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Jun 07, 2023

Metra Rock Island train service returns to normal Tuesday after derailment

By Shardaa Gray, Kris Habermehl Updated on: August 28, 2023 / 3:08 PM / CBS Chicago CHICAGO (CBS) -- Metra Rock Island inbound and outbound train traffic was halted in the city due to the derailment

By Shardaa Gray, Kris Habermehl

Updated on: August 28, 2023 / 3:08 PM / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Metra Rock Island inbound and outbound train traffic was halted in the city due to the derailment of train No. 704 on Monday.

The first car behind the locomotive appeared to derail at a switch near 18th and Clark streets around 8:30 a.m., but all the cars were upright. CBS 2's Kris Habermehl noted at least one rail was bent.

The incident forced hundreds of passengers to evacuate the train and created big delays for other riders.

Metra said there would be limited outbound service on the Rock Island line for the evening rush, but inbound service coming from Joliet was suspended. Metra added it needed to prioritize those leaving downtown Chicago.

The derailment happened at what's called the choke point, where three tracks turn into two. There was only one track available due to the derailment.

Habermehl said rerailing the locomotive would take a lot of work on Monday. He added it was a slow speed derailment. The train jumped the switch from one track to another.

Six of the seven cars made it, but the car closest to the engine dropped one of the wheels on the switch and the locomotive went with it.

According to emergency dispatch reports, there were about 600 people on the train. A viewer sent in photos of passengers who were on the derailed train walking to the Red Line and many on the platform.

Gabrielle Nettles was one of those passengers. He was planning to ride the train and pick up her sister, who would have been a first-time rider, but those plans were cut short.

"I was thinking I was going to miss the train and it's usually four minutes late," Nettles said. "So I gave myself some leeway. I was watching the tracks from the Red Line and I just didn't see it at all. I was like, 'Hmm, maybe it's really late.' So it's just not there at all."

According to initial reports from the Chicago Fire Department, there were no injuries.

Metra said it anticipates operating a normal schedule on the line Tuesday, though trains may experience up to 15 minute delays due to the derailment.

Metra anticipates operating a normal schedule on the Rock Island Line tomorrow, Aug 29. Trains may experience up to 15min delays due to the earlier derailment. Please listen to platform announcements and visit https://t.co/q3J2cQ6DW9 for schedule information.

Shardaa Gray is a Multimedia Reporter for CBS 2 Chicago. She joined the team in December 2021. She was born and raised in the south suburbs. She's happy to return home to report on her community.

First published on August 28, 2023 / 9:01 AM

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