Metra Electric Resumes Limited Service: Update

HOMEWOOD, IL — The Metra Electric train has resumed service for some trains after an overnight ice storm halted all trains coming into and out of the Chicago.

Metra officials announced that the line will operate on a Saturday schedule, with an addition of one 7 p.m. departure to Blue Island.

Trains slowly began operating Tuesday with the first one to leave Millennium Station at 1:20 p.m. and make all scheduled stops to University Park. The inbound train 126 is planned to depart University Park at 1:47 p.m. and make all scheduled stops to Chicago.

Earlier in the day, Metra halted the line that serves the south suburbs because the ice storm caused problems on its lines.

Metra officials have been suggesting that customers take the Rock Island trains or use CTA services. CTA will honor Metra tickets on the Red Line and on these bus routes: 71, 26, 28, 6, J14, 2, 1, 115 and 119.

In a tweet, Metra officials said that ice on wires prevent the pantographs from making contact, so trains don't have power.

The ice storm expired at 9 a.m., the National Weather Service said, and the region was scrambling to clean up. Dense fog hung over Cook, Will and surrounding counties. Major road arteries coming into and out of Chicago were covered with ice and snow, as were county and local roads in the southwest suburbs.

The train line has struggled during this season's brutal cold. At the end of January, the Metra Electric line shut down for at least four days as crews repaired cold-related power line problems.

However, for the first time in its history, Metra is offering free rides for an entire weekend. The railway said the promotion is aimed to increasing weekend ridership while commending Chicago area residents for coping with recent extreme cold.

Photo via Patch archives.