(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, February 7, 2014)
CHICAGO — Up the decrepit stairs of a tower built in 1907 sits the poster child for a large chunk of what troubles Metra, the suburban rail service that has given thousands of passengers angst in recent weeks. Here, near Grand and Western, lies a mammoth rail-switching machine that dates back to the 1930s. Its 31 red and blue levers must be operated by hand. Some of its parts are so scarce they barely exist.
Full story: Chicago Sun-Times