Railfanning the L in Chicago

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the Illinois Department of Transportation can now start spending $126 million for Chicago’s Englewood Flyover project that was awarded last year.

CSX Transportation (CSXT), the rail unit of CSX Corporation, has begun horn-free operations in a “quiet zone” on a four-mile stretch of its tracks extending through Blue Island, Evergreen Park and Chicago.

About 40 percent of Metra’s current fleet of 840 cars are rated in marginal or poor condition, officials say, adding that the new cars will offer increased reliability and reducing operating costs.