METRA STATIONS GUIDE

Welcome to Metra, the commuter rail system that serves northeast Illinois. Metra

operates 11 rail lines that serve the six counties surrounding the Chicago metro

area. There are 242 stations in the Metra system. Over 80 percent of these stations

are accessible to riders with disabilities. These stations represent 96 percent of

systemwide boardings.

This Stations Guide has been produced to assist customers who are blind and

visually impaired who require the same information that other customers access in

print format. In this document, there is an emphasis on directional and way-finding

information to assist these customers navigating the Metra system. In lieu of maps,

each rail district is laid out with stations listed from the downtown terminus point to

the end of that line.

Metra’s Downtown Terminals

Metra is a true hub-and-spoke rail system. All 11 lines radiate out from the Chicago

downtown area. The majority of riders come into the city center from outlying

communities to access employment and entertainment. Metra has five major

downtown stations: Chicago Union Station, Millennium Station, the Ogilvie

Transportation Center, LaSalle Street Station and the Van Buren Station. At all

these facilities, there is an audio system to assist blind and visually impaired

customers determine which track their train is departing from and track enunciators

to help locate their track. This is in place so that a customer with significant visual

loss can navigate to their train without assistance.

Chicago Union Station

This is one of Chicago’s great landmarks and is nearly 100 years old. The facility is

owned by Amtrak and is one of their main hubs. However, 85 percent of the trains

that come in and out of this station are Metra trains. It is bounded by the Chicago

River on the east, Clinton Street on the west, Adams Street on the north and

Jackson Boulevard on the south. Canal Street runs north and south and separates

the old and the newer station complex. Customers can access the main entrances

on Canal Street. The main entrance on the east side of Canal Street (in the middle

of the block between Adams and Jackson) has both an escalator and elevator that

will take customers down to the main concourse area. On the west side of Canal

Street there is now an elevator in the middle of that block that will take customers

down to the Metra ticket area as well. The Metra ticket windows are centrally

located so customers can purchase tickets prior to boarding their trains. Walking

north, you will drop down into the North Concourse. Just before you make your way

down a set of stairs and/or ramp, there is a departures monitor that uses a screen

reader, so you can stop and check which track your train is departing from. Trains

on the Milwaukee District North, Milwaukee District West and North Central Service

depart from the North Concourse. These are odd-numbered tracks and audio track

enunciators will help you locate your train. Walking south from the Metra ticket

windows, you will come to the South Concourse. Again, there will be an audio

departures monitor to tell you which track your train is departing from. BNSF,

Heritage Corridor and Southwest Service trains depart from the South Concourse,

which has even-numbered tracks. There are additional access/egress points to use

Chicago Union Station. There are entrances at the corners of Clinton/Adams and

Clinton/Jackson. Entering on this west side, you will come through the magnificent

Great Hall. There also is an entrance to Chicago Union Station on the south side of

Madison Street, just east of Canal Street. From the street, you will walk down into

the far north end of the station. A stairway will give access to tracks on the North

Concourse.

Ogilvie Transportation Center

The Ogilvie Transportation Center is adjacent to the Accenture Tower at 500 W

Madison. The train platforms on the second level can be reached through the

Accenture Tower or via entrances on Clinton and Canal between Washington and

Randolph. Coming up the main escalator from Madison Street and then to the left,

you will find the ticket office. Through a long line of revolving doors, you will enter

the train shed where there are sixteen tracks. They are numbered 1 to 16, moving

from west to east. This is the main hub for all Union Pacific North, Northwest and

West line trains. Across from the actual tracks, there are three departures

monitors. These monitors have screen readers and will give continuous audio

departure information. These monitors are aligned with Tracks 3, 8 and 13. At the

actual tracks, there are audio enunciators that let customers know which track is in

front of them. The departures monitors will let you know which track your train is

departing from, and the track enunciators will direct you to your track. In the middle

of each platform, there is a stairway that leads down to another concourse that runs

between the Clinton and Canal entrances and provides access to the Chicago

French Market, where food and other items can be purchased. There are audio

departures monitors and track enunciators on this lower level to help you navigate

back up to the trains.

Millennium Station

The Metra Electric Line originates at Millennium Station at Michigan Avenue and

Randolph and runs south to University Park. This is an underground complex that

can be accessed by both stairs and elevator at the southwest corner of Michigan

and Randolph. Once underground, a pedway will take you directly to the Metra

ticket windows and to the trains. Along this pedway, there will be a variety of shops

and eateries. Also along this pedway, there will be the main terminal and ticket area

for the South Shore Railroad, which operates from Chicago to South Bend, Indiana.

Another way of accessing the station is through the 205 N. Michigan Avenue

Building. An elevator will take you down into the South Water St. station entrance.

What is unique about the Millennium Station is that live, audio announcements will

be made to announce train departures and track assignments. Armed with this

information, customers go through doors into an area where track enunciators

indicate which stairwell will lead to the desired tracks.

Van Buren Station

Van Buren is the first outbound stop on the Metra Electric Line after Millennium

Station. Van Buren Station can be accessed at entrances on the southwest or

northwest corners of Michigan Avenue and Van Buren. Either entrance will lead

you down to a central tunnel that points westward to two ramps. The one to the

right goes up into the Van Buren Station itself. Here you will find the Metra ticketing

area, as well as two waiting areas. Straight ahead and out the main doors will put

you on platform 1, which is devoted to outbound trains. The other ramp will lead

you down to the island platform. Track 3 (or the outside side) is used for inbound

trains. Track 2 (or the inside) will accommodate inbound trains in the morning rush

period and outbound trains during the evening rush period. Generally, these are

Blue Island, South Chicago and Kensington locals. You can also board South

Shore trains to Indiana.

LaSalle Street Station

This station is the main hub for all Rock Island Line trains that go to either Joliet or

the Beverly Branch. There are two main entrances to this station. The first is at 414

S. LaSalle Street, where there are stairs and an escalator. The other entrance is at

440 S. Financial Place. Here you will also find an escalator and stairs as well as an

elevator. Once at the upper level, there is a large plaza area. On the north side of

the plaza, you will find the Metra ticket office and waiting area. In the waiting area,

there is a departures monitor with a screen reader that will tell you which track your

next train is departing from. Across the plaza to the south, there are eight tracks

with enunciators that identify them. They are numbered 1 through 8, going from

east to west. On the plaza near the ticket office is another audio departures

monitor.

Audio at Outlying Stations

At every outlying station, there are automatic, GPS announcements that inform

customers about all incoming trains. The initial announcement will let customers

know that the next inbound or outbound train will be arriving in their station in a few

minutes. This is to allow customers to cross safely from one platform to another. It

also gives customers enough time to get their coffee and get out on to the platform.

The next announcement informs customers that their train is now arriving in their

station.

Stand Behind the Yellow Line

There is a saying that goes, “access benefits everyone.” Every platform at every

station location has been edged with bright yellow tactile strips. These truncated

dome strips have been the national standard as a warning marker for blind and

visually impaired people navigating public areas. For Metra, it has also become the

yellow line that we use to alert all customers to stand behind when trains are

passing through stations.

Something Else You Can Use

In the railroad industry, it has always been a tradition to refer to railroads as being

left-handed or right handed. If you were standing on a moving train facing the

direction of travel and boarding and alighting were on your left, this would be a left

handed railroad. If boarding and alighting were on your right, it would be a right-

handed railroad. This becomes useful when you are standing on a platform facing

the tracks. A left-handed railroad will be moving from your right side to your left

side. A right-handed railroad will move from your left side to your right side. Riders

should be aware that although certain tracks and platforms are used under normal

operations, operating conditions may sometimes require trains to be routed to other

tracks.

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS

There are a variety of situations that may cause an alteration in the regular

schedules and normal boarding of Metra trains. Freight interference, bad weather,

accidents and derailments and mechanical difficulties are just a few of the reasons

why trains may experience delays or why customers may have to board on a

different platform or at a street-grade crossing. Metra’s primary concern is to keep

our customers safe and provide all the information they need to use our system.

Public address announcements originate at Metra headquarters and rely on timely

and accurate data provided by a GPS tracking system. When needed, messages

can be generated by authorized Metra personnel from anywhere in the system.

Public address systems at all Metra stations are the means by which our

passengers are informed about any changes in the movement of our trains. If trains

are running behind schedule or if the boarding location has changed, these

messages will be conveyed to our passengers on location. Our goal is to give our

customers ample time to make their way to another platform or to another boarding

area prior to the arrival of their train.

ASK YOUR TICKET AGENT

Your ticket agent is a good source of directional information. At our downtown

stations, they can tell you which track your train is departing from (or arriving on)

and can point you in the right direction. At our outlying stations that have an agent

on duty, you can ask about inbound and outbound train arrivals and departures and

where you are to wait for your train.

BNSF LINE

Chicago Union Station to Aurora

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

Generally, inbound trains to Chicago board on the south, or the depot

platform, and outbound trains toward Aurora stop on the north platform. There is an

adjoining Amtrak station at Naperville.

Chicago Union Station: A

Halsted: N

Western Ave: N

Cicero: A

LaVergne: A

Berwyn: A

Harlem Ave: A

Riverside: P

Hollywood: A

Brookfield: P

Congress Park: N

LaGrange Rd: A

LaGrange-Stone Ave: A

Western Springs: A

Highlands: A

Hinsdale: A

West Hinsdale: A

Clarendon Hills: P

Westmont: A

Downers Grove-Fairview Ave: P

Downers Grove-Main St: A

Downers Grove Belmont: A

Lisle: A

Naperville: A

Route 59: A

Aurora: A

ROCK ISLAND LINE

LaSalle Street Station to Joliet

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

Monday thru Friday, the Rock Island Line uses the longer, east platforms to

accommodate the large volume of riders for both the morning and evening rush

hours. Inbound passengers travelling to Chicago board on the east platforms up

until the 1:40 p.m. train departure from LaSalle Street. After this the same east

platforms become the outbound platforms toward Joliet for the duration of the day.

After the 2:15 p.m. departure from Joliet, the west platforms become the inbound

(to Chicago) platforms. On weekends and holidays the east platforms board

inbound passengers and the west platforms are used for outbound traffic.

Customers should be aware that in non-peak periods (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

to 1 a.m. on weekdays) and on weekends, there could be freight traffic. Public

address announcements will indicate all platform changes. The Blue Island

Vermont St. station is the transfer point for accessing the Metra Electric trains.

There is an Amtrak station at Joliet.

La Salle St: A

-Lou Jones: A

Gresham: N

95th St-Longwood: P

103

St-Washington Hts: A

Brainerd: A

91st St-Beverly Hills: P

95th St-Beverly Hills: A

99th St-Beverly Hills: A

103rd St-Beverly Hills: A

107th St-Beverly Hills: P

111th St-Morgan Park: A

115th St-Morgan Park: P

119th St: P

123rd St: N

Prairie St: N

Blue Island Vermont St: A

Robbins: A

Midlothian: A

Oak Forest: A

Tinley Park: A

Tinley Park-80th Ave: A

Hickory Creek-Mokena: A

Mokena-Front St: A

New Lenox: A

Joliet: A

METRA ELECTRIC LINE

Millennium Station to University Park

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

On the Metra Electric, platforms are at the same level as the floor of the rail

cars. The platform structures are elevated in excess of 6 feet above the ground. It

is almost entirely a single-platform system, with tracks on either side of the platform.

The warming houses are in the middle of this central structure. In Hyde Park (51

thru 57

), there are inbound and outbound platforms with two tracks in the middle.

Millennium Station and Van Buren Station are the only locations that have ticket

agents. The 63rd Street Station is the transfer point on the mainline to the South

Chicago Branch. The Kensington Station on the mainline is the transfer point for the

Blue Island Branch. The Blue Island station on the Blue Island Branch is a transfer

point for Rock Island Line trains. There is no Blue Island Branch service on

Sundays. At Homewood, there is an adjoining Amtrak station.

Millennium/South Water Station: A

Van Buren: A

Place Museum Campus: A

18th St.: N

McCormick Place: A

27th St.: N

47th St.-Kenwood: N

51st, 53rd-Hyde Park: A

55th, 56th, 57th Hyde Park: A

59th St.-University of Chicago: N

63rd St.: N

75th St.-Grand Crossing: N

79th St.-Chatham: N

83rd St.-Avalon Park: N

87th St.-Woodruff: N

91st St.-Chesterfield: N

95th St.-Chicago State University: N

103rd St.-Rosemoor: N

107th St.: N

111th St.-Pullman: N

Kensington-115th St.: A

Riverdale: N

Ivanhoe: A

147th St.-Sibley: N

Harvey: A

Hazel Crest: A

Calumet: A

Homewood: A

Flossmoor: A

Olympia Fields: N

211th St.-Lincoln Highway: A

Matteson: N

Richton Park: A

University Park: A

SOUTH CHICAGO BRANCH

Stony Island: A

Bryn Mawr: A

South Shore: A

Windsor Park: A

Cheltenham-79th St.: A

83rd St: A

87th St.: A

93rd St.-South Chicago: A

BLUE ISLAND BRANCH

State St.: N

Stewart Ridge: N

West Pullman: N

Racine Ave: N

Ashland Ave: N

Burr Oak: N

Blue Island: A

MILWAUKEE DISTRICT NORTH LINE

Chicago Union Station to Fox Lake

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

The general rule is that inbound trains to Chicago board on the west

platforms and the outbound trains toward Fox Lake stop on the east side. The Golf

and Glenview stations are the exception to this rule. After Lake Forest, this line

goes from two tracks to a single track all the way to Fox Lake. The depots are on

the west or inbound side. Please be aware that there is a second Lake Forest

Station on the Union Pacific North Line (on North Western Ave.) and another

Grayslake station on the North Central Service (Washington Street). Glenview also

has an Amtrak station.

Chicago Union Station: A

Western Ave: A

Healy: A

Grayland: N

Mayfair: N

Forest Glen: N

Edgebrook: A

Morton Grove: A

Golf: A

Glenview: A

North Glenview: A

Northbrook: A

Lake Cook Road: A

Deerfield: A

Lake Forest: A

Libertyville: A

Prairie Crossing: A

Grayslake: A

Round Lake: A

Long Lake: A

Ingleside: A

Fox Lake: A

MILWAUKEE DISTRICT WEST LINE

Chicago Union Station to Big Timber Road

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

Generally, inbound trains to Chicago board on the south, or depot platforms,

and outbound trains toward Big Timber Road stop on the north platforms. At

Franklin Park and River Grove the depots are on the north side. River Grove is the

transfer point for North Central Service trains.

Chicago Union Station: A

Western Ave: A

Grand/Cicero: A

Hanson Park: A

Galewood: A

Mars: A

Mont Claire: A

Elmwood Park: A

River Grove: A

Franklin Park: A

Mannheim: N

Bensenville: A

Wood Dale: A

Itasca: A

Medinah: A

Roselle: A

Schaumburg: A

Hanover Park: A

Bartlett: A

Elgin--National St.: A

Elgin--Chicago St.: A

Big Timber Road: A

NORTH CENTRAL SERVICE

Chicago Union Station to Antioch

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

On the North Central Service, the general rule is that inbound trains to

Chicago as well as the outbound trains to Antioch board on the west platforms.

Because of the high volume of freight traffic on this line, it is not unusual for trains to

alter their routine and board or alight passengers on the east side. It is very

important to listen to announcements to make sure that you are on the right

platform for boarding. The only ticket agents for this line are at Chicago Union

Station. River Grove is the transfer point for Milwaukee West Line trains. Please be

aware that there is a second station in Grayslake on the Milwaukee District North

Line. The North Central Service does not operate on weekends or holidays.

Chicago Union Station: A

Western Ave: A

River Grove: A

Belmont Ave.-Franklin Park: A

Schiller Park: A

Rosemont: A

O'Hare Transfer: A

Prospect Heights: A

Wheeling: A

Buffalo Grove: A

Prairie View: A

Vernon Hills: A

Mundelein: A

Prairie Crossing-Libertyville: A

Washington St.-Grayslake: A

Round Lake Beach: A

Lake Villa: A

Antioch: A

UNION PACIFIC NORTH LINE

Ogilvie Transportation Center to Kenosha

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

This is a two-track system all the way to Kenosha. Generally, the inbound

trains to Chicago stop on the east platforms and the outbound trains toward

Kenosha stop on the west platforms. The east side is also the depot side with the

exception of the Waukegan station. The Ravinia Park station is only open during

Ravinia concert season. Please be aware that there is a second station in Lake

Forest on the Milwaukee North Line. There are elevators at Evanston Main Street,

Winnetka and Kenosha.

Ogilvie Transportation Center: A

Clybourn: N

Ravenswood: N

Rogers Park: A

Main St. Evanston: A

Davis St. Evanston: A

Central St. Evanston: A

Wilmette: A

Kenilworth: A

Indian Hill: N

Winnetka: A

Hubbard Woods: N

Glencoe: A

Braeside: P

Ravinia Park (seasonal): P

Ravinia: A

Highland Park: A

Highwood: A

Fort Sheridan: A

Lake Forest: A

Lake Bluff: A

Great Lakes: A

North Chicago: A

Waukegan: A

Zion: A

Winthrop Harbor: A

Kenosha: A

UNION PACIFIC NORTHWEST LINE

Ogilvie Transportation Center to Harvard

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

During non-rush periods, inbound trains to Chicago will board on the north

platforms and outbound trains will stop on the south platforms. From Clybourn to

Palatine, this is a three-track system and the middle track is usually used for

express trains. However, at peak periods, all tracks may be used to accommodate

the large number of trains. With the exception of the Arlington Park, Cary and

Crystal Lake stations, the depots are also located on the north side.

Ogilvie Transportation Center: A

Clybourn: N

Irving Park: A

Jefferson Park: A

Gladstone Park: N

Norwood Park: A

Edison Park: A

Park Ridge: A

Dee Road: A

Des Plaines: A

Cumberland: A

Mount Prospect: A

Arlington Heights: A

Arlington Park: A

Palatine: A

Barrington: A

Fox River Grove: A

Cary: A

Pingree Road-Crystal Lake: A

Crystal Lake: A

Woodstock: A

McHenry: A

Harvard: A

UNION PACIFIC WEST LINE

Ogilvie Transportation Center to Elburn

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

As a general rule, inbound trains to Chicago board on the north platforms

and outbound trains toward Elburn stop on the south platforms. The north side will

be the depot side, with the exception of La Fox and Elburn. At La Fox and Elburn,

inboard trains may board from the south platform after 8:30 a.m.

Ogilvie Transportation Center: A

Kedzie: N

Oak Park: A

River Forest: N

Maywood: A

Melrose Park: A

Bellwood: A

Berkeley: A

Elmhurst: A

Villa Park: A

Lombard: A

Glen Ellyn: A

Wheaton-College Ave: A

Wheaton: A

Winfield: A

West Chicago: A

Geneva: A

La Fox: A

Elburn: A

SOUTHWEST SERVICE

Chicago Union Station to Manhattan

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

As a general rule, inbound trains to Chicago board on the south platforms

and the outbound trains toward Manhattan stop on the north platforms. The only

ticket agents for this line are at Chicago Union Station and 153

St (Orland Park).

There is limited service on Saturdays and no service on Sundays or holidays.

Chicago Union Station: A

Wrightwood: A

Ashburn: A

Oak Lawn: A

Chicago Ridge: A

Worth: A

Palos Heights: A

Palos Park: A

Orland Park-143rd St.: A

Orland Park-153rd St.: A

Orland Park-179th St.: A

Laraway Rd.-New Lenox: A

Manhattan: A

HERITAGE CORRIDOR

Chicago Union Station to Joliet

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

On the Heritage Corridor, the inbound trains to Chicago usually board on the

south platforms and the outbound trains to Joliet stop on the north platforms. The

only ticket agents for this line are at Chicago Union Station and Joliet (on the Rock

Island side). The Heritage Corridor does not run on weekends or holidays.

Chicago Union Station: A

Summit: A

Willow Springs: A

Lemont: A

Romeoville: A

Lockport: A

Joliet: A

NICTD

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

South Shore Railroad

Chicago Millennium Station to South Bend

A: Fully Accessible

P: Partially Accessible

N: Not Accessible

The South Shore Railroad runs out of Millennium Station, using Metra

Electric tracks until Kensington, where it continues to South Bend, Ind. There are

double tracks at 57

, Hegewisch and Hammond. Otherwise, the South Shore is a

single-track system. There are permanent tactile maps at each of the stations to

assist blind riders as well as audio announcements.

Millennium Station: A

Van Buren: A

Place Museum Campus: A

McCormick Place: A

57th St.-Hyde Park: A

63rd St.: N

Hegewisch: A

Hammond: A

East Chicago: A

Gary-Chicago Airport: N

Gary Metro Center: A

Miller: N

Ogden Dunes: A

Dune Park: A

Beverly Shores: N

11th St.-Michigan City: N

Carroll Ave-Michigan City: A

Hudson Lake: N

South Bend: A