Cold Spring Shops sources suggest that additional passenger trains are a possibility, in order to encourage some riders to use the Union Pacific in preference to the Burlington line, which is used to capacity even with three tracks throughout and an impressive mix of express and local trains at the rush hours. Additional crossovers on the Galena Division would permit similar services on that line, with turnback trains at Wheaton, for instance, in addition to the existing turnback trains at Elmhurst.Completion of the third main line on the route will provide capacity to keep trains moving. Installing two universal crossovers will close a 15-mile gap between crossovers on the line, increasing the use of multiple tracks to bypass rail congestion. An upgraded rail signal system will allow trains to safely operate closer together and improve train flow.
While there are no current plans to increase overall train volume on the west line, other trains will be able to operate while commuter trains are in stations as a result of the upgrades.
These improvements will result in up to a 50 percent reduction in passenger and freight train delays, Metra on-time performance will improve, and overall grade crossing gate downtime will improve by at least 11 percent. Communities also will see fewer trains parked for extended periods of time.
The project also includes what the carriers describe as enhanced station safety, including illuminated signs at the pedestrian crossings that will display ANOTHER TRAIN COMING messages when another train is coming. As if the distracted, cell-phone yakking, too-stressed-to-wait casualties in the making are going to notice that message. It's really simple, people. If the crossing protection is working, WAIT. It's not smart to walk in front of your train, even if the doors are still open, and it's risky to walk behind your train without verifying that the tracks are clear. Any track at any time in either direction ...
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