Metra Electric District and South Shore line.

[ToledoRailfan]

Does anyone know why the Metra Electric District and South Shore Line are electric railroads? Kind of unusual having that outside of the North East Corridor and it's general area.

[LARDLOGO]

The line was originally run by steam powered engines, they added the electric lines and trains to save money in 1919.

[ToledoRailfan]

The line was originally run by steam powered engines, they added the electric lines and trains to save money in 1919.

But why did it last to today? Other than the Metra Electric District and South Shore line all major electrified lines in the US outside of the northeast corridor area were converted to diesel lines or were simply abandoned and removed.

[ZachL]

They probably figured it'd be a waste of money to tear down the electrical grid if there was nothing wrong with it.

[freebrickproductions]

They probably figured it'd be a waste of money to tear down the electrical grid if there was nothing wrong with it.

Not to mention that they're passenger lines, which would make more sense for them to remain electrified than a freight line (especially a freight-only line).