Freight Train Derailment Halts Metra Service in Chicago Ridge

A freight train derailment occurred early on February 11, 2026, near Ridgeland and Central Avenues in Chicago Ridge, Illinois, blocking tracks and halting all Metra SouthWest Service trains to and from Chicago Union Station through mid-afternoon, canceling inbound trains 800, 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 816 and outbound 801, 803, 805, 807, 809. No injuries or hazardous materials were involved, but the incident led to road closures on Central Avenue between 103rd and 111th Streets and Ridgeland Avenue nearby, prompting commuters to seek alternate routes like Rock Island or Heritage Corridor lines. Crews from CSX and emergency responders worked to clear the site, with Chicago Ridge Mayor John "Jack" Lind noting the challenges due to the area's surrounding tracks.