CHICAGO — Metra’s “Rails, Trails and Ales” excursions on the Heritage Corridor line will return on six fall Saturdays beginning Sept. 9, marking the third straight year for the program offering Saturday rail outings on the normally weekday-only commuter line to Joliet.
Three round trips will operate on each Saturday through Oct. 14, departing from Chicago Union Station at 10:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m. and 8 p.m., and from Joliet at 8 a.m., 1:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. All trains will make all regular intermediate stops. Full schedules are available here, along with information on some of the bike trails, historic site, and dining and brewpub locations along the route.
“Early Autumn is a great time to explore the entire Chicago region and adding this special excursion service is an affordable way for Metra riders to explore some areas that aren’t normally served by trains on weekends,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a press release. “Bring your bike on board and ride a bike path. Check out a weekend festival. Ride a zip line. There are scores of possibilities along the Heritage Corridor Line.”
Metra’s $7 Saturday Day Pass is valid for the excursions, and its Family Fares, which allow three children ages 11 and under to ride free with a fare-paying adult, can be used in conjunction with the day pass.
I like this type of thinking by Metra. I had a great time the last time I went to Lockport. The history was very interesting. Canals before railroads.
An Early Fall activity not to be missed for the enthusiasts.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Charles, Downtown Lockport today is a rejuvenated destination for the entire family. Restaurants with outside dining, two brewpubs and several bars including a biker bar that has the best bloody mary you’ll ever taste. Several historic buildings from the Illinois-Michigan Canal days now house shops to browse or places to dine. Quite a transformation in the last couple of decades.
This sounds good. Lockport is, or at least was (years ago) considered a tourist destination. When we went there once, we decided to skip the town center and instead walk over to the ex-Santa Fe main line and (get this) the “locks” on the ship canal.