BLACKHAWK RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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Passenger Guide

Even though the original Joliet Union Station no longer serves as a passenger station, the city is still a major rail passenger hub with frequent commuter and intercity passenger train service.

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The new Joliet Gateway Center is now open for railroad passengers, with an entrance a 90 W. Jefferson Street, at Art Schultz Drive, across from DuPage Medical Group Field.  The new building provides a waiting area, and ticket offices for both Amtrak and Metra.  Signage directs passengers to the appropriate platforms and stairs and elevators provide access to the boarding areas.

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Joliet is Amtrak's second-busiest station in suburban Chicago, with ten trains each day on the Chicago - St. Louis corridor, including:
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  • Lincoln Service 
    8 trains daily between Chicago and St. Louis


  • The Texas Eagle 
    2 trains daily between Chicago and San Antonio with tri-weekly connections to New Orleans and Los Angeles

Unlike other suburban Chicago stations served by the national passenger railroad, Amtrak sells tickets for trips between Joliet and Chicago.  An Amtrak agent is on-duty from early morning to mid-afternoon.  There is no checked baggage service.  Trains load on the platform located north of the new station building, up at track level.  Access to the platform is available through station building, and through an entrance on Clinton Street, north of the depot -- follow posted signs for directions.  Elevators and stairs provide access to the loading platforms.

For complete schedules and more information about Amtrak service, call 1-800-USA-RAIL or go to www.amtrak.com
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East end of Rock Island Platform
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West end of Rock Island Platform
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Amtrak/Heritage Corridor Platform
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Chicago's commuter rail system, Metra, has two lines that terminate at the depot:
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  • The Rock Island District provides frequent weekday service, along with every two-hour service on weekends and holidays to and from Chicago's La Salle Street Station.  Rock Island District trains use a new platform east of the new station building, running between Mayor Art Schultz Drive and Eastern Avenue.  Elevators are available in the station and on the far east end of the platform.

  • The Heritage Corridor runs weekday-only rush hour service with three trains to Chicago's Union Station in the morning, a mid-afternoon trip to Joliet, and three trains returning in the evening.  Heritage Corridor trains use the Amtrak platform described above.

​Metra's ticket office is in the new station building on street level between the Rock Island and Heritage Corridor platforms.  A ticket agent is there from early morning to midday.
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There is an extra fee if you buy tickets on the train when the agent is on duty.  


For more information about Metra service and schedules, call (312) 836-7000 or go to www.metrarail.com

Back to Joliet Main Page

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Pace, the suburban bus system serves downtown Joliet with several routes from around the city and other nearby suburbs including routes 501, 504, 505, 507, 508, 509, 832 and 834, that now use the new Joliet Gateway Center.  See the Pace website for routes and schedules.
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​Contents © 2025 Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc. - an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.   Photos and images on this site without credit belong to Blackhawk Railway Historical Society or the Public Domain.  Credited photos and images are the property of their owner.  The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.

Contact Us

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Join or Renew
    • Meetings
    • Indiana Swap Meet
    • "Spike and Tie" Newsletter
    • 50th Anniversary Gallery
  • Schedule
  • Projects
    • Museums
    • Depots >
      • Symerton
      • Lockport
      • Joliet >
        • History
        • Passenger
        • Railfan
        • UD Tower
    • Community
    • Publications and Documents >
      • EJ&E Documents
    • Equipment
    • Chicago Railroad History Month
    • The Railroads of Will County >
      • Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
      • Chicago & Alton
      • Chicago & Eastern Illinois
      • Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
      • Elgin, Joliet & Eastern
      • Illinois Central
      • Michigan Central
      • The Milwaukee Road (CM&G/CTH&SE)
      • Wabash
      • Shortlines and Industrials
      • Proposed Railroads
      • Interurban Railroads
  • Connections
    • Partners
    • Local Railroad Attractions
    • Local Museums and Tourist Railroads
    • Steam Locomotives (Operating or Being Restored)
    • Today's Railroads
    • Area Santa Trains
  • Store
  • Contact Us
    • Send A Message
    • Facebook
    • YouTube