8:07 A.M. Union Pacific West Line from Geneva to Chicago, Il.

Chug...chugga chugga choo choo!  We're off at last...

Metra train cars are 80ft long, double deck, coaches that can carry 156 people in each car.  Each car is seperated into two large sections, the rear section is show here.  The train reaches 70 MPH on its journey into the city.   Most engines pull 9 coaches, for a total capacity of 1404 passengers.  Believe it or not, the engine actually pushes the train backwards all the way into the city.  It seems odd until you realize that the design of the stub-end terminals downtown Chicago require this.  The train is controlled by a small cab area built into the top of the last car.  For more chicago train pictures, go to the Chicago trains page.