The Way to Really Fly for 30 Years

     Chicago's history with the railroads stretches well back into the 19th Century(In fact, there are two stations in the suburbs today that were standing when President Lincoln's funeral train sped by them en route to Springfield).  However, the kind of commuter rail that you and I know about is of a much newer vintage.  As in 30 years old.  As in it just had it's 30th birthday.  Yup, Metra officially started off in June of 1984.  The system has its roots in the mid-century breakup of the nation's railways.  As the Interstate Highway System rolled out and travel became quicker and more efficient, the great railroad days of ages past quickly drew to a close.

     In 1974 Illinois saw this need coming, and formed the Regional Transportation Authority to oversee the transit operations of the suburban region.  Initially, the RTA merely served as a go-between, still leasing the lines from the Railroads.   But then when the Rock Island and the Milwaukee Road companies both went bankrupt, things changed.  The RTA created a new arm of the organization to own and operate some of the commuter train lines.  For a few years they did just that.  Then in 1983, directive came from the state government to reorganize the new arm of the RTA into something called the Commuter Rail Service Board.  After some planning, this new entity officially went live on June 8, 1984, and officially became known as Metra in July of 1985.  To wrap things up, I'll leave you with a throwback Metra commercial.  Happy commuting!