Mini Trip Report - Metra UP North Line, Evanston to Chicago-Ogilvie

I've spent a fair bit of time in Chicago, and I've used a good chunk of the CTA's network. However, I've always been intrigued by the city's separate commuter rail network known as Metra. While out in Evanston in March, we realized there was a great opportunity to ride Metra a few stops back into the city and check it out. Metra is a very quirky system made up of what used to be several private rail lines. This line, now known as Union Pacific North, was originally operated by the Chicago & North Western railway. C&NW eventually merged into Union Pacific, and in 1984, the line became part of the newly-formed Metra network. However, unlike most commuter lines, UP still operates the trains. The rolling stock is also very cool--1960s vintage Pullman cars that are just about in mint condition. The layout of the cars is just bizarre with atrium-style seating and a huge vestibule in the center. This trip may have been short, but I loved it and I hope you enjoy it too.
www.theelevatorchannel.net

[@kzooaviation]

I used to watch this channel so much in middle school, just now rediscovering it in college.

[@SirensAndElevators]

I love the Metra. I’ve been on over half their lines including this one going all the way from Kenosha.

[@ericsturniolo]

I’d be stressing out at those dwarf signals coming into Chicago trying to figure out which track is which!

[@hansonel]

Lived on the North Shore suburbs for years and commuted into the city everyday on the Metra UPN or would switch from the Purple Line at Davis to the Metra to avoid going Downtown on the Red Line.
I even take Metra to Ravenswood when I want to get from the Loop (West Loop) to the North Side of Chicago faster and more comfortably than via CTA.

[@NickWmadevids]

I grew up along the Washington D.C. I-95 corridor, and for years I've ridden on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) to get from my home town up to the city and back. VRE operate these same train cars on their commuter train network. I've always found the seats to be a bit firm but not to bad for a commuter train, and its fun sitting on the top deck!
The VRE is a cool service too should you find yourself in the D.C. area again!

[@stacym735]

Apparently even a video approach to Chicago by train makes my heart beat a little faster. I love that city! :)

[@StacieCarberry-ol9yg]

It just been cloudy down here in Florida!😊

[@NSHorseheadSD70]

At 7:46 you can hear the PTC beeping at the engineer lol

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Seems like a super fun experience, great video guys!😸

[@americanairlinesfan1cloud64]

Reminds me of the Trinity Railway Express in DFW

[@dave11686]

Have ridden Metra many times

[@jq2147]

That train station makes the ones in metro Boston look like the Taj Majal. Holy crap.

[@johnp139]

Was just in Chicago and I used the L, worked fine, especially for $2.50!!!

[@MasonColemanWright1234]

I want to visit Chicago someday

[@BirbarianHomeGuard]

The seat backs on metra’s gallery cars can be reversed, so you and your friend could have faced each other!

[@shsav2012]

So of the agencies with gallery cars that I have been on (VRE, Metra, Caltrain (San Francisco Bay)) the Caltrain ones have the best interior
And yet those are gonna be replaced in the fall with new Stadler EMU’s

[@donaldpaluga]

When did you catch it, twenty-five or six to four?

[@carselevators930]

I haven’t been on a train in a long time ever since I was in New York

[@statecollegewx4060]

Cool

[@islandcityelevandesc]

Never ridden the heavy rail Metra, but I have ridden the CTA and the Metra Electric

[@spaha82]

Damn we are way behind Europe as far everything goes :(

[@Elevatorguy8462]

That is British

[@MidwestCWS]

Just your standard Metra station, nothing to see here.

[@StuartAxe]

That station at the beginning hasn't had any investment whatsoever in decades. Not good.