Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
It's back.
After a six year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic and a dispute between Metra and Union Pacific revolving around crews, 2025 saw the return of a beloved Northwestern Suburb event known as Operation North Pole! I was really happy when I found out earlier this season that Metra was bringing the event back as it's a genuinely nice event giving families of children in need a special train ride before the Christmas season, which is just a really nice thing to see. This year Metra 102 was the engine chosen for the job and it and six coaches were wrapped in a special yellow wrap for the event, in this video you'll see them do a little runby before the event starts followed by a cavalcade of police cars and firetrucks escorting a fleet of school buses filled with the families who were going to ride the train, as well as seeing the train pull into Des Plaines and them expressing through Mount Prospect as well as a few regular Metra trains sprinkled in between. Really great to see this event come back after a long hiatus. Enjoy!
Taken on 12-20-25
It's back.
After a six year hiatus following the Covid-19 pandemic and a dispute between Metra and Union Pacific revolving around crews, 2025 saw the return of a beloved Northwestern Suburb event known as Operation North Pole! I was really happy when I found out earlier this season that Metra was bringing the event back as it's a genuinely nice event giving families of children in need a special train ride before the Christmas season, which is just a really nice thing to see. This year Metra 102 was the engine chosen for the job and it and six coaches were wrapped in a special yellow wrap for the event, in this video you'll see them do a little runby before the event starts followed by a cavalcade of police cars and firetrucks escorting a fleet of school buses filled with the families who were going to ride the train, as well as seeing the train pull into Des Plaines and them expressing through Mount Prospect as well as a few regular Metra trains sprinkled in between. Really great to see this event come back after a long hiatus. Enjoy!
Taken on 12-20-25
