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* Just a wee bit chilly…
Whenever the Chicago area sees dangerously cold weather, one question dominates: "Is Metra lighting the tracks on fire?"https://t.co/cQLycHuzhU
— WTTW (Chicago PBS) (@wttw) February 8, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:15 am
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Boy, I don’t miss that cold. Or those Metra trains - at least since they got rid of the bar cars.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:20 am
With all the Marvels of the modern world. We have to still at times revert to our oldest most primitive discovery, fire, to keep things running.
Comment by Drake Mallard Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:23 am
Why is it that law enforcement vilifies gang/mob members for their code of silence but police are seemingly proud of THEIR code of silence?
Comment by Interim Retiree Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:27 am
The town I grew up in had two railyards (one of the few towns our size that had two in the country), growing up my dad said they didn’t use gas but would use coal and start coal fires for the switches.
As a long time Metra commuter, today would not be a good day to be riding Metra.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:37 am
Metra has long had plans to realign the trackage in that area to eliminate this A2 interlocking just east of the Western Ave station. The control equipment in the adjacent tower dates back to the 1930s. It is perfectly safe, but high maintenance. Most switches now are heated electronically, but these gas fed heaters are the only ones that will do the job with so many tightly packed switches.
Comment by stateandlake Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:38 am
According to marinetraffic.com the James J. Versluis is out on the lake, breaking up ice.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:39 am
As long as my heat stays on - I actually love this kind of cold weather.
I personally enjoy the test it gives all of us. I bundle up and head out of walks more when its this cold than I would in a normal winter. I walk the area forest preserves and take time to see how nature reacts. Watching the growing ice cover on lakes, ponds and small streams is enjoyable.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:43 am
Ring of fiery railroad tracks at night…. it’s like every Johnny Cash song in one!
Comment by The Ford Lawyer Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:59 am
yes once of those Chicago traditions. but with the cold out there, yall seem to need a little bit of comic relief. . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CwJFzMeqwc
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:16 am
Switch heaters are used in all kinds of cold-weather climates, far outside of Chicago. You’ll also see flames on the tracks when some rail repairs are needed in bitter cold weather; fire is used to expand the rails close enough together to weld or bolt them together again (yes, some rails are still 39 feet long and bolted together even today).
Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:38 pm
*insert gif of Elmo standing in front of a roaring inferno*
Like a phoenix raised from the ashes, Metra is the way to really fly.
Comment by Commisar Gritty Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 1:37 pm
Loving respect but Cool Papa Bell and I will never be friends. 😁
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 2:01 pm