A very thorough and accurate report. I usually have my Uber pick me up from Beggars Pizza on the corner of Clinton and Jackson.
Is the Greyhound station in Chicago now closed, as was rumored might happen?
After walking through the food court, we're again at the Mezzanine of the Adams entrance.
Here, we'll continue down another escalator to the north atrium and platforms.
As you can see, there are some benches in this area for commuters awaiting trains.
View attachment 36475
There is, currently, no active construction in the atriums for the north or south platforms. Most scaffolding is in the hallway between the concourse and the Great Hall.
Excellent photo documentary - only improvement would be to do this in an video/audio mode.
As I recall - - - - -
That Madison Avenue entrance - interesting in that you go down stairs (only*** no mechanical assist
elevator/escalator) to the end of the north track platforms - thence about a two block long walk
between two track platforms about the length of a total Empire Builder #7 consist to arrive at the
north track concourse and waiting room.
This short cut only for some of the Metra trains - ? Amtrak Hiawatha and the Builder on non adjacent tracks -
Danger crossing to those !
While the area is ventilated - when locomotives are in motion exhaust emissions are present ! UGH !
Thanks so much for the info. I have some mobility issues and can't walk long distances or do a lot of stairs.Your train arrives right at Union Station. Commuter and LD Amtrak lines converge in the same area.
I don't know if this is the appropriate place to post but here goes. We are coming in from Aurora(Ill) train to get on the Amtrak to DC. Do we just stay in Union Station & find the Amtrak area or do we need to exit the building to find a different entrance for Amtrak? Thanks so much. This is all new to us.
Thanks so much for the info. I have some mobility issues and can't walk long distances or do a lot of stairs.
You should ask for a Redcap to assist you in the Station. Do not forget to tip for their service!Thanks so much for the info. I have some mobility issues and can't walk long distances or do a lot of stairs.
Your invaluable assistance sincerely appreciated. Thank you, NorthShore!Elevator entrance along Jackson, between Canal and Chicago River (also designed pickup/dropoff point for ride shares/taxis.)
Unless current construction changes things the train arrival/departure level is virtually on the that same level.Quick question - is it possible to stay on the trains levels rather than going up to the lounge? And is there any seating there?
We'd be coming in on the Texas Eagle, catching the Blue Water. It's only about 3 hours, and both myself & my daughter are train enthusiasts who kind of just want to hang out & watch all the train traffic after maybe a quick run to the sleeper lounge for snacks & bathrooms if needed. Is there a good, mobility friendly place to do that?
"up to the lounge?" Are you referring to the Chicago Metro Lounge? If so, it is two levels. Normally, one would enter or leave on the lower level, which is where the bathrooms, snacks, luggage storage room and about 2/3 of the seats are located. It is level with the Great Hall, about 3 steps up from the platforms, but there is a long ramp from the Great Hall/Metro Lounge level down to the platform level, where the Amtrak coach and local commuter rail waiting rooms are located, as well as the doors out to the tracks.Quick question - is it possible to stay on the trains levels rather than going up to the lounge? And is there any seating there?
We'd be coming in on the Texas Eagle, catching the Blue Water. It's only about 3 hours, and both myself & my daughter are train enthusiasts who kind of just want to hang out & watch all the train traffic after maybe a quick run to the sleeper lounge for snacks & bathrooms if needed. Is there a good, mobility friendly place to do that?
Thanks. I didn't think Greyhound's Chicago station was closed yet, but of course there have been rumors.It is not closed, but fully operating. However, Greyhound is also using Union Station as a stop for many buses, and even has a desk with agent on the concourse. Oddly, the bus I rode to Chicago recently passed the Greyhound station right by to, first, stop at Union Station before returning the three blocks back to its own Greyhound terminal.
The CUS Metropolitan Lounge is on the same level as the Great Hall. The Jackson street (street level) entrance is CLOSED - Emergency Exit Only. That Jackson St entrance 2nd story level is the only view to the outside."up to the lounge?" Are you referring to the Chicago Metro Lounge? If so, it is two levels. Normally, one would enter or leave on the lower level, which is where the bathrooms, snacks, luggage storage room and about 2/3 of the seats are located. It is level with the Great Hall, about 3 steps up from the platforms, but there is a long ramp from the Great Hall/Metro Lounge level down to the platform level, where the Amtrak coach and local commuter rail waiting rooms are located, as well as the doors out to the tracks.
You can't see the tracks from either the Hall or the Metro Lounge lower level, and can only see the ends of the trains through the windows in the doors at the platform level. I don't think they let passengers out onto the platforms except when they are boarding. I don't think there is anywhere on the upper level of the Metro lounge to look out over the tracks and watch the trains, but maybe someone knows for sure. The only thing I can think of is to exit the station at street level and walk north (EB. Wisconsin and Commuter Rail trains) or south (most Amtrak and commuter trains) a couple of blocks and look down from the street.
Few Amtrak stations, in my experience, have good places for train watching.
The CUS Metropolitan Lounge is on the same level as the Great Hall.
The Jackson street (street level) entrance is CLOSED - Emergency Exit Only.
That Jackson St entrance 2nd story level is the only view to the outside.
Private Note: the 2nd floor Lounge is nice quiet spot of respite away from
busy bustling main floor - it is accessible by elevator - no concessions -
large restroom - comfortable furniture unlike the basic seating main floor.
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