The impending rail strike would affect at least four of Metra’s main lines: the BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines.

Crain’s Chicago Business | September 14, 2022 | Crain’s Staff

A day after warning riders that the impending rail workers’ strike would affect some of its lines, Metra on Wednesday morning began canceling some Thursday night service in anticipation of a service interruption. 

The cancelations come on the four lines that “are owned by and directly operated by freight railroads.” 

According to a statement from Metra put out Wednesday morning, the affected lines are the BNSF, Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West. Said the agency, “Both BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad, which own and operate the lines, have communicated that they will begin curtailing service after the evening rush hour on Thursday, Sept. 15 in preparation for the potential work stoppage.”

Here are the affected trains, per Metra:

The following BNSF trains will not operate Thursday night, Sept. 15:

• Inbound trains 1296, 1298, 1300 and 1302 are canceled (all depart Aurora after 8 p.m.)
• Outbound trains 1289, 1291 1293 and 1295 are canceled (all depart Chicago after 9:30 p.m.)

The following Union Pacific trains will not operate Thursday night, Sept 15:

Union Pacific North

• Inbound trains 372 and 374 are canceled (all depart Waukegan after 10 p.m.)
• Outbound trains 371, 373, 375 and 377 are canceled (all depart Chicago after 9:30 p.m.)

Union Pacific Northwest

• Inbound trains 666 and 668 are canceled (all depart after 9:30 p.m.)
• Outbound trains 661,663,665 and 601 are canceled (all depart Chicago after 9:30 p.m.)

Union Pacific West

• Inbound train 68 is canceled (departs Elburn after 9:15 p.m.)
• Outbound trains 69 and 71 are canceled (all depart Chicago after 9:30 p.m.)

Metra says that, in the event of the strike, service would continue as scheduled on the Metra Electric, Rock Island, SouthWest Service, Milwaukee District North, and Milwaukee District West lines. Discussions are ongoing about service on the Heritage Corridor and North Central Service, which are owned by other freight partners. 

Amtrak has also begun canceling service due to the potential disruption the strike would bring.