Magical North Pole Train Ride to Depart from Des Plaines

A special group of about 60 families will embark on at trip to see Santa from the Des Plaines Metra Depot Saturday morning.

The following information was provided by Metra: Operation North Pole shares the magic of Christmas and all the joy it can bring with 60 families who have a child or children suffering from life-threatening or terminal illnesses by taking them on a fanciful trip to the North Pole on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. This very special Polar Express ride will depart Des Plaines Metra station at 11:15 a.m. In this their fourth year of delighting families, Operation North Pole is wrapping the exteriors of two Metra train cars, as well as a partial interior, with bright holiday colors and images of Santa’s workshop. Operation North Pole is the first organization in the Chicago area to wrap a holiday train for the purpose of providing families who have …

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Metra Public Meeting to Discuss Project Funding Scheduled for November

Des Plaines Mayor Martin Moylan stated in the announcement, it was especially important for Metra to "accurately consider the projects and direction desired by the public and key stakeholders in order to make the most effective use of those scarce funding

Residents Dispute Bus Shelter Relocation Plan

Air quality, noise and security are among concerns.

A proposal to relocate the Pace bus shelter on Miner Street drew criticism from a group of residents at a city council meeting on July 2. City council discussed moving the bus shelter, currently in the 1400 block of Miner Street, across the street from the Metra depot, about two blocks southeast to the northeast corner of Miner and Pearson streets. The proposed location is in front of River Pointe Condominiums, which has buildings at 675 Pearson Street and 650 S. River Road. Many of the more than 55 residents that attended the meeting to voice their concerns live in River Pointe. “There is no legitimate reason why the bus stop should be moved from downtown,” said Al Brown, a River Pointe resident. “You are going to put a bus barn in the …

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Taking Metra This Weekend? No Food or Drinks

Metra riders are prohibited from bringing coffee and face other restrictions on what they can carry on trains during the NATO summit. Breast milk, however, is okay.

Metra has stepped up security throughout its rail system for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit at McCormick Place, including the Union Pacific/Northwest Line from May 19 to May 21. Riders will face security screenings and restrictions on what they can carry on to trains while global leaders are in town for the NATO summit, Metra announced. Earlier: Dold, Schakowsky spar over women’s healthcare issues. You may want to have a snack before boarding; riders will be prohibited from carrying food or beverages on the train. However, breast milk can be carried on a train but is subject to inspection and should be declared if you’re being screened. Riders may also see increased police presence and perhaps even a bomb-sniffing dog or two…

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Car Flies up on Train Tracks in Bizarre Crash

Both drivers were taken to the hospital after they crashed with such force that one car hurtled up about 10 feet onto an embankment; thousands of commuters were delayed an hour.

Train commuters in Des Plaines and elsewhere were delayed about an hour during the Tuesday afternoon rush hour due to an unusual auto accident in Park Ridge.  Two cars crashed on the street and the force of the crash hurtled one of them up an embankment slope onto the railroad tracks. Neither of the cars was hit by a train. The accident happened on Cumberland Street about a half-block north of Touhy, where Cumberland ends and drivers must turn westbound onto Cedar Street. Each car was carrying only the driver, said Park Ridge Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Sorensen, and both drivers were taken to the hospital. Earlier: Chicago’s 20 most dangerous intersections. Thousands of commuters were delayed because the accident stopped all trains in both …

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Des Plaines of Yesterday Recognizable on Miner Street after 60 Years

The downtown area still revolves around transportation.

The businesses have changed, and a few buildings have disappeared, but downtown's core still is centered on the transportation center, between Pearson and Lee streets. This picture, taken in the mid-1950s, captures a time when angled parking was still allowed on the north side of Miner Street and parallel parking along the south side. There was also a large green space with a colonnade of stately elm trees. Many of the buildings on the north side of the street still look much the same. The Kunisch building was then a currency exchange, now Teresa Tailor. The next building was then Frank's Apparel, and is soon to be home to MBD Martial Arts. Earlier: Martial arts studio plans to move downtown. Next door was the Zephyr Restaurant and Lounge…

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Old Metra Tickets Will Expire One Year from Purchase

Old Metra Tickets Will Expire One Year from Purchase

Trains Hit Cars Twice at Same Crossing in One Week

Both vehicles reported stolen.

For the second time in a week an abandoned car was hit by a Metra train on the North Central line early Monday morning, the Daily Herald reported. For the story, visit the Daily Herald’s website. Both incidents involved vehicles that were reported stolen; the first owner was from Morton Grove and the second from Elgin. Des Plaines police, Metra police, Morton Grove and Elgin police are cooperating in the ongoing investigation. Meg Reile, spokesperson for Metra, said, on average, several abandoned vehicles are struck by Metra trains throughout its 11 lines in the Chicago area each year. These two incidents, on Nov. 29 and Dec. 5, were unusual because they occurred at the same crossing, with the same train, within a week, she said. No …

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Car Hits Train on North Central Metra Line

Three trains stopped, more delayed.

Updated at 8 a.m. on Nov. 29: The crash occurred at the grade crossing at Seegers Road in Des Plaines, said Tom Miller, a spokesperson for Metra. Miller said train #100 hit an empty car parked on the tracks. There were no reported injuries, and Miller said the incident caused a 70-minute delay. Miller did not know how fast the train was traveling at the time of the impact, or if passengers had fled the vehicle before the crash. Train #102 is running 45 minutes late, and trains #104, #106 and #110 are all running approximately 20 to 30 minutes behind schedule, Miller said. Des Plaines police did not have any information to release about the incident. Reported at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 29: Three Metra trains been stopped north of O’Hare Transfer…

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Quinn Approves Universal Fare Card for RTA, Metra and Pace

Chicagoland commuters should have a more seamless way to use the three transit agencies by 2015.

A universal fare card system for RTA, Metra and Pace transportation systems was signed into legislation by Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday, according to the Chicago Daily Herald. The bill will "allow riders to use credit or debit cards or prepaid cards on all transit systems effective Jan. 1, 2015." "This is 21st century transit reform," Quinn said during the signing ceremony, according to The Chicago Tribune. “Now it's the law and everyone will work toward that date,” RTA deputy executive director of communications Diane Palmer told the Herald. “This is obviously a key priority for the RTA.” Additionally, the law calls for Metra to create a train tracking system that is similar to the Chicago Transit Authorities' Bus and Train Tracker programs, …

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