The Rock Island District (RI) is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red". This refers to the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad's Rocket series of passenger trains.
The trackage is owned by Metra, bought from the bankrupt Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad for $35 million in December 1982. The Regional Transportation Authority had signed a contract with the Rock Island in 1976 to fund service, and in 1980 the Chicago and North Western Railway began operating the Rock Island District. In spring 1981 the C&NW stepped away, and the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (Metra) was formed to take over operations.
The Rock Island District consists of a main line over the Rock Island's former main line to Joliet. The slightly longer Suburban Line loops to the west between Gresham and Blue Island, carrying most trains; the two stations on that part of the main line are served only during rush hours.
The Suburban Line was built in 1870 as a steam dummy line, splitting from the main line just north of 89th Street, running west along 89th and turning south to merge with the current line at the S-curve just south of 89th. The crossing of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway midway along 89th was known as Dummy Crossing. In the early 1890s the line was extended north in conjunction with the expansion of the Chicago Terminal Transfer Railroad, and the portion on 89th was removed.
A new station at 35th Street and Federal Street opened on April, 3 2011 to serve U.S. Cellular Field and the Illinois Institute of Technology. It was named 35th Street/'Lou' Jones/Bronzeville Station after Lovana Jones who was an Illinois State Representative in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
Read more about Rock Island District: Stations
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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