Power line removed from tracks near Des Plaines; Metra service resumes with delays

Metra service along several lines serving the north, northwest and western suburbs was hindered Friday morning by gusty winds, strong rain and mechanical problems.

The Chicago area is expected to see strong winds and rainfall throughout the morning and late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

A downed power line that had halted all trains on the Union Pacific / Northwest Line near northwest suburban Des Plaines Friday morning has been removed from the tracks.

Commuters at the Ogilvie Transportion Center were told service had resumed but trains on that line would be delayed.

A Metra service alert posted at 8:31 a.m. estimated that inbound and outbound trains could be from 30 to 160 minutes behind schedule.

Metra posted an alert at 5:42 a.m. about the power line issue near the Cumberland station in Des Plaines. The power line had been removed by 8:30 a.m.

Friday brought rain throughout the early morning that was expected to last through the late afternoon, according to National Weather Service forecasts. High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 50s with northwest winds between 15 and 25 mph in the morning that will increase to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Several other Metra lines also saw disrupted service Friday as gusty winds, strong rain and mechanical problems combine to cause problems for rail commters in the north, northwest and western suburbs.

Two trains along Metra’s Union Pacific / North Line did not operate because of “ongoing weather related track obstruction,” according to Metra. And two other trains serving the west and northwest suburbs were put on abbreviated runs because of mechanical problems.