Metra train derailment in Chicago prompts hours-long shutdown – NBC Chicago

Two Metra train lines were shut down for nearly two hours Wednesday evening after a train leaving Chicago’s Union Station derailed, causing extensive delays.

The Milwaukee District West train was leaving Union at Canal Street when the front wheels of the train derailed, Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis said.

Trains on the Milwaukee District North line and the North Central Service line were stopped for nearly 2 hours.

Metra did not state when the derailment occurred, however, the shutdown impacted trains scheduled to leave as early as 6 p.m.

As of 7:45 p.m., the Milwaukee District North line and the North Central line were still shut down.

Alerts on the Metra website state “extensive delays” are expected on both lines.

Metra was working to restore service, and the spokesperson told NBC Chicago that trains should be running soon around 7:45 p.m.

The train that derailed was moving “relatively slowly and stayed upright,” he said.

Video on social media shows dozens of Metra commuters exiting the train after the derailment.