Derailment Delays Metra Commuters

CHICAGO -- Metra officials said more than 9,000 commuters were delayed for up to an hour Friday morning (May 17) when the locomotive of a southbound Metra Milwaukee North line train derailed about 8:15 a.m. as the train approached Chicago's Union Station, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Some Metra service was disrupted through Friday night's commute because of track damage caused by the derailment.

The locomotive remained upright and no injuries were reported, but the derailment backed up other trains, both inbound and outbound, using the north side of Union Station, said Metra spokeswoman Audrey Renteria. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

Metra's North Central line service downtown was canceled through Friday night's rush.

All trains on Metra's Milwaukee West and Milwaukee North lines made all stops Friday evening, delaying the arrival home of many passengers. Renteria said normal service was expected to resume this morning (May 20).