Fire causes delays on UP West through Thursday
As a result of a fire that damaged vital switches and signals Tuesday, Metra commuters on the UP West Line can expect delays continuing into Thursday.
Metra canceled three outbound trains Tuesday afternoon and predicted slowdowns of up to 30 minutes. Repairs could take two days with a return to normal not expected until midday Thursday.
The fire early Tuesday morning occurred because of an electrical short at a facility that acts as the brains of an extensive network of signals and switches between Melrose Park and Berkeley stations. Thousands of wires were destroyed and need to be replaced.
Although trains will leave at normal times, engineers will be required to get permission from dispatchers before entering the two-mile area between the stations and will have to travel at slow speeds. The procedure is required by federal rules when there are no signals, spokesman Michael Gillis said.
Some trains operating Tuesday also were altering their schedules to make extra stops.
Metra and Union Pacific Railroad officials apologized for the issues.
For more information, go to metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html.