METRA TIPS/PHOTOS
MILWAUKEE DISTRICT - NORTH LINE
Amtrak controls the Chicago Union Station trackage as far west as Western Avenue. Metra owns the entire line between Western Avenue and Rondout and over the branch line west to Fox Lake, but is responsible for operating the line only as far as Tower A-5. CP Rail controls the trackage between Tower A-5 and Fox Lake. At Rondout, all Metra trains diverge west from the main line onto the branch. Rondout is a popular train watching spot, but Metra trains no longer stop there. The single track branch is a nice rustic ride, as the line winds its way through the "Chain of Lakes" area. Along the branch east of Grayslake is Prairie Crossing, where the line crosses the CN/Wisconsin Central line. Metra's new North Central Service trains now stop there on that line, and Milwaukee District trains began stopping there in 2004. The weekend pass makes weekends a good time to travel on this line, considering that the one way fare to Fox Lake is higher during weekdays. CP Rail has a moderate level of freight activity, primarily on the main line north of Tower A-20, near Northbrook. Tower A-20 is the junction with a connecting track from a UP freight line, used by CP freight trains from the Bensenville Yard. Those trains, as well as Amtrak trains from Chicago, continue north of Rondout on the main line towards Milwaukee. West of Fox Lake, some commuter service operated to Walworth, Wisconsin, until 1982, with intercity passenger service beyond to Janesville and Madison until 1971. Although limited passenger service existed briefly in 2000 and 2001, by an Amtrak train to and from Janesville carrying primarily express shipments. This trackage west of Fox Lake is now part of the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, which operates limited freight service, including over the Metra/CP trackage.
Speed Limits:
Chicago-Tower A-5: 60 mph
Tower A-5-Rondout: 79 mph
Rondout-Fox Lake: 60 mph
Scenes along the line.