The only passenger service of BNSF : World's LARGEST freight company on Chicago METRA 

Oops, it look like the map at 1:28 didn’t load correctly :( I apologize for that problem.

Some of the city ( not downtown ) stations can be like this. The suburban stations generally are clean and in good shape.

You chose just about the worst station on the line to get on at. The ones out in the suburbs are nicer.

I commuted many years on this particular line. Western Avenue is not the typical train station for this route most of the stations are very clean and Suburban

So many gorgeous stations along the BNSF route but Western Ave. ain't one of them.

Metra is planning on replacing most its rolling stock in the next 5 years. Some of the cars in the system are over 60 years old.

Oh I hope you did the South Shore Line while in Chicago. Such a unique line with regular passenger trains doing street running.

I grew up along the line and now work it in freight service. Western Ave is... an interesting place. Would have recommended getting on in Aurora. One huge advantage of those cars is the seat backs flip. If you're travelling with friends you can flip a seat to face the one behind. It creates a much more social environment. Also the new order will only replace half the cars.

You chose a very much unused station to board from. Most of Metra’s customers are suburbs - downtown terminus,

Thing is you gotta take the train out on a full ride. Jumping on in just the outskirts of the city doesn't do it justice. When you get the chance I would say take racetrack all the way out or take a train from the north end to Fox Lake. If you look on my channel I have a small clip of most of the Fox Lake Branch line before getting onto the mainline. Also the seats flip. Try tugging on one.

Using the Western Ave Station to take a swipe at the entire US Public Transit policy is extremely dishonest. Stations like Western shouldn’t even exist as Metra is supposed to be a suburban commuter system. The vast majority of Metra trip are 30 minutes or longer. This station exists purely because for political reasons and its condition is also due to politics. This area is clearly within the service territory of the CTA with the Western Ave Pink Line Station less than 6 blocks away. That is why this station less than 2 miles from the heart of Chicago averages just 57 riders while the CTA station sees thousands of users. Government run/ mandated Transit in the US may have problems, but the decay of this station isn’t one of them. This station is completely redundant and should be closed but politics forces Metra to keep its open and that is the problem with US Transit.

8:50 "aerodynamic left the chat" lol true

Commuted on this one and grew up two blocks from the Lisle station. This is a key commuter arterty and Western has to be one of the least-used stations on the line

The open space design is so conductors only have to make 1 pass when collecting tickets. It's an old design that pre-dates Metra.

10:13 Couldn’t help but notice, you missed such an easy detail. when you boarded the train there was an accessible sign on the car you boarded the first time. Those have motorized ramps inside the stairs, every Metra train has at least one of these per train to accommodate those kinds of passengers.

The BNSF also operates the Sounder Commuter Rail lines out of Seattle to Everett and down to Lakewood. I got to know some of the BNSF conductors and engineers when I commuted regularly on the Sounder between Tacoma Dome Station and Tukwila.

You needed to ride to and from where Metra is intended to serve. Not within the city of Chicago. That’s served by CTA. Metra has great service and very nice stations in the suburbs. I’m surprised Western was even still a stop. The Gallery cars date from days where tickets were collected on train. Conductor can reach upper and lower seats from one level. Has worked for Chicago for 70 years.

In 2007, my best friend from lycée moved to Chicago with his family so in summer 2008 I went out to visit him. He lived near Mount Prospect so we'd take the train from Mt Prospect/Arlighton Heights to Chicago Ogivile. That used a similar train and this vid brings back so many memories from that vacation.

There is ADA access to the coaches via a wheelchair lift on the stairway on all cars Except the Metra Electric/South Shore Line. Those are compatible with high platforms and level boarding.

For your information, Metra does have ticket vending machines, just not at some stations. Also, the newer coaches have lifts for passengers who have limited mobility.

BNSF also operates Sounder in Seattle and NorthStar in Minneapolis. Not sure if they are contracted to run any others of the top of my head.

Metra trains are accessible to a point, they have deployable wheelchair lifts at the boarding doors for those that can't use the stairs but you need staff help.

Bro you are the best ....thx a lot for making train videos ......

Quite a contrast between the clean platform level and the You'll-be-mugged-three-times-and-pray-for-the-sweet-relase-of-death entrance

ah the memories of riding the electric line to go to the auto show. good times

Rode that line in and out of Chicago everyday for work for years. Good memories. AND..my Metra pass was good on all Chicago buses/elevateds, and week ends. Good for bar hopping in old town on friday/or sat nite.

As others have noted, you picked a station tha tis not only poor by Metra standards, but poor for Metra in-city standards. You don't need to buy a ticket on-line; at stations without a machine you can buy a ticket on board without penalty (although you're out of luck if you want a 10-ride or monthly.) As others have noted, the open space to the upper level is to allow for ticket checking, but the open space horizontally near the doors is for wheelchair access. It's true that the steps are tough if you are mobility-challenged, but there are cars with lifts. The coaches you rode accommodate only low-level platforms, because that's all the line has.

I use your videos to go to sleep sometimes. I like the train sounds and the sounds of people quietly talking. I even like the sounds in the train stations.

Too bad you didn't get to ride the other lines. They're all great and unique in their own way. Metra electric, for example, has high level platforms.

Probably the coolest of all suburban trains, ever! Always wished to ride it. It is the quintessential Chicago.

Western Ave. and Halsted St. see very little traffic, because they have CTA service to the Loop. Even Cicero traffic declined, after the Western Electric plant nearby closed in the 1980s. If you had started your trip at Naperville, Downers Grove-Main St., or LaGrange-Stone Ave., you would have found lovely stations built before WWII with a ticket agent. Some of those cars on which yours were based are still operating. They were built by Budd in the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s and have been renovated several times.

Metra is in the process of transitioning from commuter service to true regional rail. I think that in 10 years the system will be so much more efficient and expansive. There’s also the Midwest high(er) speed rail network that’s being planned, centered around Chicago- many transit agencies are already making preparations for that. Progress IS happening here, thankfully!

A 2-minute delay from any train in Japan gets you an apology from the train operator and a note to give to your employer for your lateness.

My old company, oh the stories I could tell, especially about the Metra route.

Yes!!! I LOVE the Metra!

Wow, that brought back a lot of memories. When we visited relatives in Chicago, my dad and I would walk down to the station and catch a train for a few stops then head back. I clearly remember the conductor walking on the lower level, and would reach up to get tickets from the passengers in the upper level. Reduces capacity, but allowed the conductor to get the entire car quickly before the next stop.

Thank you Metro for all the rides to Chicago. I am so grateful 💖😍☕ Success for all employees of Metro ! 💖😄👍 I hope to return to see more of Chicago and the live plays. God bless you all 💖💖💖💖 I keep watching home alone film just to see the train scene. 😂😂☕☕👍

Another amazing video. Thanks for taking us along.

I'd honestly rather ride that than a new coach. The older cars have both more character and almost always more room. They're not making the new coaches for passenger comfort; they're making them to be more cost-effective to run. That means less space per passenger, less padding on the seats, cheaper materials, etc.

You realize this is a commuter train? It is mostly used to deposit folks from the Western suburbs to Union Station and back. As others have said, the suburban stations are nicer. It is a "working" train, not really a vacation train. I take it to my friend's house in Naperville all the time (from Union Station) and have never had a problem. I am sure routine commuters would feel differently about it. I find the new app easy to use and I am grateful I don't have to buy a ticket anymore. I can get my weekend pass (or I used to) right on my phone. My brother lives on LI and I don't really find it any different than that commuter line except it is about 1/3 the price.

Don’t see much wrong with the carriages, clean functional and the seating looks ok

BTW, BNSF logo can't date from the 1950s, the company was created in 1995 with merger of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Burlington Northern Railway. and it wasn't till 2005 that the railway formally shortened it to BNSF railway. :-) The BNSF logo doesn't seem to have any roots in either the Santa Fe or Burlington Northern logos. Re: Aerodynamics: I used to ride Gallery cars on CP Rail commuter service in Montréal. They had 9 such cars, 2 of which were cab cars. On the evening express to Rigaud at 17:15, they used all 9, and during the day, they split it into 2 trains, one of 6 cars and one with 3. When assembled as a single 9 car train, the cab in the middle blended in. CP's config had 2*2 seating throughout the downstairs, and upstairs, there was a luggage rack hung from ceiling over the middle gap. So conductor had clear vewi of passengers when checking tickets on both sides (unlike the METRA that has a luggae rack mid height on once side). The CP cars were also self powered (diesel generator) for lights, heating and air conditioning. So a bit more noisy. They were built in mid 1970s and lasted well into early 2000s as I recall (commiuter trains had been taken over by CTCUM, then AMT (now called EXO) and those gallery cars were deployed to the St-Jérome line in their last days. The large central doors offered 3 people going in/out at a time, so better than having doors at each end with total of 2 going up/down at a time. The stairs were also less steep than on conventional vestibules, aiding faster entry/egress.

Many other Metra stations in the suburbs are cleaner and with some interesting facilities, such as the heater in the passenger waiting area. As a commuter railroad they are doing an OK job in getting people out of their cars...Definitely not the best one might expect, but at least working to some degree. I have been on a few crowded inbound trains pre COVID time, not sure how they look now. I really wish they could add more services, maybe cutting the mostly 2-hour interval in half so it could be more useful for non commuters. Probably won’t see that coming in the foreseeable future though...

Unless they changed the rules, if there is no ticket machine or agent at the station where you board, then you purchase a ticket from the conductor. This may only be true on Metra, not anywhere else.

Best way to start a Friday! Great vid 😎

These trains actually are accessible to people in wheelchairs. A lift extends out of the staircase and down to the platform, then it moves the passenger up and into the aisle of the car.

I've ridden this line several times. I used to live west of Joliet so this was my way into the city

As a 10 yr old Chicagoan since 2010 I gotta say this vid is cool

Burlington Northern ceased passenger service in 1971 BNSF was created in 1995

thanks for the showcase dude! i enjoyed this video Alot!!

You can travel from Chicago to Florida, just not directly.

Gallery cars are easy for the conductors to work. You either hand down the ticket, the money to show the ticket on your phone. There is no stair climbing for them. San Francisco still has some gallery cars which were bought new, but whose days are limited. Nashville has used rebuilt Metra cars in the gallery design also. But clearly the days of that design has passed. The Burlington name boards on the old cars are just their for historical and cultural reasons, but I am glad to see them while they are here in Chicago.

The HEP de-activation at 9:24 though! Good trip report as always!

I took a ride on this route earlier today. Can confirm: the stations farther from Chicago are nicer and have really nice ticket attendants. Even caught a glimpse of Amtrak's new Siemens Venture cars on the way out of Union Station for the return trip!

I live in Chicagoland. Most of our stations are nicer. They’re nothing to win awards, but nothing like the one you happened to wind up using I’m not attacking you, I think this is a great video, just some extra information that I think could be good to have!

Travel by railways in India once ,Metra will feel like heaven

As someone who's ridden Metra trains since before they were called Metra, it's fascinating to see an outsider's perspective 😃

I have friends that lived in suburban Chicago when I was living in Madison Wis. I always took the bus from Union Station. My friends would drop me off at the Westmont station and I would watch trains and catch the final express to Union. There was, at the time, a great restaurant there and I’d sit by the window having breakfast. Later they moved to the North suburbs and I’d sit at the Iron Horse Cafe in Round Lake

I commuted on that line for most of the past 20 years until the pandemic. A year ago, the morning expresses from out in the burbs were completely rammed - standing room only. Now when I occasionally go downtown there is probably 50-60 people on the whole train. For the first time now I can get a seat versus stand in the vestibule. If you did manage to get a seat inside the car, because there's only one door per car, it took forever to get out at Union Station! I think Metra do a good job with the resources they have and generally the service is cheap and reliable. It's $14 round trip per day from the West Suburb where I live - a distance of about 35 miles. Wonder what Waterloo-Basingstoke costs per day? Add to that, Metra operates flawlessly in weather that would see British Railway companies take their toys and go home. All that said, now we have all been working from home for a year, I don't see the sheer volume of commuters we had coming back. I doubt we ever see those new railcars they were planning to buy.

I like the video, but I will echo what a few others said below, it doesn't do Metra justice if you choose a station that resides close to the inner city. You can't hide the fact that these stations exist on most commuter rail lines across the country, but most commuters RR's stations that are closer to the inner city are laid out in this manner because ridership is less since a parallel subway or bus line would exist nearby that is a considerably cheaper alternative to riding the higher priced commuter rail especially in the lower income inner city areas. That same situation could be found in NY, Philadelphia, DC, Boston, etc... There are many nice stations in the outer suburbs that would make the experience more pleasant. Additionally, anything outside of the North East portion of the US, most commuter rail lines are low platform primarily because most commuter lines share trackage with freight lines where high level platforms could become obstacles for freight train operation. Low level platforms are common all over the world. My family lives in Spain, and from what I have seen when riding RENFE, all stations are either low or mid level platforms which require passengers to climb up/ down in the same fashion as you see with Metra's cars. ADA access is generally at designated areas of the station where a ramp may exist and may usually require assistance from train crews, and even on high platform stations such as what they have on the Long Island Rail Road or Metro North Rail Road would still require the use of a metal ramp to allow safe ADA access to the train.

BNSF also operates 3 other passenger services: Metrolink in California, Northstar in Minnesota, and Sounder in the Puget Sound area around Seattle.

The CB&Q logo “Burlington” was above the entry doors, until the merger for BN creation in 1969. The BNSF logo was added after the SantaFe merger during last refurbishment about 20 years ago.

Glad you enjoyed the gallery car! They are so quaint if (like me) you are not from there. On this kind of car on Caltrain, the conductor used to walk along downstairs and you reached down to pay him. He would put a ticket in a little holder next to the luggage rack so he could see you had paid.

What a unique Train Report!!!, Thanks & keep doing so great🔥

1 tip for next time riding metra, don’t get on 2 stops from the city because the station usually suck and are gross, next time riding bnsf get on at like cicero

Terrific catches! Terrific trip! The BNSF manifest your Metra train was racing had a Ferromex engine on it trailing.

The signboards on the old coaches must have been repainted- the coaches are way older than BNSF. In fact, they may be older than Burlington Northern, possibly from Chicago Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q), circa 1950’s. The signboards most likely would have read “Burlington Route” in the same font.

So familiar to me! I grew up in the northwest suburbs and my father rode the Northwest line (UP) to downtown Chicago and home every single day. It was always a treat for me as a kid to get to take that train ride (about an hour) when visiting the busy downtown. I know all these coaches very well, I believe they are almost the same on all of the Metra lines, although I'm not sure about the electric ones. Interesting to get your perspective on the commuter train infrastructure in Chicago. I have to say, we all just tolerate its condition. "It is what it is."

Nice video! I take Metra a lot since I live in chicago. I mostly take the UP north line but have taken the BNSF line many many times.

I'd be interested to see a review on Utah's Frontrunner commuter train, that runs 81 miles between Ogden, through Salt Lake, and ends in Provo.

I grew up in the suburbs outside of Chicago and took Metra into the city a lot. Still do sometimes when I visit home. This made me nostalgic, I miss the upper seats and I can hear the names of the stations.

I grew-up in a small town that grew with the post-war suburban boom, just 22-mi. from The Loop, that has the Metra line run through it. I've ridden the commuter service only twice in my life--both times into the city--and I can tell you a few things: 1) 18th & Western is now a Barrio/ghetto. So don't expect people from around there to be wanted on the train. Want a good neighborhood to ride the train in from? With full facilities? Go to Naperville! 2) Think the Metra app is difficult? Try buying a ticket to ride the "El" train at the station! 3) Yeah, the cars are old... they're leftover from when trains were still a viable form of passenger transportation, and it still made money: The 50's! Just be glad it's moved by a modern locomotive, instead of some old streamliner. 4) Don't like the seating? Well, how else do you expect them to discourage hobos without paying the conductors more? 4) Want to get into The Loop faster? Drive there! Outside of rush hour, you can easily make it in less than a 1/2-hr. from Dupage county.

Great review! Although not as obvious as the BNSF logo on this line, the class I also operates Sounder Commuter Rail in Seattle and the proposed Arrow commuter service in the Redlands near Los Angeles. CP Rail also operates GO Transit in Toronto. I also looked at the route and the only "discouraging" stations along there are Western Ave and Halsted st, while the rest of the stations going west are much nicer. Looking at Google maps, the CTA Pink Line Western Ave station looks nicer, since it's only 8 miles away from the city hub.

Awesome video! I didn't know if you noticed but at 6:55 there is the Burlington Heritage Unit.

I have been a 60 year customer of the Chicago Commuter rail system. I find the gallery cars to have a lot of space and light even when crowded. Which they were pre pandemic. You should definitely take a longer ride next time to Naperville or Aurora. Naperville was the busiest of all Stations other than Chicago pre pandemic. The close in stations like the one you boarded are rarely used. Most people living in those areas use CTA due to much cheaper fares and more frequent service. This is why that particular station is so small, without services and dismal. Also the reason for the steep stairs and elevation of the train cars is Chicago weather. We get a lot of snow here. Currently 18 degrees F and 30 inches of snow on the ground. I am a subscriber and enjoy your reviews. Thanks.

My parents were living on S Claremont off Blue Island Av when I was born (Early 1950s). Claremont still looks clean and tidy there today!! A long walk to that station. The BN & SF Railroads merged in 1995. Odd they would put the name BNSF on those Bilevels since Metra has operated all commuter service before 1995, and Metra (The taxpayer) pays for the passenger equipment, I believe! Bubbly Creek is not far away there--the scene of the worst pollution in city history. International Harvester operated a huge plant nearby at 31st Blvd for many years. Dad used to work there. One of the prison guard towers stands about where the plant entrance on 31st Blvd was. I am sure the thousands of former IH workers would be impressed if they were alive. The plant closed Christmas time 1970. I remember that week well.

Great video...but you should've gotten on at Naperville or Aurora. It would have costed more..but those are much nicer stations.

That may be the single most primitive station on the entire Metra network. You should come back to Chicago and try an actual destination....Brookfield Zoo; Naperville; Evanston Davis Street; Hyde Park 55-57 on the electrified district; Indiana Dunes; wherever.

This one brings back the memories! Thanks for the review!

Commuter trains also run on BNSF trackage between Lakewood, Tacoma, Seattle, and Everett in Washington.

West Ave reminds me of West Baltimore on MARC's Penn Line. The station is low-level (the only one on the line between Baltimore and DC I believe) and like West Ave, most of MARC's trains actually skip it

That was excellent! Subscribed!

Chicagoan here, fixing the infrastructure and updating things haven't been on top of Chicago's list although there have been very minor improvements here and there. It would be nice to have ticket machines installed at Metra stops. There aren't even those at places where the CTA and Metra meet which I find weird, but they're pushing the use of the Ventra card which lets you ride Metra, CTA, and Pace.

I admire and completely trust your point of view and commentary. You have deep knowledge and love of trains. It comes through all of your videos. This channel is so much fun!

Yes, Western is the worst station. The intermediate in-city stations of most of the METRA commuter lines are little used, even during peak hours. They serve areas that used to have industry but are now largely blighted. It is generally just as easy and cheaper to get to that are via L train or bus. The BNSF arrangement is a holdover. The transit agencies RTA and METRA gradually took over commuter operations which until the mid-70s or so were run by Burlington, Milwaukee Road, Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, Illinois Central, Rock Island, Penn, and most especially Chicago North Western. Have riden on those type of cars hundreds of times--don't worry, luggage is usually safe. Commuter rail tends to cater to a less sleazy crowd. You are correct about ticketing--system is archaic. It's still done mostly by hand. Since most stations have neither agents nor vending machines, often the conductor simply collects the fare--cash only. If you make a short trip like you did it's likely to be free.

lol the entrance is a pure joke

The Western Ave stop is NOT representative of a typical Metra depot. You literally picked one of the WORST stations in Metra's system. It's only a few minutes ride to Union. Why did you board there? Do you expect the railroad to maintain the viaduct at 18th street? You did a disservice to those who will judge Chicago's commuter railroad by this eyesore of a station that serves maybe a dozen riders a day. You should have boarded at Stone Ave, Riverside, Western Springs or Hinsdale to see a true representation of a typical Metra depot. If you had ridden end to end, you could have seen the historic depot and roundhouse in Aurora, rich with history.

I used to live in Kenosha, WI and regularly took the Metra to Chicago. Never knew there were bathrooms on the trains 😂

A few minutes delay is nothing in the United States. Only a few minutes is really keeping time, compared to other trains here. I like those BNSF passenger cars.

Interesting video. I enjoyed it! Some states and cities have abysmal rail service, but others are not bad at all. Unlike many other developed nations, the individual US states still hold a lot of power. Local infrastructure, like rail service, can be a reflection of their priorities, but not necessarily the entire nation’s priorities.

Actually, BNSF does operate another passenger service in the Minneapolis area. Quite modern.

The Metra CB&Q heritage unit was parked in the Metra yard.

There are cars for passengers with limited mobility, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is a minimum of 1 per train, sometimes you'll get more though, depending on the length (want to say the longest would have 3-4 ADA cars). The steps fold down and create a lift that is operated by the conductor.

9:21I love the "BNSF" logo, it reminds me of the old French "SNCF" logo on the 1985 RER and old TGV duplex "inox"

Back in the 90's, I rode a Metra train from the suburbs into Chicago. I sat in the upper section, and it seemed so weird to be looking down on the family below. It felt like I was spying on them!! The seating on the DFW commuter trains are comfortable. However, the DART light rail train's seats are not that comfortable for a 30-40 minute ride. I have a sport cushion I take for those longer rides on the light rail.

Great video !!

How strange that even in Chicago that not all of the commuter lines are electrified.

Nice ride the F59 are new to METRA old ex Amtrak Pacific Surfliner replaced by new Siemens SC-44 Chargers which are more fuel efficient and meet new Tier 4 requirements

You picked one of the the least typical, least used station on the line to highlight. Why? Very few people use this stop. Metra primarily serves suburban commuters (especially on this line) not city commuters. People who live around here who want to travel into the Loop would use the CTA Pink line Western Ave. L station a few blocks to the south - less expensive fare, much more frequent service, and a much nicer station than the BNSF platform in this video.

Last time I used that station was in 1958, when it was the Chicago Burlington & Quincy (commonly referred to as the Burlington). We lived on the southwest side of Chicago and took the Western Ave bus (maybe even the street car back then - I don't remember) to that station and then the train out to the western suburbs to visit friends. That station is the last stop on the line before Union Station. There is not much motivation to make such stations "friendly" since almost anyone living in that area would be more likely to use city buses or the subway system to get downtown.