I’m going to be spending some time in Chicago this month with the fam. I was thinking about hopping on the Metra UP West line and taking that over to Elburn or wherever. Is it safe to hang out at the Metra stations. I know theres been some run-ins with the Metra police and since I will be carrying a camera, will I become a target?
Also, is the UP still congested? The last couple of times I’ve been along this line its been in total gridlock, and thats not any fun.[:)]
You shouldn’t have any trouble on station platforms as they will assume you are waiting for a train. Are you aware that Metra has a weekend pass for $5.00 that lets you ride the system from Saturday at idnight until Monday at midnight as much as you want? You can ride quite a few train in that timeframe if it interests you. It is good on all lines so you can ride the IC, BNSF, RI, UP, CNW, or all the others. You just ask the conductor for a weekend pass and buy it from him.
You asked about UP congestion. Last time I was along the line west of the Chicago Suburban Territory was a couple of months ago on a Monday afternoon (before the PM rush had started in Chicago) and trains were stacked up west of Rochelle. I’ve seen it this way on Sundays, as far out as Morrison, though that observation dates to over one year ago.
UP is still Clogged up somewhat out here lots of Trains sitting around out wet waiting for space. You prorably won’t have any problems on the Metra Platforms.
Terminal indigestion! More trains and an aging Chicago rail infrastructure (UP & others) that is struggling to keep up with the volume. Now that Metra has vacated the W Chicago Yard for Elburn, I wonder if the UP might use the extra yard space to hold/stage eastbound trains waiting to ge into another yard? A quick note on the new Metra station at Elburn… It’s in the middle of a field (for now) & the town is about another half-mile west of the station. Don’t ask me why that is. Anyway, have fun & stay safe.
Dang…You’d think they would have figured out their congestion problems by now.
ndbprr, I am aware of the $5 deal. Unfortunately, I wont be able to do any railfanning on the weekend, I need to spend some time with the family. Bummer, it’s quite a deal for a cheap northern railbuff like myself.[:)]
I’ve been taking pictures at the Elmhurst station for years and have never had a problem with either the Elmhurst or C&NW/UP police. Being just west of Proviso, it’s a good spot since most freights are slowing down to enter the yard or are still accelerating on the way out.