So that's how they clear the train Metra tracks...

We are well aware of Chicago's efforts to clean the streets after a large snowstorm, but do you know how they clear the train tracks? In the aftermath of Chicago's "big" storm, the BNSF train tracks were completely covered in many spots. Normally, this depth wouldn't pose a problem for the trains, but the packed snow can freeze the manual rail switches (small red/green signs in the below picture) Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] When sweeping the snow away doesn't work they bring in "Air Forced One" (no joke, its on the horizontal air pipe)...A, loud, windy, bad-ass, diesel powered blower to completely annihilate any snow it its way. They also have a jet powered version but havent seen it this year. Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] Image: Sorry [ Click here to register ] On its second pass, I was unfortunate enough to be on my balcony as the blower pivoted and blew up a cloud of snow that completely covered myself and my balcony in the finest layer of snow. The snow/mist was so fine, that the instant it landed on the metal balcony it re-froze to form a paper thin sheet of ice. Pretty sweet.

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