Freight Train Derailment Causing North Central Metra Line Delays

VERNON HILLS, IL – A freight train derailment near Mundelein is expected to tie up traffic on Metra's north central line Wednesday evening. A Canadian National freight train's wheel slipped off the track and has lead to Metra service being terminated at Vernon Hills, according to media reports and Metra officials.

Canadian National representatives said they hoped to have everything cleaned up before Wednesday evening's rush hour, according to ABC 7.

The track where the derailment occurred is owned by Canadian National. Canadian National rents track time to Metra and handles shared use of the track, according to the Mundelein Review.

Just before 4 p.m., trains were stopping at the Vernon Hills station, Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile told the newspaper.

“Anyone north of Vernon Hills needs to watch our alerts for updates because they may need to arrange alternate means of transportation,” Reile said. “It’s not our tracks or trains, so we can’t promise anything.”

More via the Mundelein Review and Metra's website