Metra is getting Battery FLIRT Trains!!

Somewhere in a quiet, southern Chicago neighborhood, lies an unusual railroad track. Running in between parks and houses, the Metra Rock Island Beverly Branch sees relatively frequent suburban service. Trains run from Blue Island up to LaSalle Street Station in downtown Chicago. The most interesting feature of this line, which opened in stages between 1870 and 1899, is the fact that every single station is located exactly 4 blocks apart. Though currently served by regular diesel Metra trains, in the future, Metra will run their dedicated battery-electric trains built by Stadler on this unique branch.

Trains Are Awesome!

Buy Trains Are Awesome Merch: https://my-store-f0aafe.creator-sprin...
Support us on Patreon:   / trainsareawesome  
Our Instagram:   / tra_channel  
Email us: trainsareawesomechannel@gmail.com
My second channel: https://youtube.com/@Thom_Extra?si=x-...

Metra Press Release: https://metra.com/newsroom/metra-buyi...
Learn More about the Beverly Branch: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43517540...

Date of filming: November 20, 2023
Camera: iPhone 12

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:04 Tour of LaSalle Street Station
2:01 Rock Island District: Basic Info
2:52 Gallery Cars
3:38 Departure
4:22 History of the Rock Island
5:16 History of the Beverly Branch
8:26 103rd St Station
10:24 Walking to 107th St Station
13:17 Walking to 111th St Station
13:42 Walking to 115th St Station
14:11 Isn't it strange?
15:33 Introducing the FLIRT
17:00 Advantages of the FLIRT
18:03 Addressing some concerns
20:02 Taking the bus to Blue Island
20:41 Blue Island Vermont St Station