(The following story by Todd Shields appeared on the Pioneer Press website on September 10.)
CHICAGO — Aboard a typical Metra train, row upon row, work-weary people read newspapers and listen to iPods in the library-like atmosphere.
But there’s one car where every one knows your name.
This rolling tap room — filled with laughter, banter and the unmistakable, pungent aroma of alcohol — serves up beer or a rare gin and tonic.
But it all ended Friday (Aug. 29) when last call was served on the 5:25 Milwaukee District North Line to Fox Lake.
Patrick Kerney, of Wilmette, was glum Friday because Metra officially stopped selling drinks on commuter trains.
“You meet friends here. I have a whole group of them right here,” said Kerney, who works for a food and drink flavor company in Chicago.
His friend Rob “The Fonz” Winkler popped a can of Bud Light and backed up his barroom buddy.
Called bar cars, booze cars, taverns on wheels, the small, swaying stand-up bistros were only available on three rail lines to and from Chicago’s union station — Rock Island District to Joliet, Milwaukee District West Line to Elgin and Kerney’s Milwaukee District North Line.
“This was a time to see friends and especially unwind,” said Winkler, of Libertyville.
Dave Giesen, a former railroad executive, said a bar car bartender had received a letter from Metra officials that stated discontinuing the service was due to insurance risks, a need for more passengers seats and the bars illegally block exits.
“If that’s their argument, then why does the Federal Railroad Administration allow dining cars on Amtrak trains to block exits?” asked Giesen.
Citing finances, Metra spokesman Tom Miller said, “(The bar services) haven’t been worth the revenue they produce. We are trying to maximize capacity on the trains and the removal of (the bars) will free up some seats.”
“There’s 10 of these cars over the 700 trains Metra operates,” he said.
On the 5:12 p.m. North Line, two padlocks kept an overhead door on the bar closed tight, prompting Rich Lipinski to bring his own cans of Old Style.
A rider since 1974, Lipinski, of Fox Lake, said his friends attended a Metra Board meeting to seek answers for the closings, and trustees said the bars were losing money.
Larry Barrett, of Grayslake, said he felt like Norm walking into “Cheers,” where everyone on the 5:25 knew his name.
“I’m kind of a big guy like Norm. The bars were a nice diversion after work. I’ll probably bring my own — like Rich here,” Barrett said, pointing to Lipinski and his Old Style.
“It’s rather depressing,” said David Umlauf, an executive search consultant and Deerfield resident.
“The bars had an interesting setting. People from all walks of life met here and enjoyed one another’s company. Even the snacks were occasionally fresh,” laughed Umlauf, sipping coffee.
Eddie Brooks, a graphic artist, said he obtained several job leads while riding the bar car.
“I saw the cars as a place to network and where the powerful and ordinary met to share a beer,” said Brooks, of Ingleside.
Passenger can still carry alcohol on board, but Metra bans drinking on trains on holidays, such as Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day.