Passenger Trains > Metra considering renaming all of its lines

With Metra expecting to take over operations on the Union Pacific North, Northwest and West lines, Metra is looking to rename these lines.  Metra also sees this as an opportunity to rename all of its lines.  Rider input is being sought.

Metra press release with link to survey:

https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-seeking-feedback-on-potentially-renaming-lines

WGN TV piece:

Metra considers changing the names of all its lines, asks public to weigh in | WGN-TV



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/25 19:35 by RuleG.

So, a agency that is facing a fiscal cliff in less than 9 months is worrying about renaming lines that have history?   

clowns on the left, jokers on the right.   

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,5975104,page=1

As a former regular Chicago commuter pre-Metra (on the IC Electric, now Metra Electric service), and still occasional Metra passenger when I'm in Chicago several times a year, I have to say that this makes sense to me. I hope it works out. Credit to Metra for seeking to take advantage of the opportunity. If it's done, I hope it will be done simply, efficiently and cost-effectively. Some renaming projects elsewhere have had rather inflated costs in the use of expensive consultants and processes.

MC



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/25 19:52 by ironmtn.

As an ex-Chicagoan I fully agree with the below. I just hope they don't go all color coding like CTA and many other operators, there's alot more in name than a color.

Unless they do both, then I'm hip to the BN Green line, Wabash Blue line, IC Silver, and Milwaukee-North/Black and West/Orange! 

ironmtn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a former regular Chicago commuter pre-Metra (on
> the IC Electric, now Metra Electric service), and
> still occasional Metra passenger when I'm in
> Chicago several times a year, I have to say that
> this makes sense to me. I hope it works out.
> Credit to Metra for seeking to take advantage of
> the opportunity. If it's done, I hope it will be
> done simply, efficiently and cost-effectively.
> Some renaming projects elsewhere have had rather
> inflated costs in the use of expensive consultants
> and processes.
>
> MC

The survey will ask riders to choose between three options (see illustration here):

• Retaining all the current names and colors except for the three UP lines; 
• Using a single color for all lines and labeling all lines with an “M” for Metra paired with a number. For instance, M1, M2, M3, etc. 
• Using a single color for lines that share a downtown station, and labeling them with a letter to indicate the direction they go from downtown paired with a number. For instance, the three lines that use Ogilvie would be the same color, and would be labeled N1 (for the UP North), N4 (for the UP Northwest) and W2 (for the UP West).

Choosing between only the three options given to the public, I'd say leave the line names the same (except for "UP" since no change is being offered).

The "colors" issue could be reduced by not using separate colors for MED SC and MED BI branches. It is all MED. Beverly Branch is RI.

As far as the other two options offered, "M as in Metra" is the worst (these are not Michigan highways and one should not take M12 to University Park).
Directional lines at least have color but they seem impersonal.

SEPTA went on a re-designation spree of its transit lines that was just as stupid. Planners with too much time on their hands. 

Rearranging deck chairs.
What a bunch of goofs.

Such changes are usually pushed by some goof in high management that does not have the
mental capacity to understand the basics of what they manage.

Years ago some similar goof arrived from out east to save the CTA.
He renamed all the rapid transit lines so he could understand the system.
Instead of, in just one example, Lake / Dan Ryan named after the street and expressway the
route operated on was given a color name.

The above goof also initiated bus routes operating the wrong way on-one way downtown
streets that resulted in numerous pedestrian strikes in the then busy loop. People who worked in
the loop for years were not in the habit of looking or traffic in that direction.

I think we should rename the cardinal compass directions.
What relation to anything does north, east, etc., have ?
I like Santa Claus, Penguin, Sunrise, Sunset better.
Can I get a job in metra management now ?


 

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rearranging deck chairs.
> What a bunch of goofs.
>
> Such changes are usually pushed by some goof in
> high management that does not have the
> mental capacity to understand the basics of what
> they manage.
>
> Years ago some similar goof arrived from out east
> to save the CTA.
> He renamed all the rapid transit lines so he could
> understand the system.
> Instead of, in just one example, Lake / Dan Ryan
> named after the street and expressway the
> route operated on was given a color name.

Prior to that, CTA were giving the various lines NYCTA-like letter designations, so they had things like EH, JH, L, and R. 
Their choice of colors was not so smart. The initially planned to color the Ravenswood line yellow, but was politically incorrect since many people of Chinese descent live along it. They settled for Brown and Purple for the Ravenswood and Evanston lines, which share trackage and stops south of Belmont. But on mylar roil signs, it is difficult to distinguish between the colors of brown and purple until the train is up very close. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/25 05:42 by joemvcnj.

When I originally posted my thoughts about this above, I had forgotten the difficult financial condition that Metra is in. Not sure how that happened, because I've followed it previously, and thought about it while riding recently on a trip into Chicago. So thanks to "Typhoon" for the reminder. He had just posted while I was writing, and I hadn't seen his post when I made my previous comments.

Given that situation, this is a project that should at least be deferred, at least until finances are much better, and maybe never done at all. The improvement of Metra's finances are going to be a long slog, at the least. Even if this were done simply and efficiently, there will be costs. Both to do the actual process of seeking input from the public, tallying the responses, then weighing the responses and deciding. It's time on the clock for someone, however efficiently done, and that's time that could perhaps be better spent on other matters.

Then there's actually making the changes in all kinds of stuff, from operational documents, signage, timetables, PR materials, advertising and promotional materials, and more. That's more time on the clock for people, and lots of costs for physical materials. Even if done cheaply and efficiently, it's probably a cost, perhaps substantial, that Metra doesn't really need to bear right now.

Even so, Metra may be forced to do this. Will UP still want it's name, even just in the form of its initials, used for identification of corridors when it's no longer involved? The legal beagles have forced action on such matters elsewhere for less than that.

And posts in this thread suggest that the research part of the project, including seeking public input, may be underway. If so, then those costs are being borne. But even if that research is completed and those costs are sunk, there is still the second phase of all of the implementation costs. That can be deferred, and whatever was gleaned from research and discussion can be set aside for use another day. The situation on the ground probably won't materially change, so the research will have some shelf life and be good into the future. The costs of implementation can still be deferred for another time when the financial picture is better.

It still makes logical sense to do this. No one is being a "goof" by recognizing a logical case for doing so. And sorry "Englewood" and "Typhoon", you both don't have to be so condescending about it. But no matter how efficiently it's done, it will be a time, effort, cost and resource drain at a time when Metra's finances are very tight. So unless something forces Metra's hand, this is a project for another time, if ever. And if done sometime in the future for whatever reason, hopefully it will be at a time when Metra's finances are in better shape.

MC



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/25 06:12 by ironmtn.

I wonder if this is prompted by UP not wanting their brand used on a service they no longer operate?  They don't have much to gain, and plenty to lose, by allowing it to continue.  Much as railfan me likes the historic connection in naming, I realise as time passes the name of a former operator becomes less and less relevant to the traveling public.

Dave

DavidP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder if this is prompted by UP not wanting
> their brand used on a service they no longer
> operate?  They don't have much to gain, and
> plenty to lose, by allowing it to continue.  Much
> as railfan me likes the historic connection in
> naming, I realise as time passes the name of a
> former operator becomes less and less relevant to
> the traveling public.
>
> Dave

Would changing "UP" to "CNW" avoid that ? 

A,B,C etc. Done. Where at Metra do I send my consultant fee of $1 million to? Lol.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/25 08:22 by Jonny_Chi.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Englewood Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Rearranging deck chairs.
> > What a bunch of goofs.
> >
> > Such changes are usually pushed by some goof in
> > high management that does not have the
> > mental capacity to understand the basics of
> what
> > they manage.
> >
> > Years ago some similar goof arrived from out
> east
> > to save the CTA.
> > He renamed all the rapid transit lines so he
> could
> > understand the system.
> > Instead of, in just one example, Lake / Dan
> Ryan
> > named after the street and expressway the
> > route operated on was given a color name.
>
> Prior to that, CTA were giving the various lines
> NYCTA-like letter designations, so they had things
> like EH, JH, L, and R. 
> Their choice of colors was not so smart. The
> initially planned to color the Ravenswood line
> yellow, but was politically incorrect since many
> people of Chinese descent live along it. They
> settled for Brown and Purple for the Ravenswood
> and Evanston lines, which share trackage and stops
> south of Belmont. But on mylar roil signs, it is
> difficult to distinguish between the colors of
> brown and purple until the train is up very
> close. 

Chinese descent living along the Ravenswood line? Please tell me where? I live here and they’re almost all on the Orange Midway and Red State Street Subway lines.

In fact I’m in a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown having breakfast right now with orange and red line trains whirring past the window.

Posted from iPhone

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DavidP Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I wonder if this is prompted by UP not wanting
> > their brand used on a service they no longer
> > operate?  They don't have much to gain, and
> > plenty to lose, by allowing it to continue.
>  Much
> > as railfan me likes the historic connection in
> > naming, I realise as time passes the name of a
> > former operator becomes less and less relevant
> to
> > the traveling public.
> >
> > Dave
>
> Would changing "UP" to "CNW" avoid that ? 

I had the same thought but probably not. Companies acquiring other companies usually maintain the old trademarks so as to prevent competitors from using them.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/25 08:24 by Jonny_Chi.

PumpkinHogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As an ex-Chicagoan I fully agree with the below. I
> just hope they don't go all color coding like CTA
> and many other operators, there's alot more in
> name than a color.
>
> Unless they do both, then I'm hip to the BN Green
> 

Instead of the BN Green, how about the CB&Q Silver Line?

J.

The MBTA mostly uses the end terminal to name the line.  Some lines have been extended over the years, but the naming convention generally sticks.  e.g. - Worcester, Fitchburg, Rockport, etc.

Dave

Jonny_Chi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A,B,C etc. Done. Where at Metra do I send my
> consultant fee of $1 million to? Lol.
>
> Posted from iPhone

You don't get anything because "you ain't somebody that somebody sent"

Somebody that Somebody did sent must know Somebody that has a sign company. 

Changing the route names to what Metra suggests helps no one, IMO.  To me it seems like a no-brainer to name the Chicago - Kenosha route, The North Shore Line, for the historical RR significance.  The region, incidentally, is known to locals as The North Shore.

-John

Englewood Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jonny_Chi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A,B,C etc. Done. Where at Metra do I send my
> > consultant fee of $1 million to? Lol.
> >
> > Posted from iPhone
>
> You don't get anything because "you ain't somebody
> that somebody sent"
>
> Somebody that Somebody did sent must know Somebody
> that has a sign company. 

Does Mike Madigan count. lol.