Feb. 10--Metra says delays up to 30 minutes will continue through Thursday on the Union Pacific West line because of an electrical fire at a crossing in Melrose Park.
The fire broke out about 6 a.m. Tuesday in equipment and caused officials to stop trains and restrict service to a single track. Delays as long as 65 minutes were reported on inbound trains, and one outbound train was delayed as much as 80 minutes, officials said Tuesday.
Wednesday morning, Metra officials reported the fire had caused "extensive" damage to a facility that controls all the switches and signals in the area of 25th Avenue between the Melrose Park and Berkeley stations.
Officials said thousands of wires will need to be replaced, and the facility would have to be reconstructed and undergo safety testing, according to Metra's website.
Officials said inbound and outbound trains are scheduled to depart on time, but trains may experience up to 30 minute delays while passing near 25th Avenue.
