Commuter operator has decorated trains for the season, inside and out
Metra Rock Island District train No. 619 arrives at the 99th Street station on the Beverly Branch on Dec. 1, 2023. David Lassen
CHICAGO — Metra announced earlier this year that it would use trains decorated for special holiday excursions — which have been running to downtown Chicago on various routes on Saturdays since Dec. 2 — in regular commuter service, as well [see “Metra, CTA set plans …,”Trains News Wire, Nov. 19, 2023]. This is a first for the commuter service, and has extended to nine of its 11 lines (the exceptions being the SouthWest Service and Heritage Corridor).
The last of the Saturday specials runs this week on the Metra Electric and UP North lines, and the runs in regular commuter service are winding down on most lines, per the schedule in this press release. That schedule notes it is subject to change, and based on personal experience, not all of these trains have run as scheduled. So, while there’s still a chance to see some of these trains in operation, a note of caution is advised.
For those who are not in the area, here are a few photos of the holiday trains in action — as well as a few shots of the interior of one of the trains, which can be lavishly decorated, as well.
Another look at F40PH-3 No. 111, at Blue Island, Ill., as it prepares to push train No. 630 to Chicago. David LassenF40PH-3 No. 104, the unit honoring Chicago, pushes Milwaukee District West holiday special WX2 toward Chicago Union Station on Dec.2, 2023. David LassenAlso decorated with lights is Metra’s Burlington heritage F40PHM-3 No. 211, handling holiday special No. 9001 on Dec. 2, 2023. David LassenThe interior of a gallery car on Metra BNSF train No. 1233 on Dec. 8, 2023. Russell SharpHandrails become candy canes, and lights are visible in the seating area, on this gallery car. Russell SharpU.S. Rep Mike Quigley admires the decorations on another decorated trainset during a Metra Congressional special on Dec. 10, 2023, in a photo posted to Quigley’s account on X (formerly Twitter).The aforementioned congressional special, with SD70MACH No. 507 joining using holiday-train unit 104, passes the Belmont Avenue/Franklin Park station en route to the O’Hare Transfer staiton on Dec. 10, 2023. David LassenF40PH-3 No. 134, its holiday lights only minimally visible on a mostly sunny day, pushes Union Pacific Northwest special train 7902 toward the Ogilvie Transportation Center on Dec. 9, 2023. David LassenShare this article
