Template talk:Metra System

This is the talk page for the Routemap for Metra. Comments can go here to communicate effectively, in lieu of editing back and forth on the map.

Brief notes before you edit
Due to technical limitations, this diagram is obviously not to scale. Most physical features (other than junctions between Metra lines) are omitted.

Icons for nearby landmarks and attractions are not necessary. That information is better off on individual station pages.

While we do our best to keep accessibility icons up to date at all stations, this diagram does not account for elevator outages or construction projects that affect accessibility (unless the station closes for reconstruction.) That information can be found on Metra's website.

Please do not add a route for the long since cancelled STAR Line proposal. Avoid adding a route for the proposed SouthEast Service or other major changes unless that proposal is known to be moving ahead.

To remain in compliance with the Style Guide, use of (("resize")) and (("small")) is not recommended.

If a station is to permanently close, it should be removed from the map and necessary adjustments would be made, but only after said closure goes into effect.

Flag stops are not indicated on the diagram due to the fact that some stations are flag stops at all times, but others are flag stops for some trains and full stops for other trains. This information is better for individual station pages.

Only Hegewisch station on the South Shore Line is shown in this diagram because it is owned by Metra and subject to Metra's fares. For all stations in Indiana, visit South Shore Line.

Amtrak route information is not shown on this diagram. Refer to either the select station pages or the Amtrak service's page for that information.

This list may be updated. Thanks for reading. Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 08:00, 14 December 2022 (UTC)

Metra System edit - awaiting feedback
, I have made a change to the Metra diagram, but I wanted your feedback before I implemented it, so it is in the sandbox awaiting your approval. I have done this because you put a lot of effort into your previous edit, so I would understand if you would want the diagram to be left alone instead. If you approve, I will merge it with the main diagram. If not, I can discard it. The main reason I did this was because the square continued to overlap some text on my screen, and I figured it may look different on different devices or browsers. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you! Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 16:50, 18 December 2022 (UTC)
 * see TransLink Major Route Diagram for a different way of showing fare zones. Useddenim (talk) 17:07, 19 December 2022 (UTC)

That would really come in handy, but the change I was considering implementing was the first diagram on the sandbox page, where the square surrounding 6 MD-W stations was replaced with notes. Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 17:37, 19 December 2022 (UTC)

Ready to implement modified design
A few days ago, I went ahead and consolidated the route diagram template so that it is now six rows wide instead of seven. This was done by condensing the lines with branches into one row, which one can easily notice between zones B and D on the bottom half of the diagram, in addition to one smaller portion near the top. An edit like this should not be a big deal, but I wanted to be sure I got feedback rather than making an unannounced change.

I have done this in the sandbox and wanted to confirm that it is suitable for the full diagram before making the change, especially if there are concerns or objections. If anyone, especially, has any feedback, be sure to let me know. If no issues arise, I will replace the 7 row map with the 6 row map at about 21:00 UTC, January 15. To those that read this, thanks for your continued support! Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 04:37, 16 January 2023 (UTC)


 * In a word, "no". You've gone way to far into the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" zone. Double half/parallel icons are supposed to show lines that are adjacent or services that are together. They are used correctly in zones B/C with the MDW/MCS local-express service. However, in zone C you've squeezed SWS, RI & ME all together making them look like they run side-by-side, while at the same time showing the SSL as completely separate line whereas it actually runs on the same tracks as ME. I give you full marks for creativity, but it wasn't worth the effort to gum up the diagram merely to try and narrow it by a single column. Useddenim (talk) 15:08, 16 January 2023 (UTC)

Fair enough. I did want to have ME and SS run together but I got stalled by a lack of parallel tunnel portals in the right colors, and I honestly do not like making requests for new icons. As for the other lines, you read my mind and that is exactly why I wanted to be sure. Thank you for letting me know! Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 16:41, 16 January 2023 (UTC)
 * P.S. The bridge icon you were looking for was . Useddenim (talk) 16:45, 16 January 2023 (UTC)

I will add that I experimented with only narrowing ME and leaving RI alone, but it caused issues with SS and honestly the extra row is not a big deal. Have a great day and thanks for your honesty! Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 16:49, 16 January 2023 (UTC)

Modified RDT design
Here is a cleaner design for Metra's system to account for near-future projects: the new fare zone layout (February 2024), the Rockford Service (2027, tentatively), and the Fulton Market station (2031, tentatively ); the last two are hidden from view:  AlphaBeta135  talk 01:33, 23 December 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your contributions! I have my version of the layout in the sandbox and will put yours there too. Then I will try to get a final product worked out before February 1st. Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 01:50, 23 December 2023 (UTC)
 * No need to worry about modifying the diagram you posted here in the talk page. I saved it and put it in the sandbox as Diagram A, while the one I am working on is Diagram B. Hope this helps. Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 19:07, 23 December 2023 (UTC)
 * Since the new zone map is going to take effect in a couple of days, what should the new route diagram template map look like? There are two potential diagrams on the sandbox. Also, I was kind enough to add the following line,, on all zone 1 stations, terminal stations (plus ), and stations that will be adjacent to the new zone boundary (e.g.  and ).  AlphaBeta135  talk  22:57, 27 January 2024 (UTC)
 * I was going to temporarily implement Diagram B on the 1st until I could fix some bugs with Diagram A, then possibly switch over. The problem is I haven't had any luck fixing the main bug (Union Station's link invades the diagram space, and I haven't been able to fix it without removing the line links, which I like having there.) I just don't want to have a ">Mine's better >>Mine's better" exchange because they both show the same thing in similar ways. But unless I can find a way to fix the Union Station link before the 1st without obnoxiously stretching the left text space, I will likely start by implementing Diagram B. Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 23:10, 27 January 2024 (UTC)
 * In the first map, I fixed the spacing issue on Zone 1 stations by moving all Metra and Amtrak icons to individual footnotes. Also, I reduced the number of rows for Zone 4 (north/northwest suburbs) so that it doesn't take up extra space. The Rockford extension may or may not follow the soon-to-be established fare zones, so I ignored it (for now). AlphaBeta135  talk  15:09, 28 January 2024 (UTC)
 * As for the stations, I will be changing all of them in rapid succession on the night of the 31st. I already included the new zones in the table at the List of Metra stations. Thanks for your help! Hotdog with ketchup (talk) 23:14, 27 January 2024 (UTC)

How do I collapse
Does anyone know how to make this template collapsible? 148.77.67.18 (talk) 15:32, 6 February 2024 (UTC)