News & Reviews News Wire Metra releases proposed Rock Island schedule for PTC operation NEWSWIRE

Metra releases proposed Rock Island schedule for PTC operation NEWSWIRE

By Angela Cotey | October 17, 2018

| Last updated on November 3, 2020

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Metra_RI_Beverly_Lassen
A Metra Rock Island District train curves from the main line onto the Beverly Branch in August 2018. Metra has released a proposed schedule for the Rock Island District including adjustments for operation with positive train control.
TRAINS: David Lassen

CHICAGO — Metra has unveiled its proposed schedule revision for the Rock Island District, incorporating changes driven by the introduction of positive train control on the line, as well as other adjustments, and is soliciting public comment on the new plan.

The changes reflect the increased time need to “flip” a train, or prepare it to return in the other direction, when it reaches the end of the line. That time increases because of the requirements of the PTC computer system. The new schedule also addresses requests for an earlier arrival by the first weekday inbound train to Chicago, proposing a train that would arrive at 5:35 a.m. It also would split one current all-stop train in each direction into two trains, one of which would make some stops and then run express, and the other covering the additional stops.

The proposed new schedule is available on the Metra website. The current schedule is here. Public comment will be accepted here until Oct. 31. Metra’s goal is to introduce the new service in January.

Metra underwent a similar process when PTC was introduced on the BNSF line, and made some adjustments to its original proposal based on comment. [See “Metra begns service with new BNSF schedule,” Trains News Wire, June 11, 2018.]

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