I still have no idea how Metra manages to make such convenient commuter trains that make so many stops and bring easy transportation to so many people, while still being fast. It gets you into Chicago 15 minutes earlier than you would be if you were driving. They also have good service and decent trains. But I still can’t grasp the fact that they accomplish all of this while sharing freight lines and using 30 year old Diesel engines. It’s just mind blowing. With how good Metra has made trains in Illinois with what they have now. Imagine how good they could make trains across the entire country if they got $5 billion, plus government funding until they didnt need it.
Metra started with professional railroad managers. Other agencies like SEPTA in Philadelphia started with political cronies. CTA had the professionals but switched to the cronies over the decades.
J.J. is a legend on the CNW/UP! He was a member of the CNW's brakeman training school for years. I will always remember his smiling face. I met him in 1974 when I hired out on the CNW as a switchman. I also ran into his brother (also J.J. Keigley) on the BN when I was taking a Metra downtown one morning in the 1990s. His brother looks just like him and when I saw his name plate on his uniform I was dumbfounded and asked him if he was related to a J.J. Keigley on the CNW/UP and he said yes.
my father hired on the Rock Island in 1974 after viet nam…..when the CRIP went bankrupt in march 31 1980 my father went to the Chicago and northwestern....then in 1991 to the BN till 95 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.....I remember my father telling me about this man....I think he worked freight with him in the early 1980s......Great job JJ and thankyou for your service in VN!!!!!!!
This makes me proud to be a railroad person, people like J.J. inspire me & encourages to get up in the morning & ignore all the B.S. that we as railroad workers deal with. Thank U J.J. & U deserved this !!!
I am just obsessed with Metra. My friend and I just recently took Metra to union station, then a bus over to Navy Pier. The employees are so nice, and help you get to where you need to go. I’m very happy to be a fan of railroads
