Chicago Union Station needs fixing

[Joel N. Weber II]

I think there are two major track configuration issues that should be addressed before we worry much about passenger flow within Chicago Union Station:

1) Every Amtrak and Metra train should stop somewhere that provides a direct transfer to some point on the El loop, with the possibility of boarding a train to any spur on the El system at that El transfer point. This might be Chicago Union Station if the El were changed, or it might be somewhere else that would require changes to the track configuration used by Amtrak and Metra.

2) Chicago Union Station should be reconfigured to have a plentiful supply of through tracks, so that trains normally don't have to stop at stub end tracks at Chicago Union Station. This would allow all Amtrak services from the south to run through to O'Hare Airport once an adequate train station exists at O'Hare and enough track from Union Station to O'Hare is available. It could also help Metra with running trains through to a station where transfers to the El would be easier. If all Metra routes were going to run through Chicago Union Station, somewhere around 6 island platforms with a total of 12 platform tracks, and six through tracks to the north of the station and 6 through tracks to the south of the station might be about right. (I'm thinking two northbound and two southbound platform tracks for Amtrak, plus double that number for Metra, and assuming that Metra might someday want to run 12-15 minute headways on each branch.) It would probably be desireable to persuade the tenants of about the second floor of the office tower to relocate themselves to make room for a new Metro Lounge, since building those through platforms probably requires obliterating the present Lounge.

 

[Traingeek]

Union Station is always crowded even on Sunday, but I do see your point on it being compact even though I haven't been there. I think if people don't wait for eons for trains (like some people do) that could help. I don't know what could be done to expand it besides take out the Grand Hall and make it public space.

 

[gswager]

Heard a rumor that CUS is talking about putting a skyscraper over it. Is that true?

 

[librarian]

My first journey through CUS was in 1993, not long after the renovation was done. My reaction was that if I were the architect for this, I wouldn't admit it. It needs wider corridors, higher ceilings, larger waiting areas. It seemed like they turned their back on the Great Hall building, all that space basically unused for station activities. Use of that space for events seems more important than for transportation activities.

Also, use for commuter transportation and Amtrak can create a "mess" of people at certain times of the day. When my wife and I arrived at CUS last October on a weekday, I had to rescue my wife from a mass of commuters and get her over to a wall to await the next clear hallway to run for the Metropolitan Lounge. We found it amusing, but the commuters falling over our luggage probably didn't share the amusement. And the fact there is little or no heat or AC on weekends when the office building is closed, who planned that?

I always discuss CUS at length with people I advise on Amtrak travel, and provide them with a diagram, which they appreciate once there.

Otherwise, it is what it is, and I don't anticipate major changes anytime soon.

 

[TimePeace]

Well the Metro Lounge problem is, IMHO, that the desk is too close to the (only) entrance. It is a traffic flow problem and could be solved by reconfiguring the layout of the lounge. Simply put, when only a few people are standing in line to check tickets or whatever, you can't get in or out of the place. Oh, and having the baggage storage closet right next to the doors too - serious bottleneck issues all around. (A particularly disagreeable baggage guy didn't help either).

I experienced this situation both ways on last fall's LSL-CZ trip. It was so bad on my return to BOS that I didn't even bother to go in (well - I couldn't GET in), I just stayed in the regular waiting area sitting on the floor, and as a result missed the early boarding call for sleeper passengers, Oh well. Overall my train riding experience was still great.

David

 

[mercedeslove]

when I was a kid I can recall CUS having those little Tykes slides and stuff to play on. Those blue plastic ones. Course I was more interested in the trains. I also use to dance in the grand hall. I would pretend it was this huge stage and I was a ballerina. The grand hall has always been my favorite part.

 

[MrFSS]

when I was a kid I can recall CUS having those little Tykes slides and stuff to play on. Those blue plastic ones. Course I was more interested in the trains. I also use to dance in the grand hall. I would pretend it was this huge stage and I was a ballerina. The grand hall has always been my favorite part.

I have you beat. I can remember getting off a train at CUS and having to walk past that big old steam engine that was hissing and snorting. As an eight year old that was pretty scary.

 

[the_traveler]

I can remember getting off a train at CUS and having to walk past that big old steam engine that was hissing and snorting. As an eight year old that was pretty scary.

Now it is Tom doing the hissing and snorting! :lol: Now THAT'S scary!

 

[sky12065]

I can remember getting off a train at CUS and having to walk past that big old steam engine that was hissing and snorting. As an eight year old that was pretty scary.

Now it is Tom doing the hissing and snorting! :lol: Now THAT'S scary!

Hey, Tom's not the only hisser or snorter. I too resemble that remark! :unsure:

 

[MrFSS]

I can remember getting off a train at CUS and having to walk past that big old steam engine that was hissing and snorting. As an eight year old that was pretty scary.

Now it is Tom doing the hissing and snorting! :lol: Now THAT'S scary!

Hey, Tom's not the only hisser or snorter. I too resemble that remark! :unsure:

I get no respect!!!

 

[sky12065]

I can remember getting off a train at CUS and having to walk past that big old steam engine that was hissing and snorting. As an eight year old that was pretty scary.

Now it is Tom doing the hissing and snorting! :lol: Now THAT'S scary!

Hey, Tom's not the only hisser or snorter. I too resemble that remark! :unsure:

I get no respect!!!

Don't tell me that you're still feel'n upset because the doctor slapped your mother when you were born?

 

[Green Maned Lion]

You aren't from Chicago are you? Union Station gets a lot of train traffic, and it's not as big as Penn station. So yes it is going to be crowded. Just do basic math and you will see. They can't really expand it much either. The skyscrapers and all kind of get in the way. Personal I don't see anything wrong with it. Then again I live in Chicago and too me it's just part of being in a big city. You deal with crowded places. If I wanted ample space I'd move to boofoo Alabama or something. But if I did that I wouldn't get the choice of many different Amtrak trains to ride when I wanted.
There is a reason we are called the city of big shoulders. Our "crowded" train station proves the bigness of the shoukders.

happy easter all

I would say, in over all layout, the Amtrak/NJTransit section of New York Penn is a lot smaller than Chicago Union Station. If you include the Long Island Rail Road section, they are perhaps comparable in size. PSNY just happens to be so aMAZEing that it looks bigger than it actually is.

Also, you non New Yorkers have never seen PSNY during rush hour. They move all the bums out to allow enough floor space for the flow to move.

 

[GG-1]

when I was a kid I can recall CUS having those little Tykes slides and stuff to play on. Those blue plastic ones. Course I was more interested in the trains. I also use to dance in the grand hall. I would pretend it was this huge stage and I was a ballerina. The grand hall has always been my favorite part.

Aloha

Mercedeslove, you weren't a writer for Chorus Line were you? The next to last line fits.

 

[rile42]

How about opening the bar/restaurant a little earlier that is next to the great hall. It used to have excellent Bloody Mary's but you always have to wait a few hours after arriving on the LSL or CL. A couple of Bloody Mary's and the rest of the problems with CUS go away. :lol:

 

[Sam31452]

In a perfect world, we'd tear down the current skyscraper monstrosity and put this back. Of course, though, this is far from a perfect world ...

If you can put a man on the moon you can tear down a skyscraper (and put an end to AIDS, famine and all wars, but that's another story).

 

[Guest_Longford_*]

CUS is, primarily, a commuter station that sees more than 25,000 people pass through it daily. The Great Hall is almost always open - so complaints to the contrary are making a mountain out of a molehill. Yes, it would be nice if Amtrak would spend tens of millions of $ to renovate it and make it a showplace - but to do so would be a vulgar display of waste of resources needed elsewhere. If you feel uncomfortable in the station just step outside - and enjoy the view and the fresh air.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

i would add a separate HVAC system so the station doesn't have to rely on other businesses.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Heard a rumor that CUS is talking about putting a skyscraper over it. Is that true?

There have been several plans over the years to build a high-rise over the Great Hall portion of the station. Most recently, a developer has received city approval to build condos over the station. The condo structure would be continuance of the existing office building and would, I believe, allow the skylight over the Great Hall to remain. With the current construction slowdown, it will probably be years before these plans are implemented.

The problem with Chicago Union Station began when the headhouse was torn down for the construction of the Gateway Center office complex. It reduced the portion of the station that actually contains access to the tracks to a basement type facility. This was done during the 1960's when the future of intercity passenger travel was bleak and the owner railroads felt they would soon be out of the passenger business.

Since the Great Hall is some distance from the track gates, it would be awkward to use the Great Hall as a passenger gathering spot.

Adding more through tracks would also be difficult since there's no room to expand to the east, given that the station's eastern boundary is the South Branch of the Chicago River.

I believe the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's website contains plans for expanding Union Station that would include additional tracks BELOW the current station. This, of course, would be a big bucks project.

 

[WICT106]

Heard a rumor that CUS is talking about putting a skyscraper over it. Is that true?

There have been several plans over the years to build a high-rise over the Great Hall portion of the station. Most recently, a developer has received city approval to build condos over the station. The condo structure would be continuance of the existing office building and would, I believe, allow the skylight over the Great Hall to remain. With the current construction slowdown, it will probably be years before these plans are implemented.

The problem with Chicago Union Station began when the headhouse was torn down for the construction of the Gateway Center office complex. It reduced the portion of the station that actually contains access to the tracks to a basement type facility. This was done during the 1960's when the future of intercity passenger travel was bleak and the owner railroads felt they would soon be out of the passenger business.

Since the Great Hall is some distance from the track gates, it would be awkward to use the Great Hall as a passenger gathering spot.

Adding more through tracks would also be difficult since there's no room to expand to the east, given that the station's eastern boundary is the South Branch of the Chicago River.

I believe the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's website contains plans for expanding Union Station that would include additional tracks BELOW the current station. This, of course, would be a big bucks project.

While this would be megabucks as well, I am curious to know if there were any plans to build tracks and a concourse on the west side of the station.

 

[Tim in Wisconsin]

CUS is, primarily, a commuter station that sees more than 25,000 people pass through it daily. The Great Hall is almost always open - so complaints to the contrary are making a mountain out of a molehill. Yes, it would be nice if Amtrak would spend tens of millions of $ to renovate it and make it a showplace - but to do so would be a vulgar display of waste of resources needed elsewhere. If you feel uncomfortable in the station just step outside - and enjoy the view and the fresh air.

It is certainly valid to complain even though the Great Hall is "almost always" open. Because access to the Great Hall cannot be guaranteed, all railroad operations must be stuffed into the concourse side along with passenger waiting. The fundamental problem with Union Station is that too much has to be done in such a small space leaving precious little space for waiting and lining up. This is a direct result of the 90s renovation that consolidated operations in the concourse precisely so that the Great Hall could be used for non-railroad purposes (rented, sold, demolished, whatever). The situation is only going to get worse with increased ridership as the Chicago Hub network slowly gets implemented.

The cheapest and easiest way to increase passenger capacity at Chicago Union would be to move Amtrak and Metra ticketing, customer service, car rental, and all other services that do not directly relate to passenger waiting to the copious amount of underused space surrounding and west of the Great Hall. The area currently occupied by those resources could be opened up for additional waiting and queuing, increasing passenger throughput without requiring the purchase of any additional property while still leaving plenty of room around the edges for Metra passengers to access their platforms. Amtrak passengers would still be waiting near the tracks, minimizing their walks to the trains; they'd just have a lot more room to spread out. This is especially necessary in the North Lounge where Empire Builder passengers outnumber seats by about 2 to 1.

I disagree with your assessment that Union Station is primarily a commuter station. There may be more commuter passengers, yes, but they aren't using the station facilities. They're mostly going straight from the street to the tracks. The mean time in the station is several times higher for an Amtrak passenger than a Metra passenger. The station needs to be designed so that Metra passengers can access the platforms, but the station facilities need to cater to Amtrak passengers since they're the ones actually using them. Besides, even Metra passengers would benefit with a much-needed increase in bathroom capacity.

 

[Everydaymatters]

When I worked at 600 W. Jackson in the early 1960's, we often went after work to Union Station and entered on the southwest side of the Great Hall. That entrance is now blocked off and unaccessible. There were a few small shops along the hallway leading from that entrance to the Great Hall.

If you go to the west wall in the Great Hall, on the north side there were large washrooms which could easily accommodate more passengers than that small one in the coach waiting room, where there are sometimes lines going out the restroom door. I suspect that it is now being used for Amtrak crews.

Then go toward the southwest wall of the Great Hall. There's a large, unoccupied room there. It could easily handle the ticket counter.

The Great Hall could easily be transformed into what it should be, what it was designed for and what it was built for - a place for train passengers.

 

[printman2000]

When I worked at 600 W. Jackson in the early 1960's, we often went after work to Union Station and entered on the southwest side of the Great Hall. That entrance is now blocked off and unaccessible. There were a few small shops along the hallway leading from that entrance to the Great Hall.
If you go to the west wall in the Great Hall, on the north side there were large washrooms which could easily accommodate more passengers than that small one in the coach waiting room, where there are sometimes lines going out the restroom door. I suspect that it is now being used for Amtrak crews.

Then go toward the southwest wall of the Great Hall. There's a large, unoccupied room there. It could easily handle the ticket counter.

The Great Hall could easily be transformed into what it should be, what it was designed for and what it was built for - a place for train passengers.

Again, it would need to be air conditioned. Anyone know if it is and just been off when I was there?

 

[MrFSS]

Then go toward the southwest wall of the Great Hall. There's a large, unoccupied room there. It could easily handle the ticket counter.

That room was the temporary Lounge when they were remodeling what is now the lounge. I used it once in 2003, I think it was, and it has its own restrooms, too. About 1/2 the size of the current lounge. It was a long walk to the Empire Builder for boarding.

 

[AlanB]

The cheapest and easiest way to increase passenger capacity at Chicago Union would be to move Amtrak and Metra ticketing, customer service, car rental, and all other services that do not directly relate to passenger waiting to the copious amount of underused space surrounding and west of the Great Hall. The area currently occupied by those resources could be opened up for additional waiting and queuing, increasing passenger throughput without requiring the purchase of any additional property while still leaving plenty of room around the edges for Metra passengers to access their platforms. Amtrak passengers would still be waiting near the tracks, minimizing their walks to the trains; they'd just have a lot more room to spread out. This is especially necessary in the North Lounge where Empire Builder passengers outnumber seats by about 2 to 1.

Tim, if I'm understanding you correctly, the problem with your idea is that it would require closing the cross hall that currently runs between the north and south waiting areas in order to expand the same. That would hamper passenger flows dramatically and render useless, the escalator that leads up to the food court area. It would also make it much harder to reach the stairs and escalators that lead up Canal St.

 

[AlanB]

When I worked at 600 W. Jackson in the early 1960's, we often went after work to Union Station and entered on the southwest side of the Great Hall. That entrance is now blocked off and unaccessible. There were a few small shops along the hallway leading from that entrance to the Great Hall.

Betty, unless I'm misunderstanding here, the southwest entrance is still open to the public, except maybe when there is a function in the Great Hall. I use that entrance all the time to reach Clinton and walk down to the Blue line station.