Two Days in Chicago

[Kevin C. Smith]

Well, I just got back from a couple day's trip to Chicago. I'm not one for detailed travelogues but I can tell a boring story along with the best of them. So, if you're looking to catch some shut-eye, here we go. THE ITINERARY DAY ONE-Metra from Kenosha to Clybourn. Took a bus from Milwaukee. One stop was the Racine Transit Center which is based around the old C&NW depot, partially in anticipation of extending Metra service north from Kenosha. Sadly, those plans have been greatly, well, setback shall we say. Got to Clybourn (the junction of the UP's ex-C&NW North and Northwest lines from downtown) in time for the evening rush. The station is just platforms but the immediate neighborhood is OK and there is a 7-11 handy for snacks and drinks. Spent a few hours enjoying both many trains and, occasionally, many trains at once. At about 5:30 two inbound and two outbound locals stopped and an outbound express went through. You could have caught them all easily in a single pan shot of no more than two minutes duration if you were recording video. After that, I rode into North Western Station (now called Ogilvie Transportation Center-just not by me) and caught the CTA Green Line to Oak Park. Caught dinner there and watched both CTA and Metra trains on the elevated line through town. Then, back downtown on the CTA and walked to Union Station and Metra's BNSF line to my hotel in Brookfield. DAY TWO-Up gawdawfulearly to watch the morning inbound rush. I seem to recall reading that BNSF is Metra's busiest single line? Well, if not it's gotta be close. Inbound locals & expresses, outbound locals & expresses (empty equipment moves?), a couple of turn arounds and, at the finish, a couple of freight trains, got the day off to a good start. Then, downtown again, back to the UP's West Line and off to check out suburban Wheaton. A few hours there was much more laid back, with a couple of afternoon Metra trains and 3-4 freights (all outbound-either double stacks or auto carriers). Back downtown, back to the CTA and off to Van Buren Street for Metra's old IC/South Shore trains. Did I say BNSF had a lot of trains? Well, nothing like the old IC. Their commuter lines are, essentially, a transit service with mainline equipment. Only three tracks at the station but an outbound train every couple of minutes, plus a line (yes, a line-as in 50 to 100 fet apart) of equipment coming in from the yards, keeps a train is sight constantly for over two hours. After that, a slow walk to Union, Amtrak back to Milwaukee and a bus home. IMPRESSIONS and MISCALLANY-1) The C&NW used to put platforms in on the express tracks at certain stations (and put an “X” by the departure time in the schedule to show it) but BNSF's express track is just that-no stopping. 2) I still miss North Western Station. It almost made landmark status. I wonder if it would have been renovated if it had survived? The areas beneath the train shed are well done, with a market/food court, though. 3) Meanwhile, at Union Station, Amtrak and Metra share a crowded, hot, stuffy basement beneath an office building. Yet, across the street, the old waiting room is empty and used as an event hall (though open as a waiting room when not in use). 4) As much as my old loyalty to/memories of the C&NW want to say otherwise, I can't think of a better place to watch trains than the BNSF. A lot of commuters, some Amtrak, and plenty of freight trains all on one line. 5) There is nothing like riding in the first car of an L train going around the Loop. 6) I got so used to a roaring locomotive on the end of a Metra train that watching the Metra electric trains was a little disorienting at first-both ends were quiet. 7) After two days of riding commuter and L trains, I forgot how smoothly and quietly Amtrak's equipment rides.

[richhotrain]

Wait!

You spent two days in Chicago.

You visited Union Station and mourned the loss of North Western Station.

But you didn't take a walk through Dearborn Station?

For shame.   

Rich

[Kevin C. Smith]

lol-LaSalle was on my itinerary last trip. Looks like Dearborn will have to be on the plan for next time.

[richhotrain]

After the old train shed at Dearborn Station was torn down in the 1970s, the station itself fell into disrepair and just sat there waiting for the wrecker's ball.  But, instead, the building was saved and restored.  Today, there are retail shops and restaurants in the first floor lobby.  While all of the station tracks are long gone, you can still walk around in that area which is now a park behind the station itself.  The station still looks like its old self.

Rich