The forthcoming BNSF schedule revision to account for PTC implementation and reducing overcrowding on busy trains prompted me to dust off this old thread. When comparing the old and new schedules vs what has been discussed before, the ideas floated here are basically spot on, along with some new twists. Theoretically speaking, new trains aren't really being added, instead, existing trains are being modified. While one train is being split, there are actually six trains total that are affected one way or another. Not accounting for possible changes in turns, deadhead moves, and tying up at the end of a run.
The current 1249 expresses out to Berwyn, then makes intermediate stops to Fairview, where it becomes EB deadhead 1282, then becomes WB 1283, a Naperville express. The revised 1249 will add stops at Western Ave and Cicero, stops that were made by 1247. The revised 1247 will make a stop at Halsted, then it will likely have to go center track as it will pass 1249 somewhere around LaGrange. 1247 retains the Fairview Ave stop, so it would have to cross over to main 1 at Highlands.
The current 1251 over the years has become one of the most crowded afternoon rush hour trains. This is a 10 car train in which there are often many standees. The surprising part is its earlier counterpart, 1243 has a reputation of being a very crowded train and has one extra car. An extra express train is often put ahead of 1243 in advance of major holidays. 1243 is also cut in Aurora after completing its run and runs several evening round trips. The revised 1251 essentially becomes a Naperville express.
1253, currently a local will become a Downers Grove express that terminates in Lisle. As doepack said in one of the more recent threads, this train could become an EB deadhead (1286?) from Lisle to CUS. It could very well have to, because the next train, 1255 has a very interesting revision that I didn't see the first time.
1255 is currently an express to LaGrange after making a stop at Halsted St. It makes all stops from LaGrange to Fairview, flips as an EB deadhead and will become WB 1373. The revised 1255 is essentially picking up the void to an extent left by 1253 by adding stops at Berwyn and Riverside. After making a stop at Fairview, it will express to Aurora, arriving at 6:03 PM. My guess is the revised 1253 will ultimately become the revised 1373, but will stop at DG, Lisle, and Route 59.
1267, a Naperville/59 express in its current form even at 11 cars is a severely overcrowded train. I have rode that run in the past on multiple occasions and there were times there were no available seats even in the front cars closest to the locomotive. The idea of splitting up Naperville and Route 59 stops and putting them on separate runs could make for a more even distribution of passengers. The new Lisle/Naperville/Aurora express trains likely will run center track to Fairview and make a crossover to one of the two outer tracks for the local run. I have a feeling there might also be more "wrong main" running on some of these later far zone express trains. 1267 and 1279 routinely go main 3 when they come off the center track. Occasionally, 1269 and 1283 will go main 3 as well (1269 is dependent on the running of EB 1288 and the current WB 1261 (the revised 1261 and 1263 will flip spots).
All told, these are pretty significant changes to some afternoon rush trains. That "think tank" from many years ago ultimately became reality.