Chicago

• this video on YouTube;


• this thread from 2003 on a forum;


• and even a question* apparently from January 1993! (see quote below)

Question
On my way into work last Wednesday as my Lake Street CTA train approached downtown, I couldn't help but notice that Metra tracks on the ground down below appeared to be aflame. There were small fires in a number of spots, but no one seemed to be alarmed and trains were traveling over the hot spots as if nothing were wrong.

Was I hallucinating, or what?

Answer
That was no mirage.

It was snowing last Wednesday morning, and when there's precipitation along with cold, rail switches have a nasty habit of freezing. This can disrupt a railroad's operations in a major way.

At newer installations, Metra has electric heaters that are turned on when the weather gets bad, but there are still switches on the system where gas heaters-with visible flames-are used.

Officials say the gas models operate well as long as engineers don't exceed 30 mph as they pass by. At greater speeds, trains can blow out the flame.

an item on Adelaide's Channel 7 stated that due to the big freeze they are
setting the railway tracks on fire to thaw them out. not sure where in Chicago?