“Chicago Fire” Has A Whole New Meaning!

Metra Rail turns on the gas to warm the switches!

Due to a record breaking cold snap, the sub freezing temperatures required the lighting of track fires to help keep the switches in operating order.

The fires seen here are actually natural gas that is supplied to the lines and can be lit for times like these. Since the rails are steel and the ties are concrete, the <tracks themselves are not actually burning!

In freezing temperatures, metal contracts and needs to be expanded in order for the switches to connect to shift the trains from one track to another without derailments.

Most of the heated switches are found in high density switching yards, or where multiple switches are located.

In freezing temperatures, metal contracts and needs to be expanded in order for the switches to connect as required to shift the trains from one track to another without derailments.

Let us know if you have seen tracks on “fire”! We would love to hear from you!