How do I know what station I am at? (how much, area)

[Careless]

Originally Posted by Drover

Sometimes the announcement is audible, sometimes it's not. Since the Orange Line is the quietest line in the system, you should be able to hear the announcements just fine. In either case, each car will have this graphic showing the sequence of stops, so you can just follow along from stop to stop.

The orange line is the quietest? Does it have different equipment or construction or something? Never ridden it (purple/red/brown guy).

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Careless

The orange line is the quietest? Does it have different equipment or construction or something? Never ridden it (purple/red/brown guy).

Yes on both counts. First, it has the newest rolling stock. Second, all of the elevated portions outside the Loop are concrete instead of steel bracing, so there's much, much less vibration that makes its way into the cars. And I'd estimate at least 1/3rd of it is grade-level where vibration is even less of an issue.

[Careless]

Interesting, thanks.

[brianjb]

Originally Posted by soulful

brianjb. On the orange line there will be a map inside your train car that clearly shows each of the stops from Midway to Roosevelt. You can monitor your progress and will know when you are 1 or 2 stops away.

Did you decide to take the train instead of a cab?

We checked into the hotel, and unloaded bags. We got here fairly early. Then we went to Midway. Parked at Midway Park Savers (it is $9 a day with coupon found on their website). It is right across street from Midway station. Then we took train in. The parking will save us tons over the week. We can use the savings to do more touristy stuff...lol

Sorry about any typos, I'm doing this on my Palm Pre.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by brianjb

We checked into the hotel, and unloaded bags. We got here fairly early. Then we went to Midway. Parked at Midway Park Savers (it is $9 a day with coupon found on their website). It is right across street from Midway station. Then we took train in. The parking will save us tons over the week. We can use the savings to do more touristy stuff...lol

Sorry about any typos, I'm doing this on my Palm Pre.

Nice find! Enjoy your stay!

[It'sAutomatic]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Yes and yes. Garish signs abound. All insanely lacking in style and details but HUGELY proclaiming the offical name of the station as listed on official maps /scheduled. Dead nuts easy. Automated announcements galore. Most with hideously constructed grammar. "Clyde will be next." "The next stop will be Clyde." uh no -- is it impossible for English to be spoken? An actual "subject / verb / object" sentence would be something like: This train next stops at Clyde Ave Station...

The announcement used on Metra is "The next stop will be Clyde". I don't see why a future and an infinitive can't go together (as in "He will stop the train"... How else can you possibly express that?). Though I think a simple "The next stop IS Clyde" would be the best announcement.

Anyways, it will be very hard to miss your stop if you are even slightly paying attention. I would say that CTA is harder since they have many signs visible all around their stations.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

The announcement used on Metra is "The next stop will be Clyde". I don't see why a future and an infinitive can't go together (as in "He will stop the train"... How else can you possibly express that?). Though I think a simple "The next stop IS Clyde" would be the best announcement.

Anyways, it will be very hard to miss your stop if you are even slightly paying attention. I would say that CTA is harder since they have many signs visible all around their stations.

I hate metra's announcements.

"Belmont is next" and "This is Belmont" are fine enough for me.


Also, Drover, where is the Orange Line at grade level?

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Yes and yes. Garish signs abound. All insanely lacking in style and details but HUGELY proclaiming the offical name of the station as listed on official maps /scheduled. Dead nuts easy. Automated announcements galore. Most with hideously constructed grammar. "Clyde will be next." "The next stop will be Clyde." uh no -- is it impossible for English to be spoken? An actual "subject / verb / object" sentence would be something like: This train next stops at Clyde Ave Station...

Remember when the conductor would announce the stations?! Some were understandable, others were not. Bryn Mawr and Argyle were always interesting-Granville too. Me and the Buds would try to imitate the most unintelligible-especially fun while surfing the Sheridan Rd. turns Ah the silly things of our youth.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

I hate metra's announcements.

"Belmont is next" and "This is Belmont" are fine enough for me.


Also, Drover, where is the Orange Line at grade level?

I never paid enough attention to remember the exact details of where, but a good chunk of it was built on an existing freight right-of-way. In fact the train often runs side-by-side with freight trains, either parked or moving. Also, a lot of it seems to be on an embankment too rather than an elevated concrete platform, though much of the elevated portion is concrete. In any case, net result is a very quiet line. The only time it's kind of noisy is when you get on a car with a wheel that's out of round.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

...where is the Orange Line at grade level?...

The Orange Line is at grade level at Midway.