Metra says so long to its rail saloons
Bar cars are home away from home for many commuters, but space is needed for other passengers
By Richard Wronski | Chicago Tribune reporter
August 27, 2008
Every weekday at 5:17 p.m., the bar car on Metra's Milwaukee District West line becomes the place where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.
With beer and wine cups in hand, a cast of characters that seems straight out of "Cheers" tries to make the daily commute home as merry as the sitcom.
"It's happy hour on the rails," said Kevin McHone, 40, an information technology engineer from Gilberts and a bar car regular.
But just as every TV show eventually ends its run, this Friday will be last call aboard what Metra officially calls its "refreshment cars."
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