Waukegan is a railroad station in Waukegan, Illinois, served by Metra's Union Pacific North Line. It is officially located on 95 North Spring Street, is 36.0 miles (57.9 km) away from Ogilvie Transportation Center, the inbound terminus of the Union Pacific North Line,[2] and also serves commuters who travel north to Kenosha, Wisconsin. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Waukegan is in zone 4. As of 2018, Waukegan is the 67th busiest of Metra's 236 non-downtown stations, with an average of 764 weekday boardings.[1]
As of February 16, 2024, Waukegan is served by 46 trains (23 in each direction) on weekdays, by all 26 trains (13 in each direction) on Saturdays, and by all 18 trains (nine in each direction) on Sundays and holidays.
A total of 17 outbound trains terminate at Waukegan, along with 17 inbound trains originating here, on weekdays. On Saturdays, six outbound trains terminate at Waukegan while eight inbound trains originate here. On Sundays, six outbound trains terminate at Waukegan and six inbound trains originate here.
Although Waukegan Station is not the terminus of the Union Pacific North Line, most trains along the line end at Waukegan. The station not only contains storage tracks for Metra trains,[3] but is also located near freight lines for the Union Pacific Railroad as well as the former Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway.[4] There is also a Union Pacific freight yard adjacent to the station and freight trains are often parked and sorted here. In addition, the station serves as a stop for the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Passengers who wish to travel to the Zion Metra station can use Pace's route 571, which provides daily service between the two stations.
Waukegan Station is located very near to downtown Waukegan, home to attractions such as the Genesee Theatre. Located at the bottom of the bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan, the station is immediately downhill from the historic Carnegie Library building. Other historic buildings in the area include the old houses of the Shimer College Historic District, site of that school's campus until 2006. Buses connect the station to attractions further inland, such as Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.
