![A metra train passing through a stop light](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0014-2.jpg)
The headlights of an eastbound Metra train slice through the rain and heavy fog setting in over Elgin, Ill., in November of 2012.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A metra train passing through a stop light](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0014-2-100x80.jpg)
![Passengers waiting in the rain to board the metra](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0019-3.jpg)
An early morning mix of rain and sleet greets commuters as they board a Metra train at the Bartlett, Ill., station in 2012.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![Passengers waiting in the rain to board the metra](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0019-3-100x80.jpg)
![A business train pulling into a station](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0041.jpg)
The skies open up at the Whiting, Ind., station in April of 2012 as Norfolk Southern’s business train heads to New York with an A-B-B-A set of covered wagons, all built in the early 1950s.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A business train pulling into a station](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0041-100x80.jpg)
![Snowy tracks with little flames on them with a city in the background](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0043-4.jpg)
Midnight fires glow during the night of Jan. 19, 2012, at Tower A-2 of the Western Avenue Metra plant (Chicago) in an effort to keep the switches from freezing over.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![Snowy tracks with little flames on them with a city in the background](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0043-4-100x80.jpg)
![A train plowing through the snow](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_00042.jpg)
A Chicago & North Western F-unit is the first train to plow through the snow left by a 1979 storm in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A train plowing through the snow](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_00042-100x80.jpg)
![A rainbow over a railroad crossing](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_002.jpg)
A rainbow arcs over the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern in Bartlett, Ill., shortly after a big storm struck the area in 2010.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A rainbow over a railroad crossing](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_002-100x80.jpg)
![Passengers waiting outside in the snow for a train](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0034.jpg)
Metra express train speeds through sub-zero temperatures and 2 feet of snow as it approaches Bartlett Station in 2011. Although commuters have braved the cold in anticipation of catching the train, this one will not be stopping to pick them up.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![Passengers waiting outside in the snow for a train](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0034-100x80.jpg)
![A closeup shot of a train parked, covered in snow.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0076.jpg)
A 2011 snowstorm brought with it 60 mph-plus winds that left trains covered in snow and ice at 4 a.m. at Metra’s Elgin, Ill., yard.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A closeup shot of a train parked, covered in snow.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0076-100x80.jpg)
![A worker filling a snowy and icy train with fuel](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0138.jpg)
A worker for the Metra Mechanical Department braves strong winds at 4 a.m. to refuel trains to be sent out for the morning rush in the aftermath of a powerful snowstorm in 2011.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A worker filling a snowy and icy train with fuel](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0138-100x80.jpg)
![A worker talking on the phone inside a train station](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0147.jpg)
An agent stands in front of a window that has been covered by four feet of drifting snow at Metra’s Elgin, Ill., station in 2011. She was on standby throughout the night of the storm.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A worker talking on the phone inside a train station](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc_0147-100x80.jpg)
![A train plowing through snow](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc-00045.jpg)
A Chicago & North Western F-unit plows through 21 inches of snow in downtown Wheaton, Ill., in January of 1979. It was the biggest snowfall the town had seen since 1967, totaling more than 3 feet by the time the storm blew over.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A train plowing through snow](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dsc-00045-100x80.jpg)
![A worker cleaning snow off a train](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ice-at-davis-jct-ill.jpg)
This Iowa, Chicago & Eastern train has stopped at Davis Junction, Ill., to give its crew a chance to clear the platforms of snow that has piled up as winds over 30 mph have swirled around it for hours. This winter storm was one of many in 2008 that dumped snow and caused the Mississippi River to flood its banks repeatedly during the following summer.
Mark Llanuza
Mark Llanuza
![A worker cleaning snow off a train](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ice-at-davis-jct-ill-100x80.jpg)