Attendees of the 2024 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference will have the unique opportunity to explore Metra’s in-house railcar and locomotive rehab programs on Nov. 6. Guests will learn about Metra’s forward-thinking efforts to improve efficiency and service while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for its employees. This tour is free for attendees of the conference, but spots are limited. Those interested in joining the tour should register for Women in Rail 2024 while spots are still available.
As part of the 2-1/2-hour tour, guests will visit Metra’s modern classroom space and see the workshop and welding training areas for the agency’s Mechanical Department apprentice programs. The tour will also feature the facility’s loading dock, storage area and railcar wheel/truck rebuild area.
Additionally, the tour will include a stop at the 47th Street Diesel Shop, which maintains locomotives used on the Rock Island Line, and is the facility where Metra’s MP36 locomotive rehabilitation program is housed. As part of a renovation and expansion project that began in 2018, the loading dock area was reconfigured to add an enclosed crane and the materials storage area was replaced with a new 17,500-square-foot facility. The project also included improvements to the rail yard’s parking, drainage and utilities.
The 47th/49th Street facility predates Metra. It was opened in 1947 by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and had not undergone significant improvement since. The $32.5 million project to renovate and expand its 47th/49th Street facilities was completed in 2020, allowing Metra to develop an in-house program for cost-effective and timely rebuilds and maintenance.
Spots are still available for this tour, which requires advance registration. To join, register for the Women in Rail conference today.
Supporting Organizations
Industry support for the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference is strong, including sponsorship and promotional partnerships with: TrinityRail (platinum), RailWorks (cocktail reception), CSX (gold), AITX (case study); CN (luncheon); R. J. Corman (registration), Amsted Digital Solutions (bronze), Genesee & Wyoming (bronze), Norfolk Southern (bronze), Union Pacific (morning coffee break), Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters, Inc. (morning coffee break), The National Association of Railway Business Women, and The League of Railway Women.
Learn More
- View the full program and register for Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2024.
- To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224. View the sponsorship kit >>
Don’t Forget!
Through Oct. 1, Railway Age is accepting nominations for its 2024 Women in Rail Awards program, which will honor 20 trailblazers for their achievements in our November issue. These outstanding railroaders will be selected based on their leadership, vision, innovation and accomplishments. This award celebrates female leaders in rail and pioneers with a track record of breaking down barriers and helping to create industry opportunities for women. Entries will be judged by KellyAnne Gallagher, CEO of the Commuter Rail Coalition, and Barbara Wilson, Senior Advisor at Railroad Financial Corporation—both of whom will participate as session speakers and moderators at the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference. Submit your nomination now >>
