clkayleib
RTA Highliners 8-15-79
Inbound train of Highliner MU's stop at Van Buren st, Chicago IL as outbound mu train 215 (Blue Island local) approaches 8-15-79.
In my opinion (and I may get into trouble here), the IC (Metra Electric) suburban service was one of the best planned suburban services in the United States.
1 It is completely seperate from the mainline freight and passenger operations (on the University Park line-and freight operations on the South Chicago and Blue Island lines are minimal to nonexistent). As a result CN, and Amtrak do not have to try to weave their operations around the "dinky" rush on the electric lines as the railroads do on the other Chicago suburban lines and the mainline tracks could be removed without affecting Metra's operations.
2 It uses high-level platforms exclusively (in Chicago, uniquely for a "steam" road), thereby speeding up loading and unloading. (yes, I know Metro-North and Long Island use high-level platforms only, but this dates only from the 1970's-IC predated them by almost 50 years.)
3 It was the only Chicago "steam" (not interurban or rapid transit) commuter operation to electrify. (Easterners may take electrifications for granted, but the IC stood out in Chicago.)
RTA Highliners 8-15-79
Inbound train of Highliner MU's stop at Van Buren st, Chicago IL as outbound mu train 215 (Blue Island local) approaches 8-15-79.
In my opinion (and I may get into trouble here), the IC (Metra Electric) suburban service was one of the best planned suburban services in the United States.
1 It is completely seperate from the mainline freight and passenger operations (on the University Park line-and freight operations on the South Chicago and Blue Island lines are minimal to nonexistent). As a result CN, and Amtrak do not have to try to weave their operations around the "dinky" rush on the electric lines as the railroads do on the other Chicago suburban lines and the mainline tracks could be removed without affecting Metra's operations.
2 It uses high-level platforms exclusively (in Chicago, uniquely for a "steam" road), thereby speeding up loading and unloading. (yes, I know Metro-North and Long Island use high-level platforms only, but this dates only from the 1970's-IC predated them by almost 50 years.)
3 It was the only Chicago "steam" (not interurban or rapid transit) commuter operation to electrify. (Easterners may take electrifications for granted, but the IC stood out in Chicago.)