Anxious, or just methodical? Who can say?
Either way, I always check the Metra schedule when I'm taking the train downtown, even when I'm sure which train I'm taking. Because you never know. There might be developments, complications. Such as the announcement above.
"Out of service"? That can't be good.
My first thought was, "That's a relief, because I'm going downtown." So I'm good.
My second thought was," But what about coming back? Is the entire platform "out of service?' What does that mean, anyway? That the train, coming from downtown, won't stop at Northbrook? Not a huge deal. I can get off at Lake Cook Road and my wife can pick me up. Heck, I once walked back from Lake Cook Road, though it's a hike.
My first thought was, "That's a relief, because I'm going downtown." So I'm good.
My second thought was," But what about coming back? Is the entire platform "out of service?' What does that mean, anyway? That the train, coming from downtown, won't stop at Northbrook? Not a huge deal. I can get off at Lake Cook Road and my wife can pick me up. Heck, I once walked back from Lake Cook Road, though it's a hike.
I thought of calling Metra PR, seeking clarification. But they aren't a font of information either. And they're the organization who penned the above, not realizing that, whenever you write something, you need to think about your audience. What questions they might have. Such as: can I get off the train going outbound at Northbrook?
My plan was, going in, to eyeball the situation. Which became plain as soon as I got there, and was directed — by a fairly clear canned announcement —to Platform 1, the Outbound platform. Not only wasn't it "out of service," but it was the only platform in service. A parade of odd track repair vehicles — truly, a parade, one after the other, tooting their horns as if in celebration — were going up and down the inbound track. The train, needless to say, was late, but I, nothing if not a savvy Metra traveller, had worked in an extra hour to consider just that eventuality.
Bottom line, I got downtown and hosted our boat tour. But I hitched a ride back.
Well, didn't Metra apologize for any inconvenience in advance? Classic CYA.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the Northbrook stop the one where some part of the stop lets you off on the street, not a platform?
ReplyDeleteWe took the train downtown a couple weeks ago under similar conditions. There was a freight train stopped along the inbound tracks and we were directed to the opposite platform (platform 1). We had to hike to the end of the freight train and scramble across the tracks. Others were more adventurous and climbed aboard the freight train to cross at the gap between cars.
ReplyDeleteI'd say you're smart too check the train schedule every time you take it.
ReplyDeleteAnd leaving early in case something goes wrong these are very good habits to be in.
It makes your life and the lives of those your interacting with go so much smoother wish everybody was like that
That's a nice modern station. The station in Lemont was built in 1859.
ReplyDeleteCleveland is very auto-centric. Just one crosstown rapid transit line, between the East Side and the airport, and two LRV lines that terminate in the inner-ring suburb of Shaker Heights. No longer has any commuter rail at all, despite decades of urban and suburban sprawl.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Evanston, both the commuter trains and the CTA's Evanston trains stopped a block away from me, at Main Street. Could see them from my windows. Miss having trains. One of the best things about living in Chicago. Most people elsewhere are not as fortunate.