FASCHING OR NO, THE CLUB CAR IS OPEN. To free up seats, Metra removed the serving areas from bar cars operating on the Milwaukee North and Rock Island lines. Regular riders have organized spontaneous saloons.

I knew that the old bar cars had been third from the train's tail end on some suburban lines, including Milwaukee District North, West and Rock Island. There was no mistaking them. Most Metra cars are funeral parlor-quiet, where an occasional cell phone ring is enough to draw dirty looks.

I took the Milwaukee North line home at a different time last week and discovered another group of bar-car regulars. They call themselves the 4:40s because that is the time their train departs Chicago. They made clear their distinction from the 3:55s, whom they described as rowdy construction workers. The 5:15s are a whole different bunch.The 4:40s included insurance agents, a union carpenter and a grocery store meat manager.

Again, vodka and cranberry juice appeared. (Is that the official North line drink or what?)

Sounds perfectly healthy to me, although a concoction of orange juice, cranberry juice and vodka would work better. If the orange juice is thick enough, one could layer the juices and make it look like a Hiawatha.

I've read stories about party time on the Milwaukee that date back to the steam era. It was dangerous to stand too close to the tracks, as the open windows were for disposing of empty beer bottles.