RFW Metra Electric University Park to Chicago. 7/14/22

Nice fast ride back to Chicago on the electrics with numerous CN trains passing. We later overtake a Loram Rail Grinder

[@PierceHaviland]

Metra has considered boosting the track speed on this line to 90 mph and with all that straight track, that should certainly be possible. Another great RFW video Tim.

[@LakeMichiganRailfan]

That cn move at 12:27 was train L536 from chicago Glenn yard to gary Kirk yard

[@raycooney7632]

I love your videos especialy from the head end and rear end. I am a retired railroader (ex-NYC-PC-CR). I grew up in Westbury L.I. 1952 to 1962.

[@jimlasterni7310]

You go to many different locations nice video

[@3985uprr]

I was there almost a week, so I wanted to cover as much ground as I could

[@tomfinger2750]

The large brick building on the right at 43:00 is one of railroading's shrines as it is the (former) headquarters building of Pullman.

[@ghostengineer]

I love metra electric and South Shore line

[@jackchen7003]

I wish to go back to Chicago someday. Metra electric is so unique, since there are not many Catenary railroads in this country besides NEC

[@3985uprr]

It’s a great place for RFW’s. More to come. Fighting sun. Fighting rain.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Incredible overview of a very interesting line! The narration adds a lot of interest too - well done!

[@PGHammer21A]

That is because freight sometimes (in fact often) is too high to fit under caternary lines - while METRA Electric runs BESIDE freight lines, how many freight lines cross it? (Same with the NEC.) The dreaded clearance issue - it's not unique to North America - not even close.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

@@PGHammer21Adouble stack tracks can fit under wire, the only problem is that freight lines don’t want them for some reason. You can see double stack under wire on Septa in Norristown

[@frankd.5424]

Great video! I enjoyed seeing what were my old neighborhoods from 60 years ago. You missed Soldier Field on the right at 12th Street. I am amazed at your depth of knowledge of the various areas of the United States. I worked in New Haven on the I-95 Bridges from 2008 to 2013 so I enjoyed the Metra North vides as well,

[@davehammer1278]

The tracks you went under that you don't know is the former Chicago District line connection the NS Park Manor Yard (NS Chicago Line) to the NS Calumet Yard. Those tracks and connection have since been abandoned but the bridge remains.

[@toy4x4nj]

Great video. I rode this train from 57st,56th st, 55th st station to Millennium Station in August after a half day at Museum of Science and Industry.

[@airfinair]

That was Excellent! The best of your RFW Chicago series! Thanks for sharing.

[@frederickschulkind8431]

It has been 60+ years since I lived in that area. I was a child. The electrified suburban line ended at 211th Street. My father rode it to work. 211th Street was, at least then, US 30, often called Lincoln Highway. What I would like to know is who counted the streets. If I correctly remember what I have read in history books, the electrification dates to 1913.

[@richtrams]

Great video; thanks for posting. Please note that Central Station, former home of IC and MC through trains, was located at Roosevelt Road, adjacent to today's Museum Campus station, and not at the site of McCormick Place.

[@3985uprr]

Somehow I thought the Saint Charles airline was near Central Station. I looked at a map last night and it was indeed near Roosevelt Road. Hey I’m from Long Island so give me credit for what I do know 😀😀

[@scottyerkes1867]

Awesome METRA electric!!! Nice express run! Thanks RR.😀💚💚

[@michaeloneal8592]

Retired Railfan, it's great to have you in the Chicago area. I'm really enjoying your postings. Since I'm a lifelong resident of the South Suburbs and consider Metra Electric to be my "home" road, I thought I would comment on your comments. 1. The "missing station" between Harvey and Ivanhoe is 147th Street. The station was recently torn down and will be replaced by a brand new station. 2. The train crosses over the Calumet River just north of the Riverdale station. It is essentially the border between Chicago and the suburbs. 3. The facility at the left just south of Kensington is the KYD maintenance site where all work is performed on the Metra Electric fleet --- the Highliner II's. 4. The Amtrak platform at Homewood is brand new, having been constructed over the past several years and just reopened. 5. South Shore line trains no longer stop at Kensington is the connecting track was rebuilt and northbound trains join the ME main just north of the Kensington platform. The "interchange" point is now 55th-56th-57th street station

[@tyhik9338]

And KYD also stores retired trains

[@3985uprr]

What does this Irish Long Islander know anyway? I’m surprised I know as much as I know. I’ve been in Chicago many times years ago and I read books. Most important book I read was train watchers guide to Chicago

[@sherriganske4292]

Thank you

[@davehammer1278]

147th street is temporary closed for renovations. That was the station they skipped between Harvey and Ivanhoe.

[@JosephPerilongo]

When I lived in the South suburbs I rode this line almost every weekend. For $5 you could buy a Weekend pass and ride as much as you wanted. I would go downtown and change stations to ride on other lines. $5 was a real good deal.

[@3985uprr]

I think they still have those weekend passes

[@davehammer1278]

111th Street is Pullman to the right is part of the Pullman National Monument

[@101southsideboy]

the station you mentioned ay 26:22 is the Dolton's 147steet/ Sibley station . It was closed by Metra in may 2022 and is in the process o[f being rebuilt . I have been un able to find a opening date

[@Robbi496]

The line was extended to Richton in the 1950's, before that, it only went to Matteson

[@Robbi496]

After Riverdale you cross the Little Calumet River and South Shore Trains do not stop at 115th Street anymore :(

[@Robbi496]

Railfan! Central Station was at 12th Street (Roosevelt Road) 1 mile north of 23rd!

[@tyhik9338]

This is amazing

[@tyhik9338]

You're welcome to visit Chicago anytime

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

13:03 they also have the high level doors

[@PGHammer21A]

In addition to Metra's own Electric line (which I think of as "Electric Avenue", there is "State Street Single Line" in Indiana in the same area - DIB has a series on them here on KZbin as well). (Yes; there IS a song called "Electric Avenue" that could be the theme for either or both lines; chase it down on KZbin Music and give it a listen and you'll hear why.)

[@JoeSmith1962]

Great work as usual Mr. RR. What is the line that seems to pop up from the center at 48:50? Thanks.

[@3985uprr]

I failed to mention that but that is actually the Metra electric South Chicago branch

[@davehammer1278]

Little Calumet River is what you crossed over after Riverdale

[@JoeSmith1962]

Crossed it prior to Riverdale (Ivanhoe) too.

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

Ah, wonderful head end shots. I rode that line decades ago, back in the 1960's and 1970's when it was the Illinois Central. I loved the classic old electric MU cars. Were any of them saved? My memory is failing me, what is the voltage of that catenary? Seems to me it was some high voltage DC. Looking at these splendid head end shots makes me think if some clown from SEPTA in Philly became the manager of these lines, the first thing he'd do was order yellow caution tape across the front two rows of seats so nobody could sit there....lol..... Those jerks even have the front seats of the Market-Frankford subway/elevated cars roped off now. They should rope off their kitchen and dining room in their house. Maybe rope off a bedroom.

[@3985uprr]

Lately I’ve seen them only rope off the first row of seats. Sometimes 2. Did they rope off the market Street subway currently because I’m glad I did it last summer when they didn’t

[@davehammer1278]

did you stop by Pullman at all? well worth the visit as well

[@3985uprr]

No

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

Is it local or express?