I Wonder What That’s For

Spotted this small little switch/box, on the side of the Metra train that arrives across from our platform each morning. There’s a predictable cadence to the trains that show up before ours (an express whooshes by, the South Shore stops, and this guy pulls up across the way).

I’m sure this thing is important, but in my head I was chuckling imagining that if I flicked the switch… the entire train would just shut down, lights and all. It’s the Metra Electric line after all.

Although now, in hindsight… I guess it was in the “off” position. Well there goes that theory. I wonder what this thing actually controls?

Related:
Early Christmas in Detroit, Part 2