CHICAGO — For the first time in six years, the Operation North Pole train for seriously and terminally ill children and their families is set to operate on Metra on Dec. 20, with Metra and Operation North Pole encouraging area residents to come view the train to show support for those on board.
The train will operate on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line, with its trip including a charity event at the Barrington, Ill., station, while at the starting point, Pingree Grove, the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department, Crystal Lake Police Department, McHenry County Fire Department, and local school children will be singing carols and handing out treats for those onboard. On arrival in Des Plaines, local first responders and Santa and Mrs. Claus will escort the families to an event at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
Because of buses and escort vehicles involved in the event, and to accommodate the needs of the families, the public is encouraged to view the train between the Pingree Road and Cumberland stations.
The train’s schedule on Dec. 20:
— 12:30 p.m.: Depart Pingree Road station, Crystal Lake
— 12:35 p.m.: Cary
— 12:38 p.m.: Fox River Grove
— 12:44 p.m.: Barrington (Pack the Train Depot charity event, noon to 1 p.m.)
— 12:51 p.m.: Palatine
— 12:55 p.m.: Arlington Park
— 12:58 p.m.: Arlington Heights
— 1:06 p.m.: Cumberland
— 1:10 p.m.: Arrive at North Pole (Des Plaines)
More information, including details on how to volunteer or donate, is available at the Operation North Pole website.
The specially decorated Operation North Pole train is now in use on Metra’s three Union Pacific lines and will be used for the Metra Holiday Train on the UP Northwest Line on Dec. 13. With the exception of that trip and the Operation North Pole train, the ONP trainset will operate on the Northwest Line through Dec. 14, the UP North Line Dec. 15-21, and the UP West Line Dec. 22-Jan. 2.
