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.
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.
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.
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:38 pm:
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).
- Dysfunction Junction - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:20 am:
Boy, I don’t miss that cold. Or those Metra trains - at least since they got rid of the bar cars.
- Drake Mallard - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:23 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.
- Interim Retiree - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:27 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?
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:37 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.
- stateandlake - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:38 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.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:39 am:
According to marinetraffic.com the James J. Versluis is out on the lake, breaking up ice.
- Cool Papa Bell - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:43 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.
- The Ford Lawyer - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 9:59 am:
Ring of fiery railroad tracks at night…. it’s like every Johnny Cash song in one!
- Todd - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 10:16 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
- thisjustinagain - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 12:38 pm:
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).
- Commisar Gritty - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 1:37 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.
- Lurker - Tuesday, Feb 9, 21 @ 2:01 pm:
Loving respect but Cool Papa Bell and I will never be friends. š