Commuter Service Returns to Bedford Valley

It's always nice to see train services being expanded and extended, and even better when they happen in our home town. Many years after commuter rail service was withdrawn, and replaced briefly by express bus service, Metra announced the newest route to it's web of Chicago services. Dubbed "West Central Service", Bedford Valley will see two train an hour peak, one an hour off peak and Saturdays, but no Sunday service as of now.


Service was originally provided by the Pennsylvania Railroad, then Penn Central, but limited ridership (due to the deplorable state of the trains perhaps?) lead to the transit commission's endorsement of a request for termination at the start-up of Conrail. Independent service provider MARTA (Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Association) ran trains, and then replacement service via express buses for a two years, but folded up after rumors of financial  misconduct were reported by the Tribune.


Here, Metra's newest equipment makes a trial run through Bedford Junction the day after Christmas:

Hopefully we get to keep the depot, but time will tell whether it gives way to standard-issue bland...