A freight train stuck on the tracks at Third Street and stretching all the way to Western Avenue started to move out of the way at around 7:20 a.m. Monday—but not before delaying the commute for many who use the Geneva train depot.
Witnesses said the train stopped for at least an hour, forcing commuters on the south side of the tracks at the Geneva station to make a long walk to the north side via the underpass on Route 31.
A Metra employee said the commuter train schedule was not interrupted by the stalled freight. However, Metra's website says Train No. 36, scheduled to depart Elburn at 7:35 a.m. and arrive Chicago at 8:53 a.m., was delayed in its departure due to late arrival of equipment from earlier delays.
The morning commute was thrown out of whack for hundreds of Geneva Metra passengers, who had to find parking and take extra time to get to the train.
The stall also played havok with drivers, at the Western Avenue crossing as well as the Third Street crossing.
Geneva police reported via scanner at 6:30 a.m. that the freight train was forced to go into emergency braking, blocking both the Third Street crossing and the Western Avenue crossing.
Dan Simon contributed the original report.
