Freight Train Derailment Halts Metra North Central Service
Updated 01/28/14 - 11:49 a.m.
MUNDELEIN, Ill. (CBS) -- Metra passengers in many north suburbs had to find another way to get around on Tuesday, after a freight train derailment forced Metra to halt North Central Service trains until further notice.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports a Canadian National Railway train derailed in Mundelein early Tuesday, blocking all other trains that use the same tracks, including Metra North Central Service -- which runs between Antioch and Union Station.
All trains on the North Central line have been halted for the entire day on Tuesday, as crews worked to get several cars from that CN freight train back on the tracks, and get the train moving again. North Central Service trains will not run again until Wednesday morning.
"CN crews have been working to re-rail their freight train, move it from the scene of the derailment in Mundelein, and inspect and repair damage to the tracks. They also have several other freight trains that were stopped due to the accident that must be moved before our service can resume," Metra said in a statement on its website. "They expect this process to take at least until early evening today. In order to give them time to make a full recovery from the accident, Metra will not resume service on the line until Wednesday morning, January 29, when we expect to provide our normal weekday schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and understanding."
North Central Service handles about 5,800 passenger trips a day -- or approximately 2,900 passengers taking round trips.
Metra commuters who normally use North Central Service were encouraged to use the Milwaukee District/North Line -- which operates between Fox Lake and Union Station -- or some other mode of transportation.
The derailed freight train also was blocking several intersections in the Mundelein area. Workers were using heavy equipment to get the car back on the tracks and move the train and fix the rails.
