At Roselle this morning, I just missed a 20 minute late 2214. 2216 then came through with its normal ten cars operating on Track 2 west of Roselle West (from reports, only one track is open through Spaulding which I assume is Track 2). Then things got ugly. 2203 came through outbound and had to wait at Roselle West. Then came the deadhead with the equipment for 2220 pulling up behind 2203. And there things sat. Eventually something came east on Track 1, crossed over, and went through Roselle without stopping. I assume this was 2218 but it had eight cars rather than its normal four cars. And why was it coming east on Track 1? 2218 should have been the last out of Elgin before they shut down Spaulding for more work (OTOH, I'm pretty sure there was at least one extra train out there this morning as mentioned above).
So with whatever that was through, 2203 headed west, the equipment for 2220 did its turn, and we were finally off arriving about 40 late.
Now I know Metra was struggling to keep service going but here is where it seemed to be "we have our plan and are sticking to it". With Roselle West plugged, why not turn 2220's equipment in the station and head back on Track 1. 2205, the next westbound, was so late that we had plenty of time to make it back to B-17 (Bensenville), the next interlocked crossover (although there is hand-throw at Itasca as well). We could have saved 20 minutes right there. The conductor even told me they asked about doing that and were turned down.
Larry
Reno, NV (yes, I've moved)
ex-N&W Sandusky, Ohio