Behind the Scenes at Metra

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Welcome to our archive of stories taking you behind the scenes at My Metra. These include features about our riders, workers, system, equipment, policies, procedures and much more!

February 8th, 2019

Reports of issues at Chicago area rail crossings have been in the spotlight lately. A malfunctioning railroad gate could present a serious… read more

January 25th, 2019

  Late into the evening on Wednesday, Jan. 9, a group of Metra railroaders organized via email an early morning plan to place a… read more

November 9th, 2018

Michelle Caffero used to feel claustrophobic at her job as the storekeeper of Metra’s Western Avenue Storehouse. But in the past three… read more

November 2nd, 2018

Some new players are nearly ready to be added to Metra’s locomotive roster. The first of 21 F59PHI locomotives Metra purchased from… read more

September 28th, 2018

  Dark clouds form over a group of Metra electricians as they duck to avoid striking their heads against an overhead wire system… read more

August 10th, 2018

  The computerized voice states the word so calmly it doesn’t sound like there’s cause for concern. “Defect. Defect.” Despite… read more

April 20th, 2018

  A curious parade has taken the place of train service on the Milwaukee District North Line. On the northernmost part of the… read more

February 23rd, 2018

Snowstorms and winter weather affect more than the road conditions in the Chicagoland area; they affect the railroad, too. One particular… read more

January 12th, 2018

Surprising your outgoing CEO with a locomotive outfitted in a vintage paint job in his honor requires a 12-pack of colored pencils, one… read more

December 8th, 2017

Imagine making a phone call from a moving train. That was probably too easy. Imagine walking to a wall-mounted phone, swiping your… read more