A friend of mine and I are going to have some time in February for an afternoon to do some train watching along one of the Metra Lines. We will take Metra out from Union Station to the spot that we’ll pick.
Prefer the spot to be not too far west, as we’ll likely taxi to O’Hare at the end of our day. IE we probably don’t want to go further west than I-355 unless there was something extraordinary.
Couple of questions: I know that both the UP West Line and the BNSF line to Aurora have good frequency–are they close enough in volume, or is the frequency on one much greater than the other (UP West Line would be a shorter [cheaper]) taxi ride, so probably prefer UP).
And, would appreciate a good station suggestion to plant ourselves at (heated, viewing platform, food within easy walking, etc.).
We’ll be there from roughly noon to 4 p.m. after having arrived on the Cardinal that morning (assuming it’s on time) from NYC.
I’d suggest Emhurst, on UP West. Of course, you’d have to make a short walk from Union Station to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, but you have close to as many trains as on the BNSF (maybe more–it’s hard to count both places on any given day); the waiting room is open, and you have a few food choices nearby–and a darned good hobby shop! The trains usually move slowly coming in and out of Proviso, but some of the trains running around Proviso move right along.
I’ll agree with Carl that Elmhurst is the best spot on the C&NW West Line, having spent many a Sunday afternoon (and other days) over there. On the BN, almost any station starting at Berwyn and heading west would be a good spot. Berwyn is good since most freights are either slowing to enter Clyde or are still gaining speed after leaving Clyde. There is also a small business district around the station with some nice eateries. La Grange Road is also pretty good, the Amtrak “Illinois Zephyr” and “Carl Sandburg” also stop there, and there are several restaurants and a hobby shop in walking distance.
Let me also put in a vote for Elmhurst on the UP. I also spent a lot of time train watching there. Lots of place to eat down there as well. Al’s Hobby Shop is about 1/2 a block from the station on Addison St.
Downers Grove has a nice hobby shop - Timberline Trains - only 3 blocks south of the downtown Main Street depot, a classic brick CB&Q affair where you can fan out of the weather. Tell Keith I sent you - he advertises in MR’s shop directory, highlighted in yellow. Lots of eateries in this trendy, upscale and safe neighborhood along BNSF’s racetrack.
I, too, would recommend the La Grange road METRA stop on the BNSF mainline, but for two other reasons. First, the BNSF mainline crosses over the old, and still operated, IHB line about 1/2 mile east of the La Grange road crossing. So, one of you could “fan” the BNSF line while the other “fans” the old IHB line nearby. Second, save the difference between cab fare and bus fare to ORD by taking the La Grange road PACE bus that operates directly, with many stops, to ORD. Even with stops, that bus ride should be less than an hour and might save you $20 each.