A Thursday afternoon commute on the North Shore turned into a full-on scramble when a Metra Union Pacific North (UP-North) train hit a semi-truck near Green Bay Road and Linden in Wilmette, shutting down service in both directions and stranding riders hunting for backup options. The collision involved Train #337, which Metra listed as stopped near Wilmette and had scheduled to reach Kenosha at about 3:45 p.m. Officials said there were no deaths reported, but investigators and railroad crews warned that service would stay suspended while they checked for damage and cleared the crossing.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, Evanston police said the crash happened at roughly 2:45 p.m., and that all UP-North service would be shut down while police and railroad crews worked the scene. Metra told riders that Train #337 was stopped near Wilmette and urged passengers to look for alternate ways home. As of the initial report, the agency was not ready to say when trains would start rolling again.
That stalled run hits right in the late afternoon northbound window. Per the UP-N timetable, Train #337 had been due in Kenosha at 3:45 p.m., which means several later northbound trips and equipment rotations could get thrown off while the crossing stays blocked. The ripple effect could stretch through the evening commute, so riders are urged to check the timetable and official alerts before heading for the platform.
Why One Crash Can Wreck the Whole Line
The UP-N line has single-track stretches and shares space with freight traffic, so a blocked crossing or disabled train can quickly turn into a systemwide headache. Metra has already dealt with multiple service disruptions this year from collisions and system problems, and past vehicle strikes have triggered long suspensions along with plenty of legal fallout. Major delays after earlier truck collisions have been documented, along with the commuter chaos that followed.
How Stranded Riders Can Get Home
For anyone suddenly stuck, there are a few backup plays. Riders can hop the CTA Purple Line at Linden or grab Pace buses that run along Green Bay Road, with the CTA Linden station posting current arrivals and local connections. For station-specific details and parking information, check Metra's Wilmette station page along with the CTA Linden station listing. Metra has been urging customers to line up alternate transportation while crews work the scene and says it will push updates through its alert feeds.
Metra and the Evanston Police Department remained on scene investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports did not list any fatalities or spell out the extent of injuries. FOX 32 Chicago reported that officials warned the suspension would be “extensive” and said more information would be released as it becomes available. We will continue to monitor Metra and local authorities for word on clearance times and travel updates.
