12:39 *$750,000 for a study.* "To investigate and outline steps to make the O'Hare Transfer Station a more comfortable and useful station..." Or, they could just watch the TAA videos. There, saved you $750,000.
But then the people who got that money wouldn't be able to afford to make campaign contributions to the people authorized the study. You just don't know how Democracy works.
This does speak to one of the serious issues surrounding transit in the US, there seem to me to be too many studies and not enough breaking ground, or even dare I say doing. Instead of spending 750,000 grad on a study why not just run the service for a couple of months with pop up temporary infrastructure and see if it works? More of a build it and they will come approach, it's what a lot of railroads and transit companies did between 1830 and 1930 and why not try it sometimes again?
“We have 10 days, we’re gonna market the hell out of it to see if people would use the service” that’s amazing leadership for a commuter railroad. I know metra has problems but that’s how change starts
@@Thom-TRAI'm not confident about CTA improving much(sadly to say), as long as Dorval Carter leads the CTA. I wish they could get someone better to lead them, such as Andy Byford or Randy Clarke(WMATA head).
@@Thom-TRAI wish it was permanent. I live near the North Central Service for almost 15 years myself and it's so stupid how Metra's taking a million years to finally introduce weekend service.
"when the Kennedy expressway allows for convenient, fast travel between downtown and the airport" ah yes, convenient, fast travel...until there's traffic. And "People who live downtown are not the target demographic for this route, Thom. The people from Antioch, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, etc..." ignores the fact many who visit the Windy City are staying downtown, and those tourists and those who live in or around downtown deserve to have a convenient connection to O'Hare as much as those from the northern suburbs do! As you mentioned, just because the Blue Line serves it doesn't mean it shouldn't have another option for transit modes! This "so and so serves it and therefore it's served already" argument that people make is silly when it is more convenient to have more than one transit option, and convenience is key to encouraging people to take transit! Not only is the Metra option to O'Hare cheaper, but it's faster than the Blue Line, if it stops at Western Ave and River Grove as shown here, then people who live near those stations also have access to a convenient connection to O'Hare (or people who ride Pace to River Grove), AND if the service uses BEMUs, then it's a great way to upgrade to a frequent, fast electric service without having to fight for electrification with the freight railroads! As for my favorite airport transit connections: The MTR's Airport Express connects the airport with Tsing Yi, Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon, and not to mention has "in-town check in" and its own free shuttle service connecting Hong Kong and Kowloon stations with hotels! Charles de Gaulle is definitely up there, with Terminal 2 having a station for TGV HSR and RER B (Terminal 1 has a RER B station as well) services, especially great if you're staying at Disneyland Paris as Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy is the next TGV stop southbound! For the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver's SkyTrain had a massive expansion with the Canada Line, connecting Waterfront downtown with YVR Airport and Richmond. It also served the Olympic Village, which revitalized False Creek, and the Richmond Olympic Oval for speed skating! SEPTA's Airport Line opened in 1985 and connects Center City (& through-routed with lines to the north like Warminster and Fox Chase Lines) directly with PHL with four stations at the airport, though Terminal A and Terminal B stations are actually on the same platform! BWI and Newark Liberty are both on the NEC, and they're adding pedestrian access for the latter, improving transit accessibility for underserved Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods with cyclist/pedestrian access, and a new pickup/drop-off point for cars, taxis, and buses! Thus, those living around the airport can not only access EWR but can also catch an Amtrak or NJT train without having to go to Newark Penn! Düsseldorf Airport has the SkyTrain, a suspended monorail that connects Terminal C and Terminal A+B with the long-term parking facility and the long-distance train station (the station has ICE, regional express, Eurostar, and S-Bahn S1 services), and the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn's S11 also stops at the airport at its own Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal station as well. And then there's of course the iconic Shanghai Maglev that connects Pudong International with Longyang Road Metro Station, where transfer to Line 2, Line 7, Line 16 and Line 18 is possible (including Maglev, this became the first five-line interchange in Mainland China in 2021 when a Line 18 extension included it). The Airport Link commuter rail connects Pudong with Shanghai Hongqiao and Hongqiao Airport. In addition, Shanghai East at Pudong is built for both the Airport Link and Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong HSR!
@@Thom-TRA It's just frustrating how long it takes to get anything done. The Borealis has been an incredible success and that took like 10 years of "study" first
Absolutely love that EMD humming sound brings back so many memories from my childhood travels in India, to be precise the locomotive WDP-4 uses the same prime mover
I would say the ZRH Zurich Airport has one of the best connections you can imagine. Normal local and long-distance trains are stopping underneath the airport on 4 tracks with a very packed schedule. Furthermore the airport is also a general transport hub for local buses and trams leading to a lot of different directions all day long and every day.
Thanks for highlighting this Thom! I just have to admit that the livery on that SD70MAC(H) still looks really nice, though you know your transit is quirky when it is using a 6 axle diesel freight train for passenger rail service.
There’s an abandoned platform underneath Block 37 that was supposed to be a station for an O’Hare express but CTA canceled the project despite the station being built. I’d say Metra could incorporate that station for their future O’Hare Express since it’s in the Loop (on top of Union Station).
The only problem is that it's on the other side of the river. Technically, the Heritage Corridor tracks could connect to Midway, but they'd need to make a station there and probably improve that right-of-way. I don't know exactly *how* deep it is, but being below the Red and Blue Line stations makes it clearly *very* deep - and if it's aligned north-south instead of east-west? Screwed.
I would be worried about interlining CTA and Metra services. Currently (at least this is my understanding) the CTA is regulated by FTA because the tracks are separated from railroad tracks, while Metra is regulated by FRA due to the intermingling with other railroad traffic. This, and NJ/NY politics, is why the PATH system doesn't interline with the NYC Subway system, even though there are technically some connecting tracks that could allow this interlining. PATH runs on a short segment of railroad (the NEC I believe) and therefore is regulated by the FRA. The difference between FRA and FTA regulations results in completely incompatible rolling stock and far different requirements for operators. I've tried to "game-out" how to utilize the Block 37 superstation as an actual O'hare express too, and what I've always ended up on was new CTA tracks in existing Metra or other Railroad ROW. Just getting that station open and allowing Blue/Red interlining opens up a world of possibilities, but it won't singlehandedly allow an airport express.
I never knew Metra operated to O’Hare. I never saw signage for it at o’hare nor did it ever show up on navigation apps for me in the past. I remember last time I went to Chicago, which was March of last year, it took me well over an hour from Ohare to Clark/Lake. 😮
When I found out about this I ditched the Blue Line for good. Overall it's usually faster and just feels safer. Even with the movement from the station to the terminal the NCS is the better alternative, now if they could just run it express from Union to O'Hare you'd probably shave off some more time.
I operate 250/pulse often, and the metra branding for its ohare stop is stupid poor, you get a dinky sign at hte north end of the MMF and that points you down the sidewalk of a one way street. the actual station itself is hidden behind the MMF on zimsky which is basicly just south a block from higgins and Manheim. the lack of branding and being hidden behind the MMF makes it pretty hard for promotion, but on the other side inside of the MMF metra has had adds for the NC service for quite some time.(sense december of last year) so its a bit of a mixed bag
When this was first announced I immediately thought of your video! I hope this becomes permanent. Metra had a public survey back in the spring and I remember one of the questions being about thoughts on a metra airport service.
I haven't been on a Metra train in 20 years. Glad to see the rolling stock hasn't changed one bit! 😅 Hearing that bell and seeing the inside of those gallery cars really takes me back! The sound of the voice on the intercoms hasn't changed either. I'm also surprised they're still running diesel locomotives. Never change, Metra 😂
I found this quite an informative video! I knew about the North Central Service DNC specials, but I didn't know about that Metra webpage about ways to improve service to O'Hare. I hope they revive the express service, for that might make travel from the airport to Chicago's downtown easier, as it was for Madam Harris's delegates. Also, the fact you made that suggestion is a funny coincidence! Thanks for the video!
I was thinking about your video when I flew into O’Hare on Christmas Eve to take the CA Zephyr. The Blue Line is good but wish I could have taken the train instead. Taking the Zephyr on Christmas Day was the best! The train ran ahead of schedule since there wasn’t much rail traffic on a holiday. I will do this Metra train next time I’m going to Chicago Update; Dang it! Gone already. This would be better for tourism. Please make it happen!! 🙏
I saw an interview video with a rail planning committee member, they did mention that an improved O’Hare connection, flyover , and connecting the Union lines with transport centers lines with an electrified spur track. Plus a freight track rerouting.
I could see Metra using those Stadler trains they’re gonna be using on the Rock Island Beverly branch as trains for a potential O’Hare Express service. I think that would be really neat. To see those at Union Station would be cool
a covered walkway also would provide a big boost psychologically....people in a strange environment can know easily they're following the right path lugging their luggage. i remember going to midway and the path from the el to the airport was a path through a parking structure, but it was just painted lines. i think i went once and didn't see the lines and thought...am i doing this right? i feel like i'm just wandering in a parking building... only my past memory gave me the faith to keep pushing into it...
Before they built the new multi-modal facility, the Metra station for O’Hare Transfer used to be a bus stop on the shuttle from Economy parking to the old ATS station. I was usually there early morning or late night, so never saw anyone board or get off there, but doubt train schedule allowed many people to use it the option.
I used to work downtown, next to Union, and took Metra a few times to get to the Airport in the past. Back then, the ATS people mover wasn't in operation yet. An extremely old and run down shuttle bus was waiting for Metra passengers (usually just me and sometimes 1 or 2 more people). I never took Metra back to the city. I just couldn't see myself waiting outside, at that tiny train station in the middle of nowhere, with no-one else around, possibly stranded for a long time... It's just a very remote and inconvenient location, compared to CTA which runs every other minute.
I believe thats a wrong approach. I honestly doubt that a hourly service would cut it. That still means being stranded for 1 hr in the worst case scenario. At least the multi modal facility offers some shelter, restrooms and vending machines now. My worry is, they start offering hourly service, but it will not be a success, and they go back to the old schedule. They should be going full in, by introducing a 20 min service with the aforementioned rolling stock, and advertise the hell out of it, instead trying these half measures.
As someone who has flown to Chicago a few times to catch one of the Amtrak routes leaving from Union Station, I would love this service! I always take the blue line and it's fine but this looks great!
I just learned that Metra would be doing this when I saw a railfan’s video when I was wondering why I saw 3-car trains with sd70machs. I like how they did that even though there’s only a couple more days left of those extra O’hare train shuttles. I would’ve liked that.
I love the UPNW which I still call the NorthWestern line. My grandfather drove it for years, but nothing beats Union station, it's stunning, I do get to walk to the UPNW line when I want to go downtown
I was trying to figure out of this was a visble thing for my trip to Chicago in a few weeks because the ubers are crazy (and I cant expense this one) and I lugging a suitcase and a suit on the Blue line. Will have to see if my flights are in line with any of the regular schedule.
Given that Metra has already installed extra tracks along the ex-Soo Line north of the Schiller Park junction, a flyover that brings Metra trains from the ex-Milwaukee Road to the new Metra tracks is all that is really needed to have a regular O'Hare shuttle train.
Well Thom, for me this is just a confirmation of your knowledge. You predicted this and you can earn the credit IMO. Also, this is another excellent inside into US infrastructure I hardly see from other TH-cam-Channels. Thank you for that! And it makes us european transport nerds feel better about ourselves. Looking at airport connections in Frankfurt or London, they are a bit more substantiell..
I'td be great if this service was maintained. I only visit Chicago for conventions etc. that are around Union Station or close enough to it. I usually end up buckling and ubering it, but I have taken the blue line, but it is packed at times. Around Union stations is where most conference goers etc. are going to go. It also kinda fits for the number of football fans who are heading downtown (unless Solider Field goes away as I've heard threats of.). Chicago is a big convention city.
@@Thom-TRA Skyliner is slightly cheaper at ~2500 yen or 16 dollars. Still MUCH more expensive than $3.75. You can't expect the fare to be $3.75 and enjoy the service of Skyliner or NEX.
Of course you did !!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful video, and you really show how well setup this experiment has been. From a personal point of view, I really like the Gallery cars ( as you well know !) and those refurbished SD70MAC locos are truly fabulous, and really are so typically and wonderfully American ! I know many Chicagoans will hope for new and dedicated trains for a full new airport service, but it would be great if METRA would continue this experimental service for a longer period. As for the best airport rail connections, I would say Zurich Flughafen is hard to beat, with its myriad of connecting trains to all parts of Switzerland. Many thanks.
This could really work out in the long run. Chicago could finally have a express service to O'hare and possibly Midway if they can work that too. Thom, you put it out there when you made your last video on the O'Hare Transfer ,at least it existed temporarily. Hopefully, it will be permanent. If only the Block 37 CTA project hadn't fallen through. I'm also glad that Metra is taking a serious look in making this service much more permanent. It'd be a serious game changer!!
Great video. As for airport trains, I love the Canada Line in Vancouver. It has a branch that drops you right at the terminal. And, when you get on at the airport, you are at the end of the line so no major competition with other commuters. Its also frequent. No express service though. But, we can't have everything. It's not that long of a ride to downtown, if that's where you're going.
I like when the airport is at the end of the line, except in cases where there’s still lots of development beyond the airport. Like Chicago. I worked in Elk Grove and had the blue line continued one stop past O’Hare, I could have saved over an hour on my commute.
I'm trying to move back to Chicago, but I don't want to own a car and I fly a lot for work, so having another way to get to O'Hare from the city would be fantastic. As of right now, I'm mainly looking for housing along the blue line, but a quick connection from the loop could really expand my search.
What's now known as O'Hare was once the site of a small German farming community called Orchard Place. This site was selected for a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during WWII. The Douglas Company's contract ended with the war's conclusion, so with the departure of Douglas, the complex took the name Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD! In 1945, Chicago mayor Edward Kelly established a board to choose the site of a new airport to meet future demand. After considering various proposals, the board decided upon the Orchard Field site and acquired most of the federal government property in March 1946. The military retained a small parcel of property on the site and the right to use 25 percent of the airfield's operating capacity for free. Ralph H. Burke devised an airport master plan based on the pioneering idea of what he called "split finger terminals", allowing a terminal building to be attached to "airline wings" (concourses), each providing space for gates and planes. Burke's design also included underground refueling, direct highway access to the front of terminals, and direct rail access from downtown, now all of which are of course utilized at airports worldwide. O'Hare was the site of the world's first jet bridge in 1958, and successfully adapted slip form paving, developed for the nation's then new Interstate highway system, for seamless concrete runways. In 1949, Chicago renamed the facility to honor Edward O'Hare, the US Navy's first flying ace (who single-handedly attacked nine Japanese medium bombers and took down five despite a limited amount of ammunition during a nighttime attack in November 1943 near what's now Kiribati; he and his plane were never seen again after he was taken down) and first naval aviator recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II. The Air Force would use the airport extensively during the Korean War, but the need for O'Hare as a fighter base diminished as commercial flights picked up in the 1960s, and as a result of a 1993 agreement between Chicago and the Dept of Defense, the reserve base was closed on April Fool's Day in 1997.
I didn’t hear about the shuttle until I happened to be checking google and saw a NCS train a train like 1 pm. Since then, I’ve been waiting for this video. For an easy improvement, they could call Alan Fisher. My favorite airport connection is the Marconi Express in Bologna, Italy because it’s a fun monorail pod thing that gives you good views of the city and isn’t that much of a walk to the airport or the platforms of the main train station.
Good points, nice photography by Bear; so in my opinion, Septa's airport connection is probably the best in the country in terms of direct train-to-check in connection but what you point out would be a big improvement for airport connections.
Great Video! I got to ride this train, however it was rattling a lot and quite slow in some areas (especially on the section over CN tracks). The line definitely needs speed upgrades and DMUs or EMUs in addition to what’s being planned if it wants to be competitive with the blue line.
34 minutes into the city ... that's better than from Munich Airport to downtown Munich, in a nation which strongly relies on passenger trains. In case of Munich it's still one of the two commuter rail lines which take almost an hour to connect the airport to the city, stopping at each and every station along their lines and serving both airport travelers and local commuters
I couldn’t agree more with you in improving the connection between the ATS and the Metra line. Many years ago a PRT line was looking like it was to be built between this station and the Rosemont station on the Blue Line. It would’ve made for an interesting ride between Rosemont and the airport just for something different.
@@Thom-TRA honestly I don’t see why not. There are all kinds of transit projects through the history of transit projects and whatnot that I’d like to know about that never happened. The same rail passenger projects and whatnot and railroad projects and whatnot that never got to be. To quote Bobby Kennedy “ I dream of things that never went and wonder why not.”
The other connection needed is from the Skokie Swift line to the Blue Line so people from northern Chicago, Evanston, Wilmette and points along the UP North line can get to O'Hare quickly.
Blue line is ok, I put up with it, but its just a much longer ride after I already rode the South Shore line the whole length... (SBN to ORD by train is a trip I do often) Would love this to be a permanent route.
So I'm actually planning a trip to Chicago next month, and I didn't even realize Metra was an option to get from O'Hare to downtown. I just assumed I'd have to take the Blue Line. Although since I'm arriving on a Saturday it looks like the Blue Line actually is the only option since the regular Metra service doesn't run on weekends.
I was thinking of that video when I saw that Metra opened up regular O'hare shuttles. If only they could turn up more service across this whole line, but this is still a step in the right direction.
at some point there should be a joint metra cta tunenel built conecting at o'hare tranfer. and having syops at every stations replacing the outdate people mover system.
Everyone seems to forget about the other airport in Chicago, which is much closer than O'hare. For Domestic Flights, I always fly from Midway. It is less than a ~30-minute Uber. It also has direct service with the Orange Line.
@@EurobazzTechnically in train symbol terms, passenger trains have the highest priority. However it’s really up to the owner of line to decide who goes first and where.
Regarding dedicated rolling stock for a Metra O'Hare service, Metra received money from the Feds, and have ordered (for 2027 delivery), BEMUs (battery electric multiple units) from Stadler, built off their FLIRT Akku. Supposedly, they will start out on the Metra Rock Island District Beverly Branch, as this channel has already reported. The FLIRT Akuu has a maximum range between charges of about 90 miles, top speed of 99MPH. A Union Station to O'Hare route is the perfect length for BEMUs, considering the 18.7 mile distance (via NCS) between the two stations. It would likely require a dedicated stub end track at O'Hare Transfer, in order to facilitate battery charging. And if Metra does get serious about the airport service, it should have 30 minute headways at a minimum.
Alt route: you could take the blue line to jefferson park and perfectly time your transfer with a UP-NW train which then lets you get to ogilvie in less than 30 minutes (this is difficult but possible)
Taking the NCS train to and from downtown on a daily basis between 2010 and 2020 I saw some changes to the O'Hare transfer during this time. As people mentioned already, there used to be a bus shuttle to pickup those rare brave souls from the very basic train station and bring them over to the people's mover (and even braver and more rare people back to the train). It was a relatively easy and comfortable, albeit somewhat cumbersome solution. That is until that huge garage with the people mover stop inside was built. This IMHO made it a bit less comfortable: one time I actually did use NCS to get to the airport I had a hard time finding my way there due to the lack of signs. I was lucky enough to spot another person with luggage. So I agree on your points in improving the O'Hare transfer station. I don't want to sound ungrateful or wining, I do appreciate having a commuter train between my suburb and the downtown. However I do wish for some improvement for the NCS in general: more frequent schedules, the weekend service, the improvements in tracks (a part of the line runs on a single track) and the electrification. For the cherry on top I wouldn't mind the clear windows (that green tint kills the view for me).
I hate to give SEPTA credit for anything, but the SEPTA airport line is the best commuter rail connection to the airport that I have been on in the United States.
Well done. Please get more people involved. Please push. A grest idea and it's needed. Things do change, I live in Evanston and there was GOOD transportation to Ohare. Then in Oct of 23, PACE started a service called PULSE. EVERY 15 minutes for a 45 min ride (similar to Cab on a good day). Cost $2.50 Greatest idea since Apple pie.
Hey Trains are awesome! I just look it up online about the new Metra Southwest Service flyover to Rock Island Connection to Chicago LaSalle Street Station! Could you please tell about that in the next video?
"O'Harexpress" was the name of the 1980s direct bus service (IIRC, #40) from Jefferson Park to O'Hare before the extension from Jeff Park or Rosemont was finally completed. Nice Flxible bus shot. Reply
I hope it becomes a full time service Better transit helps everyone Also Amtrack to ORD connection will reduce the horribly inefficient short feeder flights
American Airlines canceled a flight on me once. I considered taking the blue line to Union Station to get on the Lake Shore Limited instead of waiting the 24 hours AA told me was the next flight they could get me on. Finding how to do that, however, proved depressingly difficult.
I would be personally happy if there was improved service on the line, as in trains operating outside of the non-rush-hour periods along the line. I live near the line and almost considered taking the train the last time I flew, but there were no afternoon trains connecting from the northern end. Plus there is no weekend service which also impacts the ability to take the train at all. The major improvement would involve the single track stretch of line between Central and Dempster, crossing over the UP-NW line and UP-Milwaukee Subdivision frequented by CPKC. That is the oddest section of single track I am aware of. That bridge carrying both the NCS and UP-Milwaukee Subdivision is still wooden and required the Big Boy #4014 to stop before the bridge to make sure it could bare the weight of the locomotive. If Metra would consider getting some single level coach sets for the Off-Peak trains, it could also improve the line's image. If not just for the NCS, then other off peak trains that don't get enough passengers to warrant the Bi-Levels for high volume.
Best airport train in Canada is YVR's Canada Line station at the airport since it goes directly downtown to Waterfront Station in like 20 minutes with automated rapid transit. It would only be better IF there was an express train that didn't stop along the way and just went from downtown to the airport... Montreal's new REM station at Dorval would probably be better but it doesn't open for at least a year or two...
METROLINK used to have numerous 900 series trains between Los Angeles and Bib Hope/BURBANK (BUR) before the pandemic and before the Burbank Airport Antelope Valley station on San Fernando Boulevard opened and the preexisting Bob Hope Airport station serving Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains, the Coast Starlight, METROLINK trains serving the Ventura County Live and Amtrak Thruway Buses serving the San Joaquin Route trains in Bakersfield oh the Santa Monica Branch which also servers stops at Van Nuys and Westwood -UCLA, which will eventually have a Metro D Line Station, and Santa Monica, whose Amtrak Bus Stop is not marked by the traditional Amtrak or Caltrans issued sign stock, but rather a home made Sabra Monica City Issued sign stock that might not be the Proper sign as indicated in the CA Manual of Unified Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was renamed as Burbank Airport + South and the new station was given the name Burbank Airport - North (which serves trains on the Antelope Valley Line). Aside from the fact that the Antelope Valley Line segment between Los Angeles and Via Princessa has a whopping 30 one way trips, 11 of which operate all the way to Lancaster, which is not too far from the Kern-Los Angeles County Line. On weekends, there are 12 roundtrips to Via Princessa 6 through trains to Lancaster. Between Downtown LA and Bob Hope Airport between Amtrak and METROLINK, there are 19 weekend trains to BUR, of these roundtrips, there are five Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and two METROLINK Ventura Line trains and 12 Antelope Valley Line trains in each direction between LA & Burbank Airport North. During the week there are currently 5 Pacific Surfliner trains serving the original south station and 11 Ventura Line Roundtrips with most services operating to Chatsworth or Moorpark with three through trains to and from Camarillo, Oxnard, and East Ventura (which is perhaps, the most obscure destination on Metrolink).
I rode the blue line from the airport to Clinton on a Saturday this July. No room for luggage, which I only had a shoulder bag, standing room only most of the way. Not really suitable for transport but it was OK.
I’m super excited for metra to open the Chicago to rockford train, finally I can visit my family without using my car. I really think metra has been trying their best to improve lately.
I've always found it weird that they weren't already doing this. I'd love to be able to fly in to O'hare and ride straight in to Union Station. Seems like it'd be much more convenient for my future planned trips than the Blue Line. Really hoping this becomes permanent.
Best airport connection? Of ones I’ve been to, I think PHL, since SEPTA regional rail trains go to several terminals. You can just more or less walk right out of the airport and the train is there. National has really good connection to WMATA Metro yellow line. BWI’s is really good, especially if you’re going Downtown. EWR’s is good because you’re on the NEC and can get Amtrak and NJT right there after you get the monorail to it.
There are so many ppl that have no idea there is an ORD Metra stop. I use to fly more often and just took the blue line, but would have preferred the Metra option sometimes. They need to work on marketing bc your video is the only reason I heard about the station or trial run.
A while back, you were on a Metra branch that was looking at battery hybrid trains - this kind of expansion seems an obvious use case for such units, at least during a speculative trial period. Do you give Bear much prompting upfont, like a shopping list of desirable shots, or do you just roll with whatever he gives you? The team seems to work well \m/
If Amtrak’s Hiawatha/Borealis service could include a stop at Mayfair (where also CTA stops), it would make for an easier method for passengers intending to go to/from O’Hare airport and points along the Hiawatha/Borealis route. Example: fly from Gatwick airport in England to O’Hare, take CTA a short distance to Mayfair, then walk over to the Amtrak boarding zone, then hop on the Borealis train to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
I'd say that if the North Central Service Airport Express becomes permanent, it'll have some tradeoffs compared to the Blue Line. Blue Line Pros: You board in the parking garage that serves Terminals 1-3, so more centrally located for convenient access to check-in and security. Furthermore, you get a one-seat ride that directly takes you into the heart of the Loop, and can make in-system transfers to other lines at Clark/Lake (Loop lines) and Jackson (for the Red Line). It's also very frequent and runs 24 hours a day, with trains leaving every seven to eight minutes (except late nights, when trains run every 30 minutes). Blue Line Cons: The journey is a bit longer and more crowded since you'll be sharing the train with commuters. And getting to the 'L' station from Terminal 5 requires a ride on the ATS back to the Terminals 1-3 core. Metra pros: Somewhat faster, since you only make two intermediate stops between ORD Transfer and Union Station. Metra cons: Not as frequent, and Union Station isn't in the heart of the Loop. Not to mention that to get to the Metra stop, you'll have to ride the ATS out to the rental car facility first. (Though admittedly that does make the Metra stop more accessible for those arriving on international flights since those deplane at terminal 5.)
Because of the fact that all lines go into the city it’s hard to get from the suburbs to O’Hare without a car for example if your from up north like Wilmette and Evanston it is very hard to get O’Hare transit only as you have to go into the loop switch to the one of the O’Hare trains and then you get there, so I think they should add a circle train like a western train or something and it would stop at all western stations starting at Howard and closing in on the Ashland 63rd green line stopping there and the finishing at 63rd
12:39 *$750,000 for a study.* "To investigate and outline steps to make the O'Hare Transfer Station a more comfortable and useful station..." Or, they could just watch the TAA videos. There, saved you $750,000.
I’ll take the $750000 lol
But then the people who got that money wouldn't be able to afford to make campaign contributions to the people authorized the study.
You just don't know how Democracy works.
@@Thom-TRA "And who are you by the way" - any government official in the history of the world
This does speak to one of the serious issues surrounding transit in the US, there seem to me to be too many studies and not enough breaking ground, or even dare I say doing. Instead of spending 750,000 grad on a study why not just run the service for a couple of months with pop up temporary infrastructure and see if it works? More of a build it and they will come approach, it's what a lot of railroads and transit companies did between 1830 and 1930 and why not try it sometimes again?
@@rickyl7231The studies are to assuage the NIMBYs.
“We have 10 days, we’re gonna market the hell out of it to see if people would use the service” that’s amazing leadership for a commuter railroad. I know metra has problems but that’s how change starts
Exactly, I was impressed when I heard it. I wonder if that’s how Mr. Carter feels (spoiler alert, it’s not).
If only Metra could make this permanent...
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Hopefully the outcomes of the study are positive. I’m choosing to be optimistic. Metra has shown more willingness to improve than CTA recently.
I'd really like them to electrify and improve this route to be an express to O'hare...
@@Thom-TRA Dorval Carter moment
@@Thom-TRAI'm not confident about CTA improving much(sadly to say), as long as Dorval Carter leads the CTA. I wish they could get someone better to lead them, such as Andy Byford or Randy Clarke(WMATA head).
Mad lads, he's finally done it!
I really hope they make this permanent but a lot of people don't know about it and I'm worried it won't be
Yeah I really hope so. It all comes down to marketing.
@@Thom-TRAI wish it was permanent. I live near the North Central Service for almost 15 years myself and it's so stupid how Metra's taking a million years to finally introduce weekend service.
As a European, it's always interesting to see what's going on the USA railways. Thank you for the interesting video 😄.
You’re welcome
As a European, I find those huge stations with no overhead lines fascinating. Is that how our stations used to look back in the steam age?
@@firstlast1932 why don’t you go to the UK or Ireland and see for yourself?
@@Thom-TRA We do have too many non-electrified stations around here as well. Just nothing comparable to the size of the stations in the US videos.
"when the Kennedy expressway allows for convenient, fast travel between downtown and the airport" ah yes, convenient, fast travel...until there's traffic. And "People who live downtown are not the target demographic for this route, Thom. The people from Antioch, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, etc..." ignores the fact many who visit the Windy City are staying downtown, and those tourists and those who live in or around downtown deserve to have a convenient connection to O'Hare as much as those from the northern suburbs do! As you mentioned, just because the Blue Line serves it doesn't mean it shouldn't have another option for transit modes! This "so and so serves it and therefore it's served already" argument that people make is silly when it is more convenient to have more than one transit option, and convenience is key to encouraging people to take transit! Not only is the Metra option to O'Hare cheaper, but it's faster than the Blue Line, if it stops at Western Ave and River Grove as shown here, then people who live near those stations also have access to a convenient connection to O'Hare (or people who ride Pace to River Grove), AND if the service uses BEMUs, then it's a great way to upgrade to a frequent, fast electric service without having to fight for electrification with the freight railroads!
As for my favorite airport transit connections: The MTR's Airport Express connects the airport with Tsing Yi, Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon, and not to mention has "in-town check in" and its own free shuttle service connecting Hong Kong and Kowloon stations with hotels! Charles de Gaulle is definitely up there, with Terminal 2 having a station for TGV HSR and RER B (Terminal 1 has a RER B station as well) services, especially great if you're staying at Disneyland Paris as Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy is the next TGV stop southbound! For the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver's SkyTrain had a massive expansion with the Canada Line, connecting Waterfront downtown with YVR Airport and Richmond. It also served the Olympic Village, which revitalized False Creek, and the Richmond Olympic Oval for speed skating! SEPTA's Airport Line opened in 1985 and connects Center City (& through-routed with lines to the north like Warminster and Fox Chase Lines) directly with PHL with four stations at the airport, though Terminal A and Terminal B stations are actually on the same platform! BWI and Newark Liberty are both on the NEC, and they're adding pedestrian access for the latter, improving transit accessibility for underserved Newark and Elizabeth neighborhoods with cyclist/pedestrian access, and a new pickup/drop-off point for cars, taxis, and buses! Thus, those living around the airport can not only access EWR but can also catch an Amtrak or NJT train without having to go to Newark Penn! Düsseldorf Airport has the SkyTrain, a suspended monorail that connects Terminal C and Terminal A+B with the long-term parking facility and the long-distance train station (the station has ICE, regional express, Eurostar, and S-Bahn S1 services), and the Rhine-Ruhr S-Bahn's S11 also stops at the airport at its own Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal station as well. And then there's of course the iconic Shanghai Maglev that connects Pudong International with Longyang Road Metro Station, where transfer to Line 2, Line 7, Line 16 and Line 18 is possible (including Maglev, this became the first five-line interchange in Mainland China in 2021 when a Line 18 extension included it). The Airport Link commuter rail connects Pudong with Shanghai Hongqiao and Hongqiao Airport. In addition, Shanghai East at Pudong is built for both the Airport Link and Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong HSR!
Yesterday someone accused me of using AI to write those “fake” comments! 😂
Now predict a Chicago to Madison Amtrak train! The project that was halted under the last Wisconsin governor.
They are slowly working on it! The city is studying a site for the station
@@Thom-TRA It's just frustrating how long it takes to get anything done. The Borealis has been an incredible success and that took like 10 years of "study" first
Every college town needs Amtrak service.
They need to completely rebuild the Railroad line into Madison
@@Thom-TRA Would this require a new branch line to Madison, or would there be some sort of shuttle to get people to the existing station in Columbus?
Absolutely love that EMD humming sound brings back so many memories from my childhood travels in India, to be precise the locomotive WDP-4 uses the same prime mover
I would say the ZRH Zurich Airport has one of the best connections you can imagine. Normal local and long-distance trains are stopping underneath the airport on 4 tracks with a very packed schedule. Furthermore the airport is also a general transport hub for local buses and trams leading to a lot of different directions all day long and every day.
Thanks for highlighting this Thom! I just have to admit that the livery on that SD70MAC(H) still looks really nice, though you know your transit is quirky when it is using a 6 axle diesel freight train for passenger rail service.
Making a video about the SD70MACHs in a few weeks!
They love their EMD.
There’s an abandoned platform underneath Block 37 that was supposed to be a station for an O’Hare express but CTA canceled the project despite the station being built. I’d say Metra could incorporate that station for their future O’Hare Express since it’s in the Loop (on top of Union Station).
Just have to find a way to connect the metra lines to that station. I’ve always been in favor of a downtown tunnel.
The only problem is that it's on the other side of the river. Technically, the Heritage Corridor tracks could connect to Midway, but they'd need to make a station there and probably improve that right-of-way. I don't know exactly *how* deep it is, but being below the Red and Blue Line stations makes it clearly *very* deep - and if it's aligned north-south instead of east-west? Screwed.
I would be worried about interlining CTA and Metra services. Currently (at least this is my understanding) the CTA is regulated by FTA because the tracks are separated from railroad tracks, while Metra is regulated by FRA due to the intermingling with other railroad traffic. This, and NJ/NY politics, is why the PATH system doesn't interline with the NYC Subway system, even though there are technically some connecting tracks that could allow this interlining. PATH runs on a short segment of railroad (the NEC I believe) and therefore is regulated by the FRA. The difference between FRA and FTA regulations results in completely incompatible rolling stock and far different requirements for operators.
I've tried to "game-out" how to utilize the Block 37 superstation as an actual O'hare express too, and what I've always ended up on was new CTA tracks in existing Metra or other Railroad ROW. Just getting that station open and allowing Blue/Red interlining opens up a world of possibilities, but it won't singlehandedly allow an airport express.
As someone who takes the NCS 3 days a week downtown for work it would be great to have some weekend service as well!
I never knew Metra operated to O’Hare. I never saw signage for it at o’hare nor did it ever show up on navigation apps for me in the past. I remember last time I went to Chicago, which was March of last year, it took me well over an hour from Ohare to Clark/Lake. 😮
They’ve previously done a really bad job marketing it. And remember, it only runs a few times a day. They need to improve that!
When I found out about this I ditched the Blue Line for good. Overall it's usually faster and just feels safer. Even with the movement from the station to the terminal the NCS is the better alternative, now if they could just run it express from Union to O'Hare you'd probably shave off some more time.
I operate 250/pulse often, and the metra branding for its ohare stop is stupid poor, you get a dinky sign at hte north end of the MMF and that points you down the sidewalk of a one way street. the actual station itself is hidden behind the MMF on zimsky which is basicly just south a block from higgins and Manheim. the lack of branding and being hidden behind the MMF makes it pretty hard for promotion, but on the other side inside of the MMF metra has had adds for the NC service for quite some time.(sense december of last year) so its a bit of a mixed bag
When this was first announced I immediately thought of your video! I hope this becomes permanent. Metra had a public survey back in the spring and I remember one of the questions being about thoughts on a metra airport service.
I haven't been on a Metra train in 20 years. Glad to see the rolling stock hasn't changed one bit! 😅 Hearing that bell and seeing the inside of those gallery cars really takes me back! The sound of the voice on the intercoms hasn't changed either. I'm also surprised they're still running diesel locomotives. Never change, Metra 😂
I found this quite an informative video! I knew about the North Central Service DNC specials, but I didn't know about that Metra webpage about ways to improve service to O'Hare. I hope they revive the express service, for that might make travel from the airport to Chicago's downtown easier, as it was for Madam Harris's delegates.
Also, the fact you made that suggestion is a funny coincidence!
Thanks for the video!
I was thinking about your video when I flew into O’Hare on Christmas Eve to take the CA Zephyr. The Blue Line is good but wish I could have taken the train instead. Taking the Zephyr on Christmas Day was the best! The train ran ahead of schedule since there wasn’t much rail traffic on a holiday. I will do this Metra train next time I’m going to Chicago
Update; Dang it! Gone already. This would be better for tourism. Please make it happen!! 🙏
I saw an interview video with a rail planning committee member, they did mention that an improved O’Hare connection, flyover , and connecting the Union lines with transport centers lines with an electrified spur track. Plus a freight track rerouting.
I could see Metra using those Stadler trains they’re gonna be using on the Rock Island Beverly branch as trains for a potential O’Hare Express service. I think that would be really neat. To see those at Union Station would be cool
Yeah multiple people are saying that. It’s not a bad idea!
a covered walkway also would provide a big boost psychologically....people in a strange environment can know easily they're following the right path lugging their luggage. i remember going to midway and the path from the el to the airport was a path through a parking structure, but it was just painted lines. i think i went once and didn't see the lines and thought...am i doing this right? i feel like i'm just wandering in a parking building... only my past memory gave me the faith to keep pushing into it...
Before they built the new multi-modal facility, the Metra station for O’Hare Transfer used to be a bus stop on the shuttle from Economy parking to the old ATS station. I was usually there early morning or late night, so never saw anyone board or get off there, but doubt train schedule allowed many people to use it the option.
Oof, transferring to a bus and then a shuttle? Glad that’s not the case anymore
I used to work downtown, next to Union, and took Metra a few times to get to the Airport in the past. Back then, the ATS people mover wasn't in operation yet. An extremely old and run down shuttle bus was waiting for Metra passengers (usually just me and sometimes 1 or 2 more people).
I never took Metra back to the city. I just couldn't see myself waiting outside, at that tiny train station in the middle of nowhere, with no-one else around, possibly stranded for a long time...
It's just a very remote and inconvenient location, compared to CTA which runs every other minute.
That’s why I propose improving it. It would be a relatively low-investment project with high rewards.
I believe thats a wrong approach. I honestly doubt that a hourly service would cut it. That still means being stranded for 1 hr in the worst case scenario. At least the multi modal facility offers some shelter, restrooms and vending machines now.
My worry is, they start offering hourly service, but it will not be a success, and they go back to the old schedule.
They should be going full in, by introducing a 20 min service with the aforementioned rolling stock, and advertise the hell out of it, instead trying these half measures.
@@loccusloccus5315 nowhere do I ever mention 1 hour frequencies. So I don’t understand how building a better station is “the wrong approach.”
As someone who has flown to Chicago a few times to catch one of the Amtrak routes leaving from Union Station, I would love this service! I always take the blue line and it's fine but this looks great!
Especially since NCS goes into Union. No chance of rain with a roof over your head the whole time, unlike Blue which gives you a four block walk.
I just learned that Metra would be doing this when I saw a railfan’s video when I was wondering why I saw 3-car trains with sd70machs. I like how they did that even though there’s only a couple more days left of those extra O’hare train shuttles. I would’ve liked that.
The approach to Union is also at-grade. They should make it a tunnel, which would also work for thru-running at Union Station
That part of town was designed for horses anyway.
Your brother did a great job with his video capture! 🎉
I love the UPNW which I still call the NorthWestern line. My grandfather drove it for years, but nothing beats Union station, it's stunning, I do get to walk to the UPNW line when I want to go downtown
The UPNW is great! I used to sit trackside sometimes if I had a break from work
I was trying to figure out of this was a visble thing for my trip to Chicago in a few weeks because the ubers are crazy (and I cant expense this one) and I lugging a suitcase and a suit on the Blue line. Will have to see if my flights are in line with any of the regular schedule.
Given that Metra has already installed extra tracks along the ex-Soo Line north of the Schiller Park junction, a flyover that brings Metra trains from the ex-Milwaukee Road to the new Metra tracks is all that is really needed to have a regular O'Hare shuttle train.
love the vid but sad the walk and lack of cover at the station will be a killer in the winter when it 10 below lol
Well Thom, for me this is just a confirmation of your knowledge. You predicted this and you can earn the credit IMO.
Also, this is another excellent inside into US infrastructure I hardly see from other TH-cam-Channels. Thank you for that!
And it makes us european transport nerds feel better about ourselves. Looking at airport connections in Frankfurt or London, they are a bit more substantiell..
You’re always too kind!
Always enjoy watching your videos, there is always something new to learn , thank you
as always, great video! :) kudos to Bear for providing awesome footage to create yet another amazing video!
He’s the best!
I'td be great if this service was maintained. I only visit Chicago for conventions etc. that are around Union Station or close enough to it. I usually end up buckling and ubering it, but I have taken the blue line, but it is packed at times. Around Union stations is where most conference goers etc. are going to go. It also kinda fits for the number of football fans who are heading downtown (unless Solider Field goes away as I've heard threats of.). Chicago is a big convention city.
That green and yellow bus looks like a bus from the 1950's?
It is a heritage bus!
@@Thom-TRA I remember they rode very badly in Detroit.
Narita Express from Narita airport to Tokyo station costs 3000+ yen, which is more than 20 dollars. Good service comes with corresponding price.
Skyliner is cheaper and faster
@@Thom-TRA Skyliner is slightly cheaper at ~2500 yen or 16 dollars. Still MUCH more expensive than $3.75. You can't expect the fare to be $3.75 and enjoy the service of Skyliner or NEX.
Lyon, France's Rhone Express is ~16 euro. There are many examples of good services at good prices.
Of course you did !!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful video, and you really show how well setup this experiment has been. From a personal point of view, I really like the Gallery cars ( as you well know !) and those refurbished SD70MAC locos are truly fabulous, and really are so typically and wonderfully American ! I know many Chicagoans will hope for new and dedicated trains for a full new airport service, but it would be great if METRA would continue this experimental service for a longer period. As for the best airport rail connections, I would say Zurich Flughafen is hard to beat, with its myriad of connecting trains to all parts of Switzerland. Many thanks.
Everyone needs a hype man like Anthony!!
This could really work out in the long run. Chicago could finally have a express service to O'hare and possibly Midway if they can work that too. Thom, you put it out there when you made your last video on the O'Hare Transfer ,at least it existed temporarily. Hopefully, it will be permanent. If only the Block 37 CTA project hadn't fallen through. I'm also glad that Metra is taking a serious look in making this service much more permanent. It'd be a serious game changer!!
I’m impressed that metra is even considering it! And really hoping that something good comes of it
Wow! That's a short line! Great Video! Have you ever taken the R8 Train from Center City to Trenton, New Jersey?
Yes I have!
Great video. As for airport trains, I love the Canada Line in Vancouver. It has a branch that drops you right at the terminal. And, when you get on at the airport, you are at the end of the line so no major competition with other commuters. Its also frequent. No express service though. But, we can't have everything. It's not that long of a ride to downtown, if that's where you're going.
I like when the airport is at the end of the line, except in cases where there’s still lots of development beyond the airport. Like Chicago. I worked in Elk Grove and had the blue line continued one stop past O’Hare, I could have saved over an hour on my commute.
Another informative video with great suggestions for improving the service. Thanks to Bear for the excellent footage.
Thank you very much!
I'm trying to move back to Chicago, but I don't want to own a car and I fly a lot for work, so having another way to get to O'Hare from the city would be fantastic. As of right now, I'm mainly looking for housing along the blue line, but a quick connection from the loop could really expand my search.
I lived in Lincoln park and worked near O’Hare. It wasn’t ideal but it worked.
What's now known as O'Hare was once the site of a small German farming community called Orchard Place. This site was selected for a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during WWII. The Douglas Company's contract ended with the war's conclusion, so with the departure of Douglas, the complex took the name Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD! In 1945, Chicago mayor Edward Kelly established a board to choose the site of a new airport to meet future demand. After considering various proposals, the board decided upon the Orchard Field site and acquired most of the federal government property in March 1946. The military retained a small parcel of property on the site and the right to use 25 percent of the airfield's operating capacity for free. Ralph H. Burke devised an airport master plan based on the pioneering idea of what he called "split finger terminals", allowing a terminal building to be attached to "airline wings" (concourses), each providing space for gates and planes. Burke's design also included underground refueling, direct highway access to the front of terminals, and direct rail access from downtown, now all of which are of course utilized at airports worldwide. O'Hare was the site of the world's first jet bridge in 1958, and successfully adapted slip form paving, developed for the nation's then new Interstate highway system, for seamless concrete runways.
In 1949, Chicago renamed the facility to honor Edward O'Hare, the US Navy's first flying ace (who single-handedly attacked nine Japanese medium bombers and took down five despite a limited amount of ammunition during a nighttime attack in November 1943 near what's now Kiribati; he and his plane were never seen again after he was taken down) and first naval aviator recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II. The Air Force would use the airport extensively during the Korean War, but the need for O'Hare as a fighter base diminished as commercial flights picked up in the 1960s, and as a result of a 1993 agreement between Chicago and the Dept of Defense, the reserve base was closed on April Fool's Day in 1997.
Who knew O’Hare was such a pioneer!
Unrelated, but related. The horns on those SD70MACHs are menacing! Get TF out of the way! LOL, love the channel and love to see RR ops in my hometown!
Heavy freight train horns haha
I didn’t hear about the shuttle until I happened to be checking google and saw a NCS train a train like 1 pm. Since then, I’ve been waiting for this video. For an easy improvement, they could call Alan Fisher. My favorite airport connection is the Marconi Express in Bologna, Italy because it’s a fun monorail pod thing that gives you good views of the city and isn’t that much of a walk to the airport or the platforms of the main train station.
The Marconi express is fun when it runs at least
Best airport connection? Has to be the PDX TriMet tram station. It has seen me through both good and bad times.
Good points, nice photography by Bear; so in my opinion, Septa's airport connection is probably the best in the country in terms of direct train-to-check in connection but what you point out would be a big improvement for airport connections.
St Louis has my favorite
The SEPTA one is very interesting!
The St. Louis connection is nice and close to the terminal
@@Thom-TRA Septa just announced they are restoring service to pre-covid levels next week, including 1/2 hour service to the airport
Great Video! I got to ride this train, however it was rattling a lot and quite slow in some areas (especially on the section over CN tracks). The line definitely needs speed upgrades and DMUs or EMUs in addition to what’s being planned if it wants to be competitive with the blue line.
I think they had shuttles for the DNC, maybe that could be a fix for the winter time, or at least until they can build something permanent
34 minutes into the city ... that's better than from Munich Airport to downtown Munich, in a nation which strongly relies on passenger trains. In case of Munich it's still one of the two commuter rail lines which take almost an hour to connect the airport to the city, stopping at each and every station along their lines and serving both airport travelers and local commuters
Hourly express service Union-O'Hare misses the real need for hourly service to Antioch and northern populations and limited capacity on MDW.
There is no need for hourly service to Antioch.
I couldn’t agree more with you in improving the connection between the ATS and the Metra line. Many years ago a PRT line was looking like it was to be built between this station and the Rosemont station on the Blue Line. It would’ve made for an interesting ride between Rosemont and the airport just for something different.
I’ve thought about making a video about the Rosemont PRT that never was. What do you think, should I do it?
@@Thom-TRA honestly I don’t see why not. There are all kinds of transit projects through the history of transit projects and whatnot that I’d like to know about that never happened. The same rail passenger projects and whatnot and railroad projects and whatnot that never got to be. To quote Bobby Kennedy “ I dream of things that never went and wonder why not.”
The other connection needed is from the Skokie Swift line to the Blue Line so people from northern Chicago, Evanston, Wilmette and points along the UP North line can get to O'Hare quickly.
There is a Pulse “BRT” route now on Dempster street that runs to O’Hare. But a train would of course be better.
Blue line is ok, I put up with it, but its just a much longer ride after I already rode the South Shore line the whole length... (SBN to ORD by train is a trip I do often) Would love this to be a permanent route.
So I'm actually planning a trip to Chicago next month, and I didn't even realize Metra was an option to get from O'Hare to downtown. I just assumed I'd have to take the Blue Line. Although since I'm arriving on a Saturday it looks like the Blue Line actually is the only option since the regular Metra service doesn't run on weekends.
Yep, hooray for commuter-oriented schedules
I can imagine that the dedicated equipment will be some F40’s and some Gallery cars with Metra-ORD branding.
I hope something a little better than that lol
Let’s hope somebody will give Metra a KISS in the next few years. Even if the KISS comes with diesel fumes.
That would be interesting, I don’t think they’ve made a diesel version of a KISS yet
Well that Stadler KISS would probably be Battery Electric
I was thinking of that video when I saw that Metra opened up regular O'hare shuttles. If only they could turn up more service across this whole line, but this is still a step in the right direction.
I rode this service last week. It was a wonderful upgrade from the blue line.
Glad to hear it!
at some point there should be a joint metra cta tunenel built conecting at o'hare tranfer. and having syops at every stations replacing the outdate people mover system.
Everyone seems to forget about the other airport in Chicago, which is much closer than O'hare. For Domestic Flights, I always fly from Midway. It is less than a ~30-minute Uber. It also has direct service with the Orange Line.
Nobody forgets about Midway. Midway has way less flights than O’Hare.
@@Thom-TRA I only fly Southwest, which is why I prefer it. It is also closer to my apartment :)
@@Thom-TRA Right. And none of the major international connections from AA and UA. Midway is great though, for domestic flights.
@@intrepidfox37 I love midway. I lived in Lincoln park and it was more pleasant to get to by far.
Passenger trains must have a priority.
Keep on dreaming.
@@EurobazzTechnically in train symbol terms, passenger trains have the highest priority. However it’s really up to the owner of line to decide who goes first and where.
@@yk.dezire That's why the US system is so fucked up.
@@Eurobazz Yeah, government should have done something about passenger rail before 1971, atp it was kinda late to fix it.
Exactly!
Regarding dedicated rolling stock for a Metra O'Hare service, Metra received money from the Feds, and have ordered (for 2027 delivery), BEMUs (battery electric multiple units) from Stadler, built off their FLIRT Akku. Supposedly, they will start out on the Metra Rock Island District Beverly Branch, as this channel has already reported.
The FLIRT Akuu has a maximum range between charges of about 90 miles, top speed of 99MPH. A Union Station to O'Hare route is the perfect length for BEMUs, considering the 18.7 mile distance (via NCS) between the two stations. It would likely require a dedicated stub end track at O'Hare Transfer, in order to facilitate battery charging.
And if Metra does get serious about the airport service, it should have 30 minute headways at a minimum.
Agreed about the headways. Once an hour is a good start but better should be the goal.
Alt route: you could take the blue line to jefferson park and perfectly time your transfer with a UP-NW train which then lets you get to ogilvie in less than 30 minutes (this is difficult but possible)
So drag your bags up and down the stairs and through the faregates? Would probably take longer too
They always say "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" and you did it! BTW, this should certainly be true in trains.
In that case my bicycle will get a ton of grease! The brakes are quite squeaky
@@Thom-TRA Oh Thom, don't grease the brakes! If you do, your bike won't stop. 😅
@@rikkichunn8856 just the pivot points!
Taking the NCS train to and from downtown on a daily basis between 2010 and 2020 I saw some changes to the O'Hare transfer during this time. As people mentioned already, there used to be a bus shuttle to pickup those rare brave souls from the very basic train station and bring them over to the people's mover (and even braver and more rare people back to the train). It was a relatively easy and comfortable, albeit somewhat cumbersome solution. That is until that huge garage with the people mover stop inside was built. This IMHO made it a bit less comfortable: one time I actually did use NCS to get to the airport I had a hard time finding my way there due to the lack of signs. I was lucky enough to spot another person with luggage. So I agree on your points in improving the O'Hare transfer station.
I don't want to sound ungrateful or wining, I do appreciate having a commuter train between my suburb and the downtown. However I do wish for some improvement for the NCS in general: more frequent schedules, the weekend service, the improvements in tracks (a part of the line runs on a single track) and the electrification. For the cherry on top I wouldn't mind the clear windows (that green tint kills the view for me).
Wishing for a better train is not ungrateful or whining! The NCS is pretty bad, it definitely should be improved!
I hate to give SEPTA credit for anything, but the SEPTA airport line is the best commuter rail connection to the airport that I have been on in the United States.
I wish it ran more frequently though
@@Thom-TRA #metoo
Well done. Please get more people involved. Please push. A grest idea and it's needed. Things do change, I live in Evanston and there was GOOD transportation to Ohare. Then in Oct of 23, PACE started a service called PULSE. EVERY 15 minutes for a 45 min ride (similar to Cab on a good day). Cost $2.50
Greatest idea since Apple pie.
Can you help me with some recommendations on how to push this? I’m not always good at that part.
Great video, had the pleasure of riding this train last week and it was awesome. Hopefully Illinois will be paying you your dues. 😉
Come on JB, where’s my check! 😂
Hey Trains are awesome! I just look it up online about the new Metra Southwest Service flyover to Rock Island Connection to Chicago LaSalle Street Station! Could you please tell about that in the next video?
I’ve talked about it in some older videos!
"O'Harexpress" was the name of the 1980s direct bus service (IIRC, #40) from Jefferson Park to O'Hare before the extension from Jeff Park or Rosemont was finally completed. Nice Flxible bus shot.
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I hope it becomes a full time service
Better transit helps everyone
Also Amtrack to ORD connection will reduce the horribly inefficient short feeder flights
It would be relatively easy to extend the Michigan and Illinois trains to O’Hare. Harder for the Wisconsin trains.
@@Thom-TRA an easy transfer with some kind of fare sharing so you can ride with an amtrak or metra ticket would be a big improvement
It can be done to build an express line between O’hare and Mitchell airport. There are tracks in place and the Hiawatha line is used frequently.
@@Mrcharles. I thought amtrak follows the MD-N route, not NCS
They do cross, but it looks like that would require some new tracks
I’m always blown away by how enormous O’Hare is whenever I see the overhead satellite maps
Same
American Airlines canceled a flight on me once. I considered taking the blue line to Union Station to get on the Lake Shore Limited instead of waiting the 24 hours AA told me was the next flight they could get me on. Finding how to do that, however, proved depressingly difficult.
Yep. And we wonder why people choose to fly.
@@Thom-TRABut Metra is the way to really fly.
I would be personally happy if there was improved service on the line, as in trains operating outside of the non-rush-hour periods along the line. I live near the line and almost considered taking the train the last time I flew, but there were no afternoon trains connecting from the northern end. Plus there is no weekend service which also impacts the ability to take the train at all.
The major improvement would involve the single track stretch of line between Central and Dempster, crossing over the UP-NW line and UP-Milwaukee Subdivision frequented by CPKC. That is the oddest section of single track I am aware of. That bridge carrying both the NCS and UP-Milwaukee Subdivision is still wooden and required the Big Boy #4014 to stop before the bridge to make sure it could bare the weight of the locomotive.
If Metra would consider getting some single level coach sets for the Off-Peak trains, it could also improve the line's image. If not just for the NCS, then other off peak trains that don't get enough passengers to warrant the Bi-Levels for high volume.
Sometimes the age and quality of infrastructure in the big metropolitan areas absolutely astonishes me lol. Wish I could have seen big boy though.
I actually like the blue locomotives for some reason 3:20-3:40. Not sure why some railfans hate them.
Best airport train in Canada is YVR's Canada Line station at the airport since it goes directly downtown to Waterfront Station in like 20 minutes with automated rapid transit. It would only be better IF there was an express train that didn't stop along the way and just went from downtown to the airport... Montreal's new REM station at Dorval would probably be better but it doesn't open for at least a year or two...
Several people have mentioned it! I’ll have to check it out
METROLINK used to have numerous 900 series trains between Los Angeles and Bib Hope/BURBANK (BUR) before the pandemic and before the Burbank Airport Antelope Valley station on San Fernando Boulevard opened and the preexisting Bob Hope Airport station serving Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains, the Coast Starlight, METROLINK trains serving the Ventura County Live and Amtrak Thruway Buses serving the San Joaquin Route trains in Bakersfield oh the Santa Monica Branch which also servers stops at Van Nuys and Westwood -UCLA, which will eventually have a Metro D Line Station, and Santa Monica, whose Amtrak Bus Stop is not marked by the traditional Amtrak or Caltrans issued sign stock, but rather a home made Sabra Monica City Issued sign stock that might not be the Proper sign as indicated in the CA Manual of Unified Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) was renamed as Burbank Airport + South and the new station was given the name Burbank Airport - North (which serves trains on the Antelope Valley Line). Aside from the fact that the Antelope Valley Line segment between Los Angeles and Via Princessa has a whopping 30 one way trips, 11 of which operate all the way to Lancaster, which is not too far from the Kern-Los Angeles County Line. On weekends, there are 12 roundtrips to Via Princessa 6 through trains to Lancaster. Between Downtown LA and Bob Hope Airport between Amtrak and METROLINK, there are 19 weekend trains to BUR, of these roundtrips, there are five Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and two METROLINK Ventura Line trains and 12 Antelope Valley Line trains in each direction between LA & Burbank Airport North.
During the week there are currently 5 Pacific Surfliner trains serving the original south station and 11 Ventura Line Roundtrips with most services operating to Chatsworth or Moorpark with three through trains to and from Camarillo, Oxnard, and East Ventura (which is perhaps, the most obscure destination on Metrolink).
I wish we had seen this before I would believe that a lot of local people would love to express 34 minutes to get into O'Hare that work there.
Unicycle on the Kennedy Expressway is the best mode.
Traffic is so slow you’d be perfectly fine
The main hall at Union Station is called the Great Hall
What this needs is over head wires and a fast, frequent and reliable stadler kiss
Sounds like a good idea!
I rode the blue line from the airport to Clinton on a Saturday this July. No room for luggage, which I only had a shoulder bag, standing room only most of the way. Not really suitable for transport but it was OK.
Exactly how I feel
Hopefully CHIP gets funded so they could also through-run Amtrak trains to O-Hare.
this is really nice actually
airport trains are great
They’re pretty useful!
I’m super excited for metra to open the Chicago to rockford train, finally I can visit my family without using my car. I really think metra has been trying their best to improve lately.
Me too! I can’t wait to ride it
I've always found it weird that they weren't already doing this. I'd love to be able to fly in to O'hare and ride straight in to Union Station. Seems like it'd be much more convenient for my future planned trips than the Blue Line. Really hoping this becomes permanent.
You technically can right now, only certain parts of the morning
Unfortunately that doesn't work well coming from the west coast! Unless I take a red eye - not really my first choice. Oh well. @@Thom-TRA
The best airport connection I have ever experienced is at Zurich Airport. But here in the U.S maybe its the Newark NJ AirTrains?
I've really only ever Experiences with Seattle's Link
Best airport connection? Of ones I’ve been to, I think PHL, since SEPTA regional rail trains go to several terminals. You can just more or less walk right out of the airport and the train is there. National has really good connection to WMATA Metro yellow line. BWI’s is really good, especially if you’re going Downtown. EWR’s is good because you’re on the NEC and can get Amtrak and NJT right there after you get the monorail to it.
The SEPTA one certainly is unique! I wish it was more frequent, I had to Uber one time.
There also NEEDS to be a stop near Fulton Market. Preferably @ Ogden
There are so many ppl that have no idea there is an ORD Metra stop. I use to fly more often and just took the blue line, but would have preferred the Metra option sometimes. They need to work on marketing bc your video is the only reason I heard about the station or trial run.
I guess I should apply for their marketing job lol
A while back, you were on a Metra branch that was looking at battery hybrid trains - this kind of expansion seems an obvious use case for such units, at least during a speculative trial period.
Do you give Bear much prompting upfont, like a shopping list of desirable shots, or do you just roll with whatever he gives you? The team seems to work well \m/
He offered to film this for me! Same with Damen. He’ll ask me to check to make sure I have everything I need
This should be an every day occurrence with 24/7 service
If Amtrak’s Hiawatha/Borealis service could include a stop at Mayfair (where also CTA stops), it would make for an easier method for passengers intending to go to/from O’Hare airport and points along the Hiawatha/Borealis route. Example: fly from Gatwick airport in England to O’Hare, take CTA a short distance to Mayfair, then walk over to the Amtrak boarding zone, then hop on the Borealis train to La Crosse, Wisconsin.
That’s a great idea. It would be nice if they could sell combined tickets.
How do you fly from Gatwick to ORD? There is no direct flight
you deserve a thousand times more subscribers
Thanks! Let’s get to work!
Thom is a magician!
What metra proposes as a future airport connection is similar to Toronto's UP express.
Yes
My closest Airport has Light Rail, Sbahn and Bus acces and will gain Regional and Intercityrail acces in a few years.
I'd say that if the North Central Service Airport Express becomes permanent, it'll have some tradeoffs compared to the Blue Line.
Blue Line Pros: You board in the parking garage that serves Terminals 1-3, so more centrally located for convenient access to check-in and security. Furthermore, you get a one-seat ride that directly takes you into the heart of the Loop, and can make in-system transfers to other lines at Clark/Lake (Loop lines) and Jackson (for the Red Line). It's also very frequent and runs 24 hours a day, with trains leaving every seven to eight minutes (except late nights, when trains run every 30 minutes).
Blue Line Cons: The journey is a bit longer and more crowded since you'll be sharing the train with commuters. And getting to the 'L' station from Terminal 5 requires a ride on the ATS back to the Terminals 1-3 core.
Metra pros: Somewhat faster, since you only make two intermediate stops between ORD Transfer and Union Station.
Metra cons: Not as frequent, and Union Station isn't in the heart of the Loop. Not to mention that to get to the Metra stop, you'll have to ride the ATS out to the rental car facility first. (Though admittedly that does make the Metra stop more accessible for those arriving on international flights since those deplane at terminal 5.)
Because of the fact that all lines go into the city it’s hard to get from the suburbs to O’Hare without a car for example if your from up north like Wilmette and Evanston it is very hard to get O’Hare transit only as you have to go into the loop switch to the one of the O’Hare trains and then you get there, so I think they should add a circle train like a western train or something and it would stop at all western stations starting at Howard and closing in on the Ashland 63rd green line stopping there and the finishing at 63rd
Yeah they really should have built the STAR line when they had the chance