in the evening. Some of the larger stations such as South Station in Boston, Grand Central in New York, Washington Union Station and LA Union are much better. Having two or three train sets parked at a platform is not uncommon especially in a three branch operation like Metra Electric. It always advised to walk to the far end of the platform. That way you'll be on the right train and you're more likely to find a seat if the train is crowded. The fact that the line is electrified is the result of a law passed in the early 1900 requiring the line to be electrified. This is because the line ran along the line ran along the lake front, an upper class area, and people complained about the smoke from steam locomotives. Stainless Steel heaven. That got me a laugh. Stainless steel is used for just about all north American passenger trains. One of the main benefits of this is graffiti is easy to remove as paint doesn't stick to stainless steel very easily and can be removed with a pressure washer. This is why north American passenger trains don't look like the rolling "art" galleries that so many European trains have become. As far as the cars only being 10 years old, Metra told Nippon Sharyo what they wanted and that's what got built. This is a general move away for gallery type cars among US transit operators over the last two to three decades. Even Metra is now ordering full double decker cars for their diesel lines. The trains are ugly. Yes they are but the whole purpose of these trains is to move as many people as possible. The flat front end is because each two car married set has a cab at each end for the engineer/driver. This allows the cars to be used in the middle of a train and still allow passengers to walk through from car to car. The LIRR trains, which you made a video on, are even more boxier. BTW - the front window of the first car is generally referred to as the Rail Fan Window (RFW) as it allows you to look out the front like the engineer/driver. Below is a video of the Metra Electric shot from the RFW. This video was actually put out by Metra. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pl7QmZejnN-Mhs0

[@osasunaitor]

As a European, it's a delight to see these clean trains in North America without a trace of disgusting graffiti. This barbaric act has become a major plague in our old continent, which is very ironic if you take into account that it was actually born in the USA (New York). However, I don't think that the materials of the train are a major factor in this discrepancy. As far as I know, trains in Europe are often coated in an "anti-graffiti" layer to make paint removal easier, but that doesn't prevent them from getting vandalised shortly after anyway. The issue for us lies in the lack of public awareness towards this criminal practice, which makes graffiti prevalence widespread and train cleaning insufficient. It seems that we Europeans have this bad habit of copying the worst of North American cultural influences, and graffiti vandalism is not an exception.

[@banksrail]

The reason the LIRR C3 cars are boxier is because of the tight loading gauge clearances in the East River tunnels leading into Penn Station. Those cars are actually smaller in dimension than the Gallery cars. Which is why it’s interesting to see a *choice* of boxiness rather than necessity.

[@Nobodyyounowknow]

Surprised to see so many people calling these ugly. I’ve always thought they looked way cooler than the typical EMUs, especially the stainless steel, even if they are significantly less aerodynamic. Maybe I’m just biased.

[@MidnightAspec]

I had a chance to ride Metra’s Gallery Cars a few years ago. As a regular NJ Transit rider who rides the multi levels, it was cool to compare/contrast.

[@kentfrederick8929]

You have to remember that long before Metra, the Illinois Central operated its commuter service alongside its intercity passenger and freight service with steam and diesels. Central Station, located at Roosevelt Road, was a much more hospitable place. It's where trains like the Panama Limited and the City of New Orleans departed and arrived. Personally, I like the gallery car. I was riding gallery cars on the CB&Q, before it merged with its owners (the GN and the NP) to form the Burlington Northern. For a ride of 20 to 90 minutes, the gallery car is sufficiently comfortable. The standard 85' coach carries 50 to 75 passengers, whether Amfleet or prior generations of passenger cars. The gallery car typically carries 138 passengers. So, an 8-car train carries just over 1,100 passengers.

[@drdewott9154]

That is a weird trains. I mean it feels like there should just be some big changes. Like trains that aren't using a design dating back to the 1950's but I digress. If they're gonna have request stops, at least make it so that passengers know more easily and can request a stop more easily. Like put up some stop request buttons, at least at the doors, similarly to on a bus. The train is also not very frequent which is a shame. I honestly think they could get a lot of value out of it if they ran it more frequently but with just 2 cars at a time.

[@thickernell]

There's a reason your experience on the BNSF route west of the City was so different. BNSF and UP continue to operate the trains on their respective railroads, under contract to Metra. They are railroad employees. There has always been a noticeable difference in the routes operated by the private railroads versus those operated directly by Metra. Not an ideal situation because differences in customer service are frequently reported by riders...usually in favor of the private railroad operators.

[@thickernell]

BTW, I tweeted your video to both Metra Electric and the Chicago Mayor's Office. The stark differences between customer experiences at the privately operated lines and the lines operated directly by Metra have long been a thorn in the system's side. It's an embarrassment to us Chicagoans. Please accept our apologies.

[@russellgxy2905]

Almost makes you wonder why they stopped running commuter trains themselves in the first place

[@filanfyretracker]

I am honestly surprised, I figured BNSF and UP would be the complete shit show. Private RRs havent ever had a desire to run passenger service in decades. its why we have Amtrak

[@banksrail]

@@russellgxy2905 Does it really make you wonder though? Commuter railroads are a huge money drainer. There’s no way they would be able to keep have low ticket prices.

[@banksrail]

@@filanfyretracker They are. They’re employees almost went on strike a couple months ago which would have put Metra in a really awkward situation where only the lines they fully operated were running.

[@lusasilva4643]

Had so much fun watching this, thanks for sharing! Sometimes i'd like i could do the seat trick here in european trains!🙂

[@keahnig164]

11:05 Well we have stop buttons for those stops in Switzerland... Could be so easy.

[@gladfan1989]

My guess is they used old Coca-Cola bottles to make the glass, LOL

[@jeffreysmith85]

You never saw how crazy this area was

[@BensonNyasae]

I rode on similar double decker trains in Paris. I think they call them RER. I wish people embraced railway transportation more.

[@steelcityboy630]

All of Metra's lines would be electrified if the organization didn't reply heavily on freight rails. It's extremely economic. I love the electric district. The cab car is always open both directions, it's financially friendly, it's fast, clean energy. Etc. The ME is definitely the future of railroading

[@philipnasadowski1060]

If you took everything wrong with regional rail in the US and put it together, you’d get Metra. Hasn’t changed much in the 20 years since my first, and thankfully last experience. First time I ever got yelled at for boarding a train too early.

[@JeffBazell]

My mom lived at 4700 S Lake Park Ave and I used to take this train everyday (in the winter, in the pitch black night) to downtowm to work. I remember having to flag down the engineer in order to stop.

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

I live close to a southern terminus and i kinda grew to enjoy these. Im actually going to make a protolance diorama of my station, only with the non electrified version of the cars. No one made them in HO or N scales..

[@peter_kelly]

I'd argue that the single-car DMUs running on the WES Commuter Rail lines around Portland OR are perhaps weirder. Caltrain (and soon NJ Transit!) has some pretty snazzy bi-level EMUs so not totally uncommon in the US. Great vid.

[@sadams12345678]

Caltrain's EMUs have not gone into service yet.

[@TohaBgood2]

@@sadams12345678 They're coming though 🚄🚄🚄

[@protowave]

@@sadams12345678 that doesn't mean they don't exist lol

[@collectorguy3919]

There's zero budget for frills at METRA, but they got a lot of important functionality right. Frugal but not cheap. (except for the cruddy ticket machine) GO Transit (Toronto area) is an interesting comparison.

[@Crosshead1]

I caught this line a few years back to 56th/57th/58th Street station to go to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. The train itself was OK, being clean and comfortable, although the green windows were weird. But the station I boarded the train at, Van Buren (first station south of Millennium) was the worst station I have ever seen. It looked like a bomb site. I wasn’t even sure it was an operating station but the train did stop there, both there and back. This line could easily be made so much better but it looks like nothing has been spent on it for decades. Such a shame. BTW, I quite like the gallery cars. They’re kinda quirky.

[@Christina0623]

I spent many years commuting on Metras West line. I developed alot of friendships over that time and almost always found their service efficient. Definitely needs an upgrade tho!

[@curleyduck]

They remind me of the older trains we have here in Sydney, Australia

[@RicksTravelogue]

I laugh at the "Tell us how we're doing" sticker that was next to your seat.

[@hifijohn]

Used to take it all the time when I worked in Chicago.

[@joezegers]

Electric trains, with the aerodynamics of a filing cabinet

[@nancyboots3862]

They are NOT meant to have aero dynamics....just be able to have a high passenger capacity, bozo

[@banksrail]

@@nancyboots3862hey, you should be nice to fellow commenters… Especially when you’re wrong. You can easily achieve both (if you take a look at the new trainsets Caltrain is getting) In defense of Metra, it was to achieve commonality with other gallery cars to lower cost, not squeeze as many people as they could.

[@Skasaha_]

@@nancyboots3862 A minor benefit to aerodynamic trains is that it's hard for idiots to trainsurf, i.e. joyride hanging on to the front or back of the train. In Melbourne our High Capacity Metro Train (funnily enough our highest capacity train) even was designed with aerodynamic ends and cowling over the couplers specifically for this. Most trains other than underground metros will benefit significantly from aerodynamic designs, and it's necessary for anything remotely high speed.

[@maas1208]

​@@Skasaha_But you can make your own cab ride videos tho on the gallery cars

[@BrettWilliamson]

Sydney Australia EMU's have some far outer stops where you need to tell the Guard you want to get off, otherwise the driver continues on. All of our EMU are double decker and I think the whole self powered EMU thing may have been invented by our railway. Check out our A and B set trains for our latest versions.

[@Skasaha_]

EMUs were developed independently in the UK and the US in the late 1800s. Also as a Melbourne person I should point out that we built our own EMUs before Sydney started even operating them.

[@yixnorb5971]

Green tint is bright and reflects more heat than smoked glass, which is darker and absorbs more heat. The only thing that would reflect most heat would be a silvery mirror finish but that reflectivity would blind intersecting trains and railroad yard personnel. IE: The new San Diego library has high reflective windows that is blinding drivers on an adjacent freeway. In London a new building with such windows is focusing heat on the street below, enough to actually melt plastic car parts.

[@BurlingtonBuck]

5:55 I had a similar experience at Washington D.C.’s Union Station last summer. Me and my dad were trying to catch a Brunswick Line train to Frederick, MD and we proceeded to the platform where the train was boarding, we boarded what we thought was our train until I noticed “out of service” on the LED display. Confused I asked a MARC employee about if this was the train to Frederick, she was nicer than that Metra cleaning employee when telling me there was another train in front of the one I was currently on, she also pointed out a group of people that I should ask for more information and I promptly thanked her. I asked one of the workers in the group about the other train and they gave me a very jaded and unhelpful response of “I’m not sure” so I decided to find it myself, I walk down the platform and I confirmed there was another commuter train, it was due to leave in 2 minutes so I sprinted back to my dad who was still in the train we originally boarded and frantically told him we needed to get on the train in front of this. We made a mad dash with 3 backpacks and a suitcase in tow running down about 5 car lengths plus a locomotive to get to our train. We barely made it on as 15 seconds later, the doors closed. We were winded but relived to be on the right train. I am not a huge fan of having multiple trains sharing a platform, but if there could be clearer instructions such as signs in front of the doors of the out of service train that point towards the one passengers should be boarding, that would be great.

[@Turgineer]

Double-decker wagons look cool.

[@chancoolguy]

The windows are green because of the tint. They keep any extra sunlight out of the train and out of peoples faces!!

[@00Zy99]

The reason that the upstairs not being baggage-friendly is not regarded as a problem is because the overwhelming majority of people are not expected to have luggage-they have at most a briefcase for their trip to the office. Yes, its really antiquated. But hopefully, they WILL do something about it, possibly with the next generation-which, admittedly, won't be for a few decades since they just replaced the fleet. The reason the 2014 cars are of such an antiquated design is because they are expansions of a batch purchased 10 years earlier, in 2004, when modern digital systems were not yet available, at least not at the scale, reliability, and price necessary. The cars were built to a 1985 Caltrain design. Caltrain, Metra, and VRE went in on the order together to get economies of scale. Even if VRE could have gone for a more modern design, it was cheaper to do it this way.

[@jadedfox4672]

As a long time metra rider this breaks my heart seeing such a negative review, sure it’s not as advanced as other commuter rail but the seats are comfortable and it’s a relatively smooth ride, metra grows on you after a wile

[@kanchanananayakkara8959]

Wow an unique trip! Though trains are so weird and outdated looking, seems to be a railway that a railway fan must try.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Nope they are only about 15 years old

[@biscuit715]

Pretty crazy that a commuter city line has request stops and has such low frequency

[@dasoffendor]

something must have been a bit off that day, usually the platforms are indicated on the main train listing (i noticed the "track" column was completely blank there) and usually you can just go and stand by the train until they open the doors 10-15 minutes beforehand... if you know what track your train is going to be on its the "secret" way to get a good seat during rush hour. Randolph station is pretty bad though, it was actually much nicer before they built Millennium Park above it, and rebuilt the station in the process. When they did that, a lot of the more interesting stores and restaurants left and never came back, and much lower quality establishments opened. Also, before they removed the turnstiles, there was a great big waiting room full of benches which was not open to the cold air from the tracks, another reason the station lost a lot of its presence. It was a much more lively place then. Last thing... Part of The Dark Knight's Bat-cycle scenes were filmed in this station... if you watch it, you can see the distinctive "track-like" lines in the floor as he zooms through the underground.

[@twilightcitystudios]

Millennium Station has some nice features. The Dark Knight was filmed there. There's shots where Batman goes through it on his motorcycle.

[@lumixraku]

I like this train, it looks so cyberpunk.

[@MrBnsftrain]

I find it odd that none of the gallery car bodies have any destination boards, especially these newer cars. Even the newer trains for Metro North and Long Island have destination boards on the outside of the train.

[@Westlander857]

I rode Metra Electric from Chicago-Millenium to the University of Chicago a few moths ago. The station there was in surprisingly bad shape, given that UChicago is such an elite university. Definitely room for improvement there. But as far as the train service went, it was fast and friendly. I think it’s absurd that the entire Metra system isn’t electrified, given the size and significance of Chicagoland. Maybe one day. Edit: Those gallery cars aren’t even ten years old? Yikes, I would have sworn they were from the 70s or 80s. Plenty of room for improvement there, too. But hey, they work.

[@esmith989]

Most Metra lines are owned by the Canadian National Railway and have to share tracks with their trains.

[@BoratWanksta]

@@esmith989 I think it's only 2 Metra lines, that run on CN tracks. North Central Service(Antioch) runs on CN tracks, and so does Heritage Corridor(Joliet). Sadly because of CN being an anti-passenger railroad, neither line has a lot of train service. And both of these 2 lines do NOT run on weekends, as well. I will say I was surprised pre-COVID, that CN okayed Metra adding a pre-afternoon rush hour outbound train on the Heritage Corridor line. As of now in post-COVID times, this train hasn't returned to the Heritage schedule. And at least 2 times(the most recent time being summer 2022), CN allowed Metra to do an experiment of running a handful of scheduled trains on Saturdays. I wish CN would allow Metra to make Saturday Heritage service permanent(as I enjoyed that, the one time I rode on that line during its first Saturday service experiment), but that's just me.

[@albertcarello619]

Paul 3 weeks ago: METRA should take a lesson from SEPTA of Philadelphia. Electrify all their commuter lines. Unpleasant and unhealthy to breathe and inhale diesel smoke and fumes in those terminals.

[@albertcarello619]

@@esmith989 : METRA should electrify their commuter lines like SEPTA did in Philadelphia. The diesel freight trains can still share the trackage with METRA ELECTRICS just like SEPTA ELECTRIC COMMUTER TRAINS share their tracks with CSX and NORFOLK & SOUTHERN FREIGHT TRAINS.

[@fallenshallrise]

It always makes me 'laugh' when transit operators either don't stop to let someone off or don't stop to pick someone up because the rider didn't wave their arms or complain loudly enough. Literally their only job is to drive from one stop to the next, stop and let people off and on. When it's on rails they don't even have to steer.

[@someguy8427]

10:20 the windows were green to prevent the sun from bleaching the seats, however I don't think that's the case now that they're swapping out the windows for clear panes and keeping the leather seats. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@banksrail]

Apparently, the windows they are switching to are grey tinted which is cheaper to manufacture and replace compared to the green ones.

[@someguy8427]

@@banksrail I don't think they're really tinted but it probably helps that they most likely don't make the green tint ones anymore which is slowly forcing them to make their own/custom order it.

[@jeesmith99]

Metra is an interesting operator. It’s like they have trouble defining what their role is in Chicago transit.

[@cclayhammer]

Instead of getting off at 47th street, you should have taken the Metra all to way down to 93rd street South Chicago. You would have gotten the full flavor of Chicago's South Side

[@jeffreysmith85]

Green for tinting for the passengers. Great cars

[@bikdav]

Hey, that Millennium Station looks better than some of the “garbage” in Boston.

[@HSMiyamoto]

Historical Note: The Metra Electric was unique when the Illinois Central opened it in 1926 because it was effectively isolated from their freight and long-distance passenger trains. Also, the line is four tracks to allow South Shore trains to skip stops on their way to Indiana. Amtrak's trains to southern Illinois use the freight tracks that parallel Metra Electric/South Shore, diverging near McCormick Place to Union Station.

[@Techno-Universal]

I’ve also seen trains with galley trailer cars just like that that are pulled or pushed by an electric or diesel locomotive on one end of the train so in those trains the end cars in each consist would actually be driving trailers as they would have cabs in them for drivers! :)

[@rezaalanshari1587]

I live in third world countries and relatively had a good railways.. Seeing this kind of train in the one of most developed country are hurts! I expect more from USA

[@gerwin030]

It's crazy to think that there are so few electrified railways in the US. Here in Europe it's almost the default. Even Caltrain is only getting electrification now. Due to HSR funds.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

MBTA has been mulling it over and Frontrunner has Electrification in the cards

[@firstmoviesHD]

So many thinks that would be simply unacceptable in Europe are completely disregarded in the states. Worst offender is the horribly set-up network with 4 termini stations each a 10-15 minute walk apart with no way of connecting to each other making it impossible to go anywhere else than downtown. Imagine wanting to take the Metra from the south side up further up north past downtown, ain’t happening. Keep the poor away I guess… Then of course the destinations itself ending seemingly in the smallest suburbs ever while ignoring other much bigger places just slightly of the path. Investing in new infrastructure is impossible in Illinois, let’s just wait until the rest is slowly rotting away as well. Also the brand new yet completely outdated looking stock, the lack of buttons to simply open the doors and the fact that you have to ask a damn conductor to stop the train for you if a simple button could’ve done that job much better. Also wtf is wrong with these stations?? Millennium station looks dreadful and this is in the middle of one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to? And the final platform being wooden and not even fitting the damn train?? I took Metra here and there before and always was disappointed by the general awfulness and lack of care, Chicago deserves so much better than this piece of pure garbage.

[@nancyboots3862]

All the stations within walking distance are the results of years ago OF DIFFERENT RAILROADS coming into the city on their own property and each building their own terminal facilities on the property they had originally...it's NOT SOME VICIOUS PLOT AGAINST PEOPLE OR ANYTHING SO OBSCURE AND SPOOKY....the lines have become blurred over the years of state agency operations where several railroads became one agency

[@firstmoviesHD]

@@nancyboots3862 Almost every city started off with separate rail networks. Still no reason for this not to be fixed 40 years later

[@_SP64_]

@@firstmoviesHD NJT managed to do it with all their lines in NYC, Hoboken, and Philly

[@joshuametzl1420]

I would love to see METRA get some Stalder KISS trains like Caltrain

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Problem is the Metra electric line uses 1500 Volt DC power unlike the 25,000 Volt AC power used by Caltrain and the Stadler KISS can't run of 1500 V DC

[@johnkolassa1645]

Electric, and particularly electric multiple unit trains, are common (in fact, standard) in the northeast. I'll admit that ticket buying was pretty bad. The machines are unreliable, although I've never had my money disappear. If you want to sit on the upper level and have baggage, put it on the rack before you go up the steps. It's easier that way. Metra Electric has a lot of lightly-used relatively primitive stations in the city. If you wanted a more impressive arrival, along with something to do, you should have used one of the next three Hyde Park stations.

[@coastaku1954]

You should really travel up to Toronto and give GO Transit a try. One of the busiest and best run Commuter rail services in North America. I highly recommend the Lakeshore West line, it's their busiest route with the fastest top speeds, Express trains regularly top 90mph/140km/h. The car designs are spacious and high capacity and have become famous in Toronto, the car design GO Transit invented with Hawker-Siddley and now Bombardier is now a common sight across North America, but it all started here in Toronto and built in Thunder Bay

[@jonnda]

Why don't you like these cool 80's looking metal boxes on wheels? I think Metra rolling stock is neat, even beautiful. Maybe it's just nostalgia.

[@olivieronrails]

4:10 "Bruh" lol

[@CaseysTrains]

If Metra Eletric is weird, then SEPTA Regional Rail must be out of this world. Our system is 100% Electric...which works a little too well sometimes.

[@BenSussmanpro]

I used to take the Penn Central (pre-SEPTA) Main Line btwn Merion & Paoli everyday for school. I remember all commuter rail in Philly to be reliable. I wonder what it’s like these days since I’m long gone. I have fond memories of Philly regional trains back in ‘60s & ‘70s

[@_SP64_]

@@BenSussmanpro SEPTA should of leased out some F40PHs to save all the diesel lines. Shame what happened to them

[@blackknight1976]

Having operated one. i can say the controls are the weirdest part of the train. Not like most locomotives or even electric trains elsewhere. with the outer door open in the cab, I was afraid I would fall out.

[@00ta]

Nothing changed since 2000 (except for the power outlet). In a sense, it is amazing...