Metra trains delayed/canceled in Waukegan

Metra officials are blaming a train derailment in Waukegan for heavy delays as they continue to cancel train after train on their Union Pacific North Line.

Metra spokesman Tom Miller said delays are averaging an hour and that some trains have been canceled all together after a train derailed coming out of the Metra train yard in Waukegan at 5:30 a.m.

He said the train that derailed was a nonrevenue train, and that the front wheels came of the track. The train was empty except for the crew, and blocked some of the service lines coming into and out of Waukegan, he said.

“It’s not completely blocking the line, but it’s causing delays for trains trying to get out the yard,” he said. The Union Pacific North Line services customers between Kenosha and Chicago, with stops in Lake Bluff, North Chicago, Zion and other areas along the north shore. Service updates at metrarail.com said numerous trains have been canceled, while others are operating between 60 minutes and 100 minutes behind schedule. The website also said people may want to seek alternate transportation into Chicago while the situation is fixed. For more information, check the Metra website at metrarail.com, or check back later for additional updates.