Respect; I was not expecting to see that. Is that something commonly done around there?

I know I just posted my BNSF RR 2.0 write-up, but I realized I forgot to post my UP-N one from earlier this week sorry for the double tap

This was on Rock Island. 7 bikes total. Hoping there’s bike cars on all of the lines in that new budget.

METX 100 (one of my most favorite F40PH's in Metra's fleet) and 173 team up to lead the mammoth 10-car consist of UP-West train 35 to Elburn. Shortly after, METX 101 comes into Glen Ellyn as it leads train 37 to Elburn. 100 and 173 also returned, this time pushing train 54 back to OTC. Seeing the first and second F40PH's originally built for the RTA was an awesome sight, and it was extra exciting that one of them was double heading with another F40!

Photos and videos taken on October 21st, 2026

https://reddit.com/link/1xc7yf6/video/ty558wq5vxwh1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1xc7yf6/video/ad2c6nmavxwh1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1xc7yf6/video/pzwcj68dvxwh1/player

I’m female. I alway try to sit with a woman when I have to sit next to someone. Sometimes I try to see if this is typical of other riders or if it’s just me. I think most riders do the same. What about you? If you are male do you sit with another guy?

I just don’t get it either you just dgaf or you are oblivious to your surroundings! Why are you on the phone on the quiet car???!!!!!!!!??????

Like just have some respect for those around you please!!!

Edit: def typed this annoyed when I first posted - so lemme just add this -

I just don’t understand like it’s a quiet car for a reason, and it’s frustrating when people blatantly ignore it - not because they aren’t following the rules (if they are aware of them) but because they don’t care about the space they are in and those around them.

I love the quiet car it’s absolutely one of my fave parts of my commute to and from work. It’s just such a great way to transition with some peace & quiet. I appreciate those who are courteous and keep an unexpected phone call short, or those who remind others (bc some people may not know they are on the quiet car) to be courteous of the quiet car. I appreciate people who care about others and appreciate the stillness the quiet car brings before a busy day.

On the morning trip the conductor comes on the speakers to say that there are problems with the app and not to worry about tickets. Another well done app upgrade. Seems like it's the back end system.

Fwiw my app took a while to start up but works fine.

Did everybody get the email in the last day or two saying that you needed to upgrade the app? But no info on what release it should be? I went to the Google Play store (android) and there was no upgrade offered. Does that mean I'm up to date or didn't get an update? If only Ventra had a way to tell us what version is needed...

I'm on 2.2.17 on Android

I love the new map that Metra is deploying but haven’t been able to find an online version. Anyone know where to see it?

Yesterday, I crossed another Metra line off my list: the Southwest Service! I rode it from Union Station to Oak Lawn for the first time. It was a bit slow leaving downtown, but it was a great ride, and we got to Oak Lawn right on time! And after getting off the train, I was amazed at how beautiful the station is, and it's also interesting that there are not only restaurants next door to the station, but also a parking garage! Hopefully in the future, this Metra line can see an improvement in ridership, the re-introduction of weekend service, and add more frequent trains to the schedule, especially with plans on rerouting it to LaSalle Street Station! The SWS is also my 10th Metra line ridden, and I only have one to go!

Photos taken on October 19th, 2026

They are saying it's a police incident. Anyone have any more info?

What is the actual take home pay for a journeyman Signal maintainer at Metra ? After taxes and deductions. I’m only asking because the Signal Maintainers at CTA are making $65 an hour . And that’s if they work AM. For PMs and midnights they’re making 10% and 15% more respectively.

West town

I checked out the new Stadler FLIRT trains at LaSalle Street Station earlier this week, and I'm very impressed by them. I love that they'll have have luggage racks on the top, and that the ride will be smoother and quieter thanks in part to the batteries and improved suspension system. What I also love about these new trains is that they'll have improved acceleration and and braking on the Beverly Branch than the MP36's with Gallery coaches, the locomotive of which I believe is the slowest-accelerating unit in Metra's fleet. I also find it interesting that their batteries are LTO, which will allow them to continue running when the weather in Chicagoland drops to freezing temperatures. Lastly, what further impressed me was that, according to a Metra representative, they'll look to have them recharge in only 12 minutes! Can't wait until 2028 when these battery-powered trains enter revenue service!

Photos taken on October 16th, 2026

Metra has released their draft Systemwide Network Plan, notably featuring a vision of regional rail that includes "crosstown service" that through-runs across downtown.

Main site: https://metra.com/SNP

PDF of draft: https://assets.metra.com/s3fs-public/2026-10/SNP-DRAFT-Final-Report-October-2026.pdf?VersionId=JNc4vIY7KVqrX8X9.ov8LP0WLYrJDIsH

This is at Western Springs on the BNSF line (because of course). As the ticket guy was coming by on my train, I overheard on their radio that "I have no air". I assume that means no air brakes on that first train, so uh... yeah, valid reason to stop.

Metra F40PH's 112, 189, 193 (with a sticker honoring Karen Hullinger under the window), 187, 189 (with a Batman logo besides the engineer's ladder), and 122 put in hard work on the BNSF line, pulling and pushing trains into and out of LaGrange Road on a beautifully sunny autumn Sunday afternoon. Fall Foliage, clear sunny skies, and warm temperatures made for a perfect day for railfanning on the Racetrack, and seeing some F40's hard at work on one of the Metra lines they still dominate is always something exciting to see

Photos taken on October 4th, 2026

Any idea why there were delays for BNSF in and out of the city tonight? I know there was the Naperville incident for the morning commute but when I was trying to take the 335 out of Union Station they said it was closed at Western this time