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Earlier this month (October) after arriving into CHI on #348, the Illinois Zephyr, I was shocked to see that all the wooden benches had been removed from the Great Room! Why? I am guessing it was done to discourage the homeless from encamping there. Last winter, the whole Great Room was almost completely taken up by those in prone positions who did not appear to be ticketed passengers on Metra or Amtrak.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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If the "Great Hall" (an Amtrakese term: I never heard it used during "railroad days') area of CUS has been rented for an event, the benches will be removed, otherwise they remain in use.
dilly Member # 1427
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Mr. Norman is correct. When I was in Chicago Union Station in mid-September, I spent part of a Sunday afternoon in the Great Hall, sitting on one of the benches and reading the New York Times while waiting to catch the Hiawatha. Several homeless people were there as well, but the cops bothered only those who were sleeping.
When I passed through the Great Hall again two weeks later, the benches had been removed to make room for a by-invitation-only "Wine Event."
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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Thanks dilly and Mr. Norman. I'm glad it was just a temporary removal of the benches. One of the great railroad terminal "sitting areas" in the country. Oh Mr. Norman, I'll be riding by your Milepost 18.34 a few times in early November, while transiting to/from GBB. I am selling a house there in one of my ill-starred real estate ventures. Maybe I can figure out a way to buy a house in Hinsdale, so we can be neighbors. Did you know Mr. Hinsdale was an early director of the C B and Q? One rich guy, even then...
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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RR Bob--
Not too many listings less than "the Ones' in Hinsdale nowadays. Almost, but not quite, same over here in Clarendon Hills; still some in the ".7's" ($700's; whatever. It really isn't "$$$ in the pocket" unless you choose to move to a "low cost' area).
Tanner929 Member # 3720
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Waiting Rooms without benches. The origional NY Pennsylvania Stations famous "Waiting Room" had not benches, old pictures show people sitting on the bases of the huge colums. In Grand Centrals Vanderbilt Room today has no benches. Following the terminals renovation they moved the benches to a secure waiting room like waiting rooms of old san the seperate ladies and gentlemans waiting rooms, and for those in the south white and colored. In GCT the benches in the Vanderbilt Room had become a flop area, today the room is open and used for public and private events. When I was in Chicagos Union Station there where only four benches, the Amtrak waiting area has that Greyhound Amshak feel, why so cramped?
Jack_S Member # 3069
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The Los Angeles Union Station waiting room has big leather (or faux leather) armchair-like seats fastened together in bench-like arrays. What they need is places to sit on many of the train platforms or in the tunnel to the tracks. I use a cane and the walk can be exhausting.
Jack
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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quote:Originally posted by Jack_S: The Los Angeles Union Station waiting room has big leather (or faux leather) armchair-like seats fastened together in bench-like arrays. What they need is places to sit on many of the train platforms or in the tunnel to the tracks. I use a cane and the walk can be exhausting.
Jack
Hi Jack. There is a mobility-impaired seating area at LA Union Station just to the right of the main station train gate area. And from there, a friendly Amtrak red cap will gladly run you up to your train on an electric cart. Just make sure you clearly tell them your train and time.
Jack_S Member # 3069
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quote:Originally posted by Railroad Bob:
quote:Originally posted by Jack_S: The Los Angeles Union Station waiting room has big leather (or faux leather) armchair-like seats fastened together in bench-like arrays. What they need is places to sit on many of the train platforms or in the tunnel to the tracks. I use a cane and the walk can be exhausting.
Jack
Hi Jack. There is a mobility-impaired seating area at LA Union Station just to the right of the main station train gate area. And from there, a friendly Amtrak red cap will gladly run you up to your train on an electric cart. Just make sure you clearly tell them your train and time.
That's fine, but I think the service is for AmTrak passengers only. I use the Metrolink commuter trains more often. Also, if the train is late arriving I may have to stand waiting on the platform. For me, standing still can be more stressful than walking at a moderate pace.
And I would rather be in charge of my own movements anyway. I just need places to sit as I make my way in short spurts.
My usual train watching spot, the Fullerton AmTrak station, has a waiting room close to the tracks, plenty of benches outside, and some low brick walls that can double as seats. I would say that Fullerton has many more outdoor seats than LA Union Station has seats of any kind outside the waiting rooms.
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