North Central Service
Encyclopedia
The North Central Service (NCS) is a commuter rail line provided and operated by Metra
in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the North Central Service line are printed in light "Soo Purple".
Its southern terminus is Union Station
in downtown Chicago. The line traverses Chicago's western neighborhoods and its northwestern and far northern suburbs to Antioch, Illinois
. Between Western Avenue
and River Grove
stations, the North Central Service shares the right of way with Metra's Milwaukee District/West Line
, but does not stop at any of the other stations used by the MD-W. About a mile west of the River Grove station this route turns northward at a junction known as tower B-12. The remainder of the route operates on tracks owned and dispatched by the Canadian National Railway
("CN"). A single daily inbound train, #120, uses a combination of the North Central Service's trackage and the Milwaukee District North line's trackage by using a crossing with that line in Grayslake.
The CN assumed ownership of this route on September 7, 2001 when the CN absorbed the Wisconsin Central Railroad ("WC"). The WC operated this route after it was purchased from the Soo Line Railroad
in April 1987. Metra provides its own crews for this service and operates under a trackage rights agreement with the CN.
Service began August 19, 1996. , this is the only new line in the Metra system since its formation. Prior to the start of NCS, the last passenger service on this route ended in 1965 when the Soo Line discontinued the overnight Chicago-Duluth Laker.
, Schiller Park
, Rosemont
, and Grayslake
. Another station, at Grand and Cicero Avenues in Chicago (between the Western Avenue and River Grove stops), was scheduled to be completed by the end of . Service doubled from 10 to 20 trains per day with this change in the timetable.
On September 11, 2006, service expanded from 20 to 22 trains when Metra split one rush-hour local train in each direction into two express trains.
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the North Central Service line are printed in light "Soo Purple".
Its southern terminus is Union Station
Union Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
in downtown Chicago. The line traverses Chicago's western neighborhoods and its northwestern and far northern suburbs to Antioch, Illinois
Antioch, Illinois
Antioch is a village in the Antioch Township of Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,430 at the 2010 census. Antioch is part of the Chicago metropolitan area.- Prior to incorporation :...
. Between Western Avenue
Western Avenue (Metra Milwaukee District/North Line)
Western Avenue is the name of a railroad station owned by Metra, located in East Garfield Park community area of Chicago, Illinois near Western Avenue. The station is away from Union Station, the inbound terminus of the line...
and River Grove
River Grove (Metra)
River Grove is a station on Metra's North Central Service and Milwaukee District/West Line in River Grove, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the southern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, River Grove is in zone C....
stations, the North Central Service shares the right of way with Metra's Milwaukee District/West Line
Milwaukee District/West Line
The Milwaukee District/West is a commuter rail line provided and operated by Metra in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
, but does not stop at any of the other stations used by the MD-W. About a mile west of the River Grove station this route turns northward at a junction known as tower B-12. The remainder of the route operates on tracks owned and dispatched by the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
("CN"). A single daily inbound train, #120, uses a combination of the North Central Service's trackage and the Milwaukee District North line's trackage by using a crossing with that line in Grayslake.
The CN assumed ownership of this route on September 7, 2001 when the CN absorbed the Wisconsin Central Railroad ("WC"). The WC operated this route after it was purchased from the Soo Line Railroad
Soo Line Railroad
The Soo Line Railroad is the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway , controlled through the Soo Line Corporation, and one of seven U.S. Class I railroads. Although it is named for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste...
in April 1987. Metra provides its own crews for this service and operates under a trackage rights agreement with the CN.
Service began August 19, 1996. , this is the only new line in the Metra system since its formation. Prior to the start of NCS, the last passenger service on this route ended in 1965 when the Soo Line discontinued the overnight Chicago-Duluth Laker.
Recent history
On January 30, 2006, four new stations on the North Central Service opened: Franklin ParkBelmont Avenue (Metra)
Belmont Avenue is a station on Metra's North Central Service in Franklin Park, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the southern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Belmont Avenue is in zone C...
, Schiller Park
Schiller Park (Metra)
Schiller Park is a station on Metra's North Central Service in Schiller Park, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the southern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Schiller Park is in zone C. Schiller Park was opened on January 30, 2006, along with three other new...
, Rosemont
Rosemont (Metra)
Rosemont is a station on Metra's North Central Service in Rosemont, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the southern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Rosemont is in zone D. Rosemont was opened on January 30, 2006 along with three other new stations on the...
, and Grayslake
Washington Street (Metra)
Washington Street is a station on Metra's North Central Service in Grayslake, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the southern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Washington Street is in zone I. Washington Street was opened on January 30, 2006, along with three...
. Another station, at Grand and Cicero Avenues in Chicago (between the Western Avenue and River Grove stops), was scheduled to be completed by the end of . Service doubled from 10 to 20 trains per day with this change in the timetable.
On September 11, 2006, service expanded from 20 to 22 trains when Metra split one rush-hour local train in each direction into two express trains.
External links
- Metra North Central Service schedule