CTA Works To Keep Switches From Freezing Up

CHICAGO (WBBM) - CTA employees worked through the night to try to prevent problems from building as the mercury plummets on its 'L' lines.

Some of the work involves something as simple as keeping the doors opening on its oldest, 40-year-old 'L' cars.  But much of it deals with the switches that keep trains running through junctions and to their destinations. 

CTA President Ron Huberman said extra workers have been assigned to switch towers and on the ground at key switches around the clock  -- even where the lines are not operating.

"We did it last night, with the extreme cold, and we do it every time we have weather such as this," he said. 

Huberman said the employees assigned to the switch towers are moving the switches at regular intervals even when trains are not scheduled, to make sure they continue to function as intended.  If a switch does not lock into position properly, the signals approaching the switch are designed to prevent trains from passing them. 

If that occurs, workers on the ground must check the switch manually to determine if it is frozen, if snow or ice is blocking the switch or if other problems have occurred. 

All of the important switches the trains use to change tracks have heaters designed to keep them from freezing in place.  But Huberman said they are not always effective when it is so cold outside.