DG 'Rusty' Alderson,
TOAST President
Mostly 1830 -1930
Rusty's
All American
Stories
​
Not an official Metra Site
Gilded Age & Train Historian
Train Railfan
Historical Characters, Lincoln Family,
Frontier Arizona, Early Railroads
TOAST email: GAstorybook@gmail.com
March/April 2025 Edition
​
Track Anxiety at
Geneva Metra Station
T.O.A.S.T.
Newsletter
DG 'Rusty' Alderson, Editor
Geneva Train Alerts
Inbound to Chicago trains sometimes arrive on Platform 2 (south platform)
​
Come early for announcement
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Reduce Track Anxiety
During March 2025, one out of every four trains arrived on Platform 2
They usually arrive on Platform 1 (north platform)
Listen for these track arrival announcements 7 minutes before scheduled train arrival
1. “train arriving in ____ minutes” indicates train will arrive on Platform 1
Note: the announcement will not say “Platform 1”
​
or
2. “train # _____ scheduled to arrive OTC at _____, train will board on Platform 2;
IMMEDIATELY cross tracks at 3rd Street to access Platform 2
Note: train gates descend when train passes Western Ave. (about 1/2 mile west of station)
Limited Shelter Options
Platform 1 Main station open weekdays from 5am to 1pm. Closed on weekends
Platform 1 3rd Street Station Bar & Grill (must make a purchase)
Platform 2 Enclosed shelters on Platform 2 close at 2:45pm
Metra Tracker
If you use Metra tracker, know it does not indicate if the train will arrive on Platform 2.
Being a train enthusiast and Metra rider, I am concerned with
passenger experiences at
Geneva's Metra Station. ​​​​​​
​​
In the fall of 2025, I noticed more inbound trains arriving on Platform 2.
There were no regular announcements over the loudspeaker.
​
I saw people missing trains.
I saw people going under gates.
I learned of many people missing trains.​
​
When passengers continually went under downed gates and when I observed two adults racing freight trains to get from
Platform 1 to Platform 2,
I called Metra.
​
The following sections contain
my observations and
letters to Metra
regarding
safety issues at the
Geneva station
TRACK ANXIETY
at the
Geneva Metra Station
Suggestions
How to reduce
TRACK ANXIETY
Scroll down to Page 2
Table of Contents
Page 1 Background
Page 2 Reduce Track Anxiety
Page 3 Inclement Weather
Page 4 Rusty's Chat
Page 5 Jan 15 Observations and
Letter to Metra
Page 6 Third Rail Construction
Page 7 Wish List
Background
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Since 1853 when the first commuter train left the Geneva station, inbound to Chicago passengers have all most always boarded on Platform 1 (North track).
​
However, in the last 8 months, 25% to 40%
of Chicago bound trains have arrived on Platform 2 (South Track).
This is causing "TRACK ANXIETY".
​
Scroll down for suggestions to reduce Track Anxiety"​​.
Page 1
I have been observing these AFTERNOON inbound to Chicago 1:37, 2:37, 3:37, & 4:37 trains at the Geneva Station since July 2024
(except mid January through mid February)
​
In the fall of 2024, I started seeing more and more inbound trains arriving
on Platform 2
(South Track).
​
Passengers were not aware and announcements were not being made.
​
Inbound trains were slowing down and/or stopping on the South Track to allow passengers waiting on Platform 1
to cross over to Platform 2.
​
However, many passengers missed their trains!​​​​​​​
PAGE 2
Posted February 25, 2025
REDUCE
"TRACK ANXIETY"
​
Listen to announcements
and watch the monitor
for possible track changes!
​​​
Inbound to Chicago
afternoon trains
may arrive on the
Platform 2
SOUTH TRACK
​
**************​
Passengers waiting in cars:
Keep your window cracked
to hear track annoucements.
​
**************
An announcement regarding
track arrival on South Track Platform 2 is usually made
about 7 minutes
before scheduled arrival.
​​
**************
Observations:
​
Passengers arriving at the last minute, expecting to board on
North Track (Platform 1),
have missed their train if the train has triggered the gate crossing and is about to arrive on
South Track (Platform 2).
​
***************
​​​​
Inclement weather options:​
​
Geneva Station Hours
weekdays 5:00am to 1:00pm
closed on weekends
Platform 1
North track
partially open shelter
1 block west of
train station entrance
​
​
3rd Street Station Bar**
Sign on front door
(posted on or about Feb 25)
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Presumably, if you make​
a purchase you can use
their restroom.​
​
Passengers choosing the 3rd St Station option are advised to
go outside 7 minutes before the scheduled arrival to listen for the track arrival announcement.
​
Passengers walking under downed crossing gates have been prevented from boarding trains that have arrived on Platform 2.
********************
Platform 2
​
There are two warming shelters.
As of Feb 25 they are locked
(they were open in December)​​​
Update: as of March 29,
I have observed they are open
sometime before 1pm and lock
at 2:45 pm
Page 3
Page 4
Rusty's Chat
Geneva Metra Train Station
Observations
Posted Monday Feb 24, 2025
The afternoon temperature hovered
around 50 degrees ... the first since last year.
​
SHELTERS CLOSED.Upon arriving at 1:10, I found the two south shelters (platform 2) were locked! A UP employee told me the shelters are scheduled to have a time-lock installed. The south parking lot still had their "closed" sign.
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MONDAY FEB 24 TRAINS
All four afternoon trains (1:37, 2:37, 3:37, and 4:37 arrived on the north track (Platform 1).
​
New Term: TRACK ANXIETY
Several passengers have indicated that they have "track anxiety".
​
Enough passengers have experienced the confusion and know to listen to the announcements. However, there are many passengers who have not taken the train for months and are unaware of the situation.
​
WARMTH & BATHROOM FOR A DRINK?
If a passenger needs the above, the 3rd St Station has a sign suggesting that although they are not a warming station, however, for a purchase, they can get out of the cold (and presumably use the restroom).
Note: Their sign states their are warming stations on Platform 2; however, these are currently closed. ​
​
LA FOX TRACK ANXIETY
One lady from Mill Creek directed her husband to drive to Geneva although she is just minutes away from the La Fox station.
Apparently, "track anxiety" has spread to that station as she was tired of running between the platforms never knowing what inbound track the train would be arriving.
​
Last fall, I visited the La Fox station and I did not see any signage indicating that inbound to Chicago train could board on either platform 1
or platform 2.
​
Safety issue in Aurora Metra Station?
A young lady informed me she prefers the Geneva station over the Aurora station for safety reasons. She feels safer arriving at night and walking to the Geneva parking garage rather than walking to the Aurora parking lot.
Page 5
OBSERVATIONS
GENEVA TRAIN STATION
​
SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW LETTER TO METRA
Posted JANUARY 15, 2025
I frequently spend time around the Geneva Station on weekdays between 1:00 and 5:00.
These are my observations regarding
1. Dangerous conditions for Chicago bound passengers at the Geneva Station.
2. Be prepared to deal with winter and inclement conditions while waiting at Geneva Train Station.
​
Inbound Chicago Metra trains can arrive and load on the South track (Platform 2)
which usually is the Outbound to Elburn track.
This may be due to 3rd rail construction and freight traffic.
This seems to occur most often after 1:00pm.
Until mid December, passenger announcements pertaining to the track change happened infrequently causing passengers to cross tracks sometimes walking under downed gates.
I saw this happening on numerous occasions, including a passenger racing a freight train to get from Platform 1 to Platform 2 (and missing being run over by the freight train by 10 feet)
I again called Metra to alert them to this dangerous situation.
To their credit, Metra now makes regular announcements if the inbound to Chicago arrives and loads on the outbound track (platform 2).
Previously, announcements were sporadic or not at all with Chicago inbound trains arriving on Platform 2 either stopped or slowed down to let passengers on Platform 1 to cross the tracks to get to Platform 2.
This was problematic on occasions when freight trains were passing by the station at the same time.
I personally observed or were informed of over 50 people missing their trains.
Virtually all passenger wishing to ride into Chicago stands on Platform 1.
However, not everyone listens to announcements or sees the announcements on the monitor.
This is especially true to those who are waiting in their car or comes to the station "just in time" to catch their train.
Thus, passengers l can still be seen walking under gates to get from Platform 1 to Platform 2.
​
Re: Dealing with Winter and inclement conditions at the Geneva Train Station:
Shelters are open on both Platforms 1 and 2.
The Metra station is only open on weekdays between 5am and 1pm.
It is closed on weekends.
Notice: Metra Inbound to Chicago
may come in on the "Outbound"
(south) track.
​South Shelters (Platform 2)
are now open (Jan 2025)
​
LETTER TO METRA ASKING FOR HELP
To: Metra Passenger Service Department
Date: January 15, 2025
From: DG 'Rusty' Alderson, Metra Rider and Train Advocate
Contact: cell 224 449-1420 email GAstorybook@gmail.com
Re: Geneva Station
Chicago Bound Passengers
This message is to alert Metra to both a potential danger and a confusing situation for passengers boarding after 1pm on weekdays and/or all day on weekends.
Potential Dangers for Riders on Platform 1
Encountering Arctic Temperatures
Winter temperatures have been and are forecasted to be in the 20’s. These temperatures along with frequent southerly and/or southwesterly winds, exposes passengers standing on Platform 1 to dangerous temperatures.
The shelter on Platform 1 is rarely used due to the distance and location from the main boarding areas. The station closes for the day at 1:00 pm.
Riders find the shelters on Platform 2 to be problematic and thus are not used.
While waiting in the shelter or standing on Platform 2, upon hearing the announcement the Chicago bound train will be arriving on Platform 1, a rider must walk to 3rd Street, cross the tracks, possibly encountering active gates. Often enough freight trains pass the station at the same time as the commuter train is approaching or loading passenger.
Riders are walking around down gates. Those riders who do not walk around down gates, miss their train
On December 5, a rider, attempting to get from Platform 1 to Platform 2, was seen racing a freight train that was approaching the station. The freight engine missed hitting the rider by less than 10 feet!
​​
Passenger Confusion While Waiting for
Chicago In Bound Train
Third track construction is resulting in Chicago bound trains to more frequently load passengers on Platform 2 (south platform).
Frequent and occasional riders are uncertain as to which platform Chicago bound trains will load passengers.
​
There have been no alerts on Metra’s webpage or signs at the station pertaining to this confusing situation.
Until mid December 2024, there were no regular announcements over the loudspeaker or on the platform monitor regarding this confusing situation.
​
As of mid December, after numerous calls to Metra, loudspeaker announcements and postings on the trackside monitors were initiated on a regular basis.
​
WISH LIST
1. Open the Geneva Station from 5am to 8pm
Current hours: 5am to 1pm
Note: When encountering inclement weather, there is no shelter for passengers. Furthermore, passengers have no protection from sun.
2. Post Station hours both on front and back doors to station
Current: No hours are posted on front and back (platform side) doors
3. Provide enclosed warming shelter on Platform 1 (North track) within
20 feet of Station
Current: Warming shelter on Platform is not enclosed and is located
1/2 block from the station and is seldom used.
4. Provide Commuter Alert signage: Inbound to Chicago trains
may come in on either track/platform.
Listen for announcement on track arrival provided 7 minutes before
scheduled arrival.
Current: There is no signage indicating trains may come in on either
track/ platform.
5. Provide signage facing private parking lot …passengers wait in these
cars for train but, in cold and inclement weather have their car windows
rolled up and may not hear any announcement or view the monitor
Current: There is no signage
6. Signage on Platform 1 states “Platform 1”
Current: Signage on Platform 1 only indicates “to Chicago”; it does
not state “Platform 1”
7. Loudspeaker announcements on monitor to say the Platform number the
train will be arriving to load passengers
Current: When announcement is made regarding train arrival, it only
states “Platform 2” and not Platform 1.
8. Open the two warming shelters on Platform 2 (South track) 5:00am to
8:00pm weekdays and weekends.
9. Divide the Geneva Station into two separate rooms Separate station
and waiting room based on configurations at other Metra stations
East Room: waiting area with customer service office, restroom and
benches (not accessible to West Room)
West Room: waiting area with benches (not accessible to East Room)
Page 7