Something unique on Metra...

[Blutorse4792]

Many Chicago railfans are unaware of an intriguing anomaly on the Metra Union Pacific/North Line...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_553

This car (a rebuilt C&NW lounge) is not actually owned by Metra or the UP, but by the riders themselves. It runs in and out of Chicago 2x daily, arriving just before 9am and leaving just after 5pm. While it was previously limited to (male) members of affluent families, it's now open to anybody who pays an additional $900 on top of their monthly fee. Unfortunately, it sounds as if membership is dwindling, so I advise those of you in northern Illinois to try and see it as soon as you can, it might not be around that much longer. Hopefully, it (and at least one of those F40Cs on the MILW lines) will end up out at Union with the other ex-C&NW Metra equipment when their time is finally up.

It also used to have a sister, Car 555, but nobody seems to know what became of it...

 

[Euphod]

Interesting. I used to take the North Line everyday when I lived in Northbrook, but I never saw this car. Could be because I had to be downtown at 7am, and left there at 4pm! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Blutorse4792]

Northbrook is on the MILW/North, isn't it? This car only runs on the UP/North.

That being said, at least you had a chance to get pulled by the F40Cs (Didn't they also have that unique "bar car" service a few years ago?)

I really need to get pictures of 611 and 614 before they're gone. Same with the old IC Highliners downtown.

 

[Euphod]

Northbrook is on the MILW/North, isn't it? This car only runs on the UP/North.

That being said, at least you had a chance to get pulled by the F40Cs (Didn't they also have that unique "bar car" service a few years ago?)

I really need to get pictures of 611 and 614 before they're gone. Same with the old IC Highliners downtown.

Yes, I had to drive a bit East to pick up the line, as I worked at 70 West Madison, and it was more convenient for me to walk less to the other station.

 

[Klinger]

intersting. I spent many years in Evanston between Main and Davis, and I have never once seen this car

 

[Blutorse4792]

Yeah, I've lived on the UP/N my entire life, yet I saw it for the first time only about 5/6 years ago.

 

[Blutorse4792]

Yes, I had to drive a bit East to pick up the line, as I worked at 70 West Madison, and it was more convenient for me to walk less to the other station.

Ah, that makes sense.

 

[Euphod]

I remember it depended entirely on what time I rolled out of bed in the morning... I do remember having a couple of beers in the bar car though!

 

[wilh]

I have heard of this car before and seen some pics of it, but I didn't think that it was still around. As for 555, it still exists. Here is a link to a recent pic of it: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1492530

 

[daylightguy]

I call it the rare bird of Metra I have actually seen this car a had full of times I think it is a club car for the excusively the north line I belive you have to pay extra to ride in this car but I remember seeing this car twice in kenosha and hen once in northwestern station while rideing the green line. Also Ed I do think there is an entrance to Union station right across the street from Northwestern.

 

[Euphod]

But, thankfully I don't work downtown any longer...