Continue from AmtrakFan's post from the Metra discussion board.
According to a BNSF Chicago Division timetable from a few years back, there is a freight curfew in effect from 5:45-8am and from 4:30-6pm. Generally, eastbound freights will be held in Aurora prior to joining the Chicago Subdivision or they will be held west of the Lisle interlocking.
But it seems that a freight curfew during the afternoon suburban rush no longer exists. Twice in the past two weeks, an eastbound intermodal is stopped on MT2 through Cicero "A" and "B" plants. This forces all suburban trains to run on MT1 and MT3 during the afternoon rush. Outbound suburban express trains will use MT1 to LaVergne or Berwyn, then cross over to MT2. Sometimes, an eastbound freight will come up MT1 after 5p and as a result, eastbound suburban trains have to use MT2 to get around, therefore slowing down outbound traffic. Westbound suburban trains after 5:30p run 10 minutes late because equipment from earlier westbound runs that return to Chicago are delayed.
According to a BNSF Chicago Division timetable from a few years back, there is a freight curfew in effect from 5:45-8am and from 4:30-6pm. Generally, eastbound freights will be held in Aurora prior to joining the Chicago Subdivision or they will be held west of the Lisle interlocking.
But it seems that a freight curfew during the afternoon suburban rush no longer exists. Twice in the past two weeks, an eastbound intermodal is stopped on MT2 through Cicero "A" and "B" plants. This forces all suburban trains to run on MT1 and MT3 during the afternoon rush. Outbound suburban express trains will use MT1 to LaVergne or Berwyn, then cross over to MT2. Sometimes, an eastbound freight will come up MT1 after 5p and as a result, eastbound suburban trains have to use MT2 to get around, therefore slowing down outbound traffic. Westbound suburban trains after 5:30p run 10 minutes late because equipment from earlier westbound runs that return to Chicago are delayed.