Chicago Trip Help

[SFbrkmn]

In August I am planning a two day visit to Chicago. I'll be staying @ HI Express downtown. One day will be spent @ Homewood, the other riding Metra routes throughout the day. Starting with Homewood, I'm seeking advice on how to do this. From Union Stn, I would need to go to the Metra Stn to get on the electric line to Homewood? Once at Homewood just where is the platform watching spot? Are there any restrictions on taking pics there from the platforms? Always wanted to spend a day there and after all these yrs I'm planning on getting it done. Later on I'll post questions on how to do the Metra thing. Sam

[CMStPnP]

My last IT project was in Shaumburg for a full year so I am pretty familar with Chicago.   I am 51 and I can walk from Union Station to Millenium Station (Metra Electric)....but that was in the Summer NOT the Winter.    So you might consider a cab.   Usually I stay at the Palmer House Hilton but I have almost unlimited discounts with them due to my travels so I get the room almost for free.  Sometimes it pays if your going to do a trip like this to flip over to the Hilton Honors Credit Card and rack up some discount points about 8-12 months before your trip.

Back on topic, traveling to Homewood is going to take you about 45 min travel one way.   No idea on the platform watching spot defer to others on that.   Be careful on Metra passes and ask before you purchase because some Metra passes are specific to just some lines vs system wide.    So I am not sure if they offer a Metra system pass (Chicago is still in the Dinosaur era when it comes to mass transit and toll collections).    If they do offer a system pass ask on the expiration and plan out money wise if the pass makes financial sense.

Here in Dallas, one regional day pass you can use on Dart Light Rail, TRE, Streetcars, DART buses, Fort Worth T Buses, etc.      We entered the 21st Century at the turn of the Century.....lol.    Likewise here in Dallas one toll tag applies everywhere and even for Airport parking, and if you don't have a tag it reads your license and mails you the bill.    We don't have these multiple large departments overstaffed with cronies like Chicago does.

[ndbprr]

When you go down the steps from the platform you should turn left under the other tracks and up the steps to street level. It is less than one block south. But if I was going in the afternoon I would just stay on the platform for Metra since the light would be at your back.

[CShaveRR]

Which days of the week you make your trip will make a critical difference in the fares you pay.  If you're taking your round-trip to Homewood on a weekday, it'll cost you six bucks each way.  Your trips to see Metra would best be performed on a weekend...a Metra weekend pass (good on all Metra routes, but not on the South Shore) will cost $8.00, and is good for both days, unlimited rides.

Metra fares (other than weekend passes) are based on five-mile "Zones"; you could pay as much as $10.75 for a one-way ticket.  If you're stuck with traveling on weekdays, at least buy a ten-ride ticket (which will cost you the price of nine one-way trips).  In other words, you could buy a ten-ride ticket for Zone E for $54.00, and it will get you as far as Homewood on the Electric, Downers Grove (or LaGrange) on BNSF, Glen Ellyn (or Elmhurst) on UP West, Bensenville on Milwaukee West, and places between 20 and 25 miles out on the other lines...not sure which hot spots would be good for you on those.

Your best bet is to consult http://www.metrarail.com for information on riding Metra, then http://dhke.com/CRJ/ for information on good train-watching places accessible via Metra.

Have fun, and come again when you can stay longer!

[gardendance]

CMStPnP

I am 51 and I can walk from Union Station to Millenium Station (Metra Electric)....but that was in the Summer NOT the Winter.    So you might consider a cab.

Did you miss SFbrkmn's 2nd word, August?

[Kevin C. Smith]

CMStPnP

My last IT project was in Shaumburg for a full year so I am pretty familar with Chicago.   I am 51 and I can walk from Union Station to Millenium Station (Metra Electric)....but that was in the Summer NOT the Winter.

It is walkable, easily enough-and often quite pleasantly. But if you'd rather not, the CTA's route #151 bus runs between the two.

[petitnj]

Also, take the Metra Electric from Millenium Station to The Historic Pullman District. It has a visitor's center and tours are available. It is at the 111th Street Station. If you want to watch the Amtrak Metra action, there are a number of spots along the south side of the yard. The 20th Century Rail Club used to have a meeting room overlooking the yard, but apparently they no longer maintain that space. Also visit the Museum of Science and Industry and take in the excellent Zephyr exhibit (it is hard to miss as it sits at the main entrance. All are accessible via bus.

[Chris30]

August in Chicago is a good month to visit. Usually, hot and humid. If I had to recommend one month to visit Chicago it would be September. Anything other than January or February - brutal!

A couple of FYI's... Lollapoloza is the first weekend of August and the air show is the third weekend(?). In the summer there's a lot going on downtown every weekend and the Metra trains can be very crowded on those nice summer days. With big events like the two that I mentioned Metra usually has extra service and will post the special schedule in advance.

CC

[Electroliner 1935]

If you are going to be in Chicago in August and those will be weekdays and as you say you plan to ride metra routes other than the electric one, I would like to suggest that the BNSF line to Fairview Ave. station be considered arriving there at 4:12 PM and leaving around 5:47. Between those times, there are trains "flipping" ie, terminating their outbound runs, crossing over from track 1 to track 3, and deadheading back to Chicago, Express trains to Naperville (lv Union Sta 5:00PM) staying on track two, and Express trains to Downers Grove (lv UnionSta 5:04 PM) crossing from track 2 to track 1 before their first stop at Downers Grove @ 5:29. A total of eighteen (10 outbound & 8 inbound) metra trains. And occasionally, there will be a freight or late Amtrak thrown in to mess things up. If you download the BNSF Metra schedule

https://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/bnsf/schedule.full.html

You can see some number gaps for the inbound trains (1278, 1282, 1284 & 1286 & 1290) These are the deadhead runs. Trains 1245, 1249, & 1255 flip on the crossovers between the Fairview and Downers Grove Station. If you not that train 1259 lv Chicago @ 5:00 PM is four minutes ahead of train 1261 which arrives at Downers Grove @ 5:29PM, that puts 1259 doing 70 mph at DG @ 5:25 just as #1249 is terminating at Fairview. I used to see it crossover in the four minutes between the two express trains. Hopefully you will have great weather and a good time. 

[SFbrkmn]

This trip is all finalized. Monday will do the Metra rides on both MILW routes from CUS. Tue will be goimg down and spending day @ Homewood. Probably should have set it up to do the Metra rides on say Sun but that can be planned for yey another, trip, another yr

[richhotrain]

SFbrkmn

This trip is all finalized. Monday will do the Metra rides on both MILW routes from CUS. Tue will be goimg down and spending day @ Homewood. Probably should have set it up to do the Metra rides on say Sun but that can be planned for yey another, trip, another yr

Tuesday is perfect.  A lot more freight action and commuter action on weekdays than weekends.  Lived in Homewood for 22 years.

[MarknLisa]

Stop at Flossmoor Station for a pint.

http://flossmoorstation.com/19-general/110-welcome

 

[SFbrkmn]

A quick trip recap: Monday rode three Metra routes  that lasted about 12 hrs w/ a lunch stop @ CUS in between. Tue took the Metea electric to Homewood, stayed there 5 hrs and 18 train movements went by. Finally I was getting bored w/ the train stuff, came bk to big city and took water taxi to Navy Pier. Did the 40 min Lake MI cruise, ate supper @ Hary Carrys, water taxi bk and by time I arrived at the HI Express I was beat. Chicago has become one of my favorite cities to visit. There are a few more Metra routes I want to ride and will come bk in probavly acouple yrs. One comment on Metra: the ticket agents were friendly & helpful. The condrs on the trains were the same. MUch better than Amtrak of which my support has totally dropped to zero. Merta is a thumbs up operation from my experiences.