In addition to the new schedules going into effect for the three new starts, other minor schedule changes for UP-NW, UP-N, and MD-W will also be going into effect on January 23. A recap of the changes:
UP-NW/UP-N: Several inbound (particularly on UP-NW) and outbound rush hour trains have had their schedules adjusted +/- a few minutes, to better reflect actual running times based on passenger loading patterns. The only other notable change for each involves an additional stop at Fox River Grove for UP-NW train 607, and a stop was added at Rogers Park to UP-N train 343, which now leaves OTC two minutes earlier at 1743.
MD-W: Tweakage is a little heavier here, with many inbound rush hour trains departing 2 to 3 minutes earlier, to better coordinate with the NCS expanded service. Other notable changes included train 2230, which now departs Big Timber 6 minutes later at 0936, and train 2245, departing CUS 4 minutes later at 1804. Curiously, 2219 was not moved back 10 minutes to a 1330 departure, even though NCS's early afternoon departure will now depart CUS at 1300, don't know why that wasn't changed back to keep all midday departures on the :30.
A note for timetable collectors: This will likely be the final MD-W schedule to include stations at Hermosa and Cragin, which are doomed to history once the new Cicero station opens later this year.
No changes were made to weekend service.
UP-NW/UP-N: Several inbound (particularly on UP-NW) and outbound rush hour trains have had their schedules adjusted +/- a few minutes, to better reflect actual running times based on passenger loading patterns. The only other notable change for each involves an additional stop at Fox River Grove for UP-NW train 607, and a stop was added at Rogers Park to UP-N train 343, which now leaves OTC two minutes earlier at 1743.
MD-W: Tweakage is a little heavier here, with many inbound rush hour trains departing 2 to 3 minutes earlier, to better coordinate with the NCS expanded service. Other notable changes included train 2230, which now departs Big Timber 6 minutes later at 0936, and train 2245, departing CUS 4 minutes later at 1804. Curiously, 2219 was not moved back 10 minutes to a 1330 departure, even though NCS's early afternoon departure will now depart CUS at 1300, don't know why that wasn't changed back to keep all midday departures on the :30.
A note for timetable collectors: This will likely be the final MD-W schedule to include stations at Hermosa and Cragin, which are doomed to history once the new Cicero station opens later this year.
No changes were made to weekend service.
--Dorian--
Hmm, I can't say I know exactly what's going on with track work down there. I've been out of the area for a little while so I may be out of date, but I think there is some track work being done at Cragin Junction, possibly including, as EricL mentioned, the addition of a fourth track to help accommodate freight trains entering and leaving the Belt Railway.