CHICAGO — Metra’s “Rails, Trails, and Ales” program — a series of Saturday trips on the normally weekday-only Heritage Corridor — will return for a fourth straight year starting Sept. 7, the commuter operator announced Monday.
The trains will operate on six consecutive Saturdays from Sept. 7 to Oct. 12, with three round trips each day, departing Chicago Union Station at 10:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m., and 8 p.m., and leaving Joliet, Ill., at 8 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. The schedule allows those living on the corridor to make Saturday trips to the city, as well as providing opportunities to take advantage of the bike trails, festivals, craft breweries and other attractions in the communites along the route. A full schedule and list of attractions is available as part of this flyer.
“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 areas that aren’t normally served by trains on weekends,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a press release. “Bring your bike and ride a bike path. Check out a weekend festival. Ride a zip line. There are scores of possibilities along the Heritage Corridor Line.”
Riders can take advantage of Metra’s $7 Saturday pass, which offers unlimited rides on that day, as well as the Family Fare, which allows three children ages 11 and under to ride free with a fare-paying adult.
We drove to Lockport, actually, on the way to somewhere else. As for this train, it’s a can’t-lose day trip! For $7.00.
If you get bored in Lockport, a stiff walk to the west will get you to the “lock” on the ship canal, and to the ex-Santa Fe main.