CHICAGO RAIL: Between the CTA and Metra, Chicago's public transportation rail lines are second only to NYC. Chicago is also still a major freight rail hub, arguably the center of US freight rail. However when compared to her rail past, and the rail growth in major European cities Chicago is, at best, trailing. She does, however have great potential: given the amount of under-utilized lines and still existing abandoned right-of-ways Chicago could contend with her European counter parts. There is hope.