METRA TIPS/PHOTOS
SOUTHWEST SERVICE
This line had been operated by Norfolk Southern until 1993, when Metra began leasing the line and operating the trains directly. The Wabash Railroad operated a dedicated commuter service to and from Orland Park from around 1893 until 1932. After which the commuter market was served by a single local passenger train each way, operating between Chicago and Decatur. With the schedule within the Chicago area coinciding with the typical rush hour. In 1962, the train began operating strictly between Chicago and Orland Park. Most of the trackage between Manhattan and Gibson City has since been abandoned, with traffic diverted to CN's former Illinois Central routes. This line serves what now is one of the fastest growing suburban areas near Chicago. But under Norfolk Southern operation, Metra was never able to expand the service rapidly enough to meet this growing demand. A supplemental Pace express bus service had been needed along this route, with buses stopping only at the train stations and with Metra fares applying. Mid day Metra service was added in 1993, finally enabling railfans to make a round trip on the line. Various improvements were made over the next several years, enabling the line to finally become a full service Metra line effective January 30, 2006. But service remained on weekdays only until March 21, 2009, when Saturday service was finally introduced. Most of the route is double track, with some single track segments. The first stop outside Chicago Union Station is Wrightwood, just beyond Norfolk Southern's Landers piggyback facility. Freight train activity is moderate between Chicago and Landers, but minimal beyond there. The area beyond is mostly suburban residential, and at the outer end of the line there are some scenic undeveloped areas. Commuter service originally ended at 143rd Street in Orland Park, but has since been extended further south, first to 153rd Street, later to 179th Street, and effective January 30, 2006 to Manhattan. Initially, only two rush hour trains served Manhattan, requiring railfans riding the entire line to make their own arrangements at the end. But at various times, schedule changes sometimes made it easier for railfans to ride the entire line.
Speed Limits:
Chicago-74th Street: 60 mph
74th Street-Oak Lawn: 50 mph
Oak Lawn-Manhattan: 79 mph
Scenes along the line.
Metra Southwest Expansion
Report from the expansion and extension of this line, January 30, 2006.