Passenger Trains > Chicago bridge malfunction

Currently in Chicago Union Station there are announcements about Metra Southwest Sercive trains switching platforms because of "an earlier bridge malfunction." It's possible a very late inbound Floridian is also affected by this. My guess would be that the bridge at 21st is having issues in the hot weather.

Interestingly, not only was the St. Charles Air Line bridge in the down position last night, there also was a string of MOW equipment on the western ramp. It was so much equipment that it could be for something totally different, but it's a surprise to see anything on that weedy ramp to the bridge.

If it was in service, there would be a clunky but functional detour around 21st St. Lately I've seen more CN MOW trucks and employees working around the eastern landing of the bridge span.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/25 14:41 by inCHI.

I have mentioned many times on TO how vulnerable the Chicago operation is to a malfunction of the 100+ year old
South Branch Bridge.  A new bridge is not a "hot" project like the less than high speed Lincoln Service or Michigan
Service but it is a single point of failure that brings it all to a halt.

 

The St. Charles Air Line bridge is finally back in the seated position?  Hallelujah, miracles do happen.
It was up for several years, correct?  Glad they finally sourced the necessary parts.  When the 21st Street
Bridge fails, if the Air Line is unavailable, the south end of CUS might as well relocate to Cermak Road, 
with the exception of the commuter trains on the Q, of course.

p.s. I just found the thread on the Eastern Railroads discussion about the Bridge.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/25 01:13 by Seventyfive.

I talked to a CN guy a week ago, they are installing new ties on the Air Line bridge..

Good to hear, clearly it is needed as at least an emergency alternative. When it was last open it also gave flexibility for CN/IC trains. For example, the Saluki leaves at 8:15am. The northbound City of New Orleans often arrives around then. With the Air Line, the Saluki could hold on the bridge at 16th while CONO takes the Freeport Sub to 21st, or vice versa. That way both trains aren't waiting on the entire reverse move at 21st to be in the clear and complete; the Saluki would already be clearing 16th before the CONO fully reversed at 21st.

Before all of the construction there was an eastbound and westbound track over the bridge. Both trains could have held on the connection tracks.
As of December only the eastward track extends more than a few feet beyond the east end of the bridge.
It will be interesting to see the new layout once the CN-IC is reconnected.