Best way to get to DMC MW from Midway?

[DaraSue]

So, assuming all goes according to plan, I'll be picking up my new ride in Chicago next week. Has anybody flown into MDW and gotten to DMCMW for less than a 2-3 hour train ride or a $200 one-way car rental? I tried to find a shuttle service but the ones advertised on the airport website don't seem to offer Crystal Lake as a destination. Has anybody taken a taxi or Uber up there and not paid an arm and a leg? Is there another option I'm missing?

(Oh yeah, and I'll be getting there right around rush hour so I'm considering the possibility that the train might actually be faster than driving.)

[iflights]

So, assuming all goes according to plan, I'll be picking up my new ride in Chicago next week. Has anybody flown into MDW and gotten to DMCMW for less than a 2-3 hour train ride or a $200 one-way car rental? I tried to find a shuttle service but the ones advertised on the airport website don't seem to offer Crystal Lake as a destination. Has anybody taken a taxi or Uber up there and not paid an arm and a leg? Is there another option I'm missing?

(Oh yeah, and I'll be getting there right around rush hour so I'm considering the possibility that the train might actually be faster than driving.)

The Metra train from Chicago downtown Ogilvie Station was a straight-forward, cheap ($8.50), and stress free trip for me. But Midway is not downtown. O'Hare is and would recommend considering it if possible.

[Rich W]

The Metra train from Chicago downtown Ogilvie Station was a straight-forward, cheap ($8.50), and stress free trip for me. But Midway is not downtown. O'Hare is and would recommend considering it if possible.

Depending upon how comfortable you are navigating a big city like Chicago, the Orange Line "L" Train will take you right from Midway to downtown Chicago train stations
with at least two options (Quincy stop is Union Station and all Amtraks) or (Washington/Wells stop is closest to Ogilvie Transportation Center, with a few blocks to walk).

I think the current "full fare rate" is $2.25

Note: O'Hare is not "downtown" and requires taking the Blue Line "L" Train or taxi or your choice to get downtown or to another train station. Crystal Lake is West of O'Hare.
Downtown Chicago is East of O'Hare.

[dodint]

Crystal Lake *looks* close to Chicago on the map, but really it's not. I drove from Millenium Park in north Chicago to Crystal Lake in April and it took forever. No surprise you won't find a shuttle for that as Midway is even farther way than Millenium Park.

Doing a quick search on GMaps you could take the Orange Line from Midway to Clark/Lake, then the Blue Line to Irving Park, and then a bus from Irving Park right up 14 into Crystal Lake. I'm sure Mike would be able to get you at the bus station from that point. Total transit time is 2:15 or so, not sure how much layover at each stop.

https://goo.gl/maps/ooPZAczLt5S2

That's what I would do. Renting a car one way would probaby feel like overkill and I'm sure a taxi would cost double that.

[Jonathan]

+1 on downtown (Ogilvie) to Crystal Lake (or vice versa) on the train. I took that each way when there last summer for the open house and it was easy (and cheap!). The Crystal Lake stop was walking distance to the hotel and I'd think it would be less than a $10 taxi ride to the Midwest shop. It's pretty much right around the corner from the Wal-Mart so shouldn't be hard to find.

[DMCMW Dave]

If you can get to the Crystal Lake (Pingree Rd) Metra station, we can pick you up depending on time. If you get in late, it's a 5 minute walk from the train to Country Inn Suites or Comfort Inn. We could drop you there too, just call and coordinate. We are VERY close to the station and the shop.

I agree with Rich W on getting downtown and then getting on the Metra Northwest line, just be careful about the schedules as the Metra trains only run once an hour at night. That will be by far the cheapest option.

Unfortunately Chicago has apparently banned Uber/Lyft from picking up at airports, and you really don't want to walk far from Midway by yourself.

Don't take a bus to Crystal Lake, I've never heard of that option, I don't even know where they would drop you.

[dodint]

Don't take a bus to Crystal Lake, I've never heard of that option, I don't even know where they would drop you.

I read the GMaps icon wrong, the 'bus' I was referring to is the Metra train you were talking about.

Here in the middle of nowhere WI a lot of the near-distance public transport is bus to rail changeovers, so I made an assumption and didn't think anything of it.

My mistake.

[DaraSue]

Thanks, guys. The train it is. Hope I don't get stabbed on the way downtown, lol. Fortunately the TSA allows tools up to 7" in carryon so I'll be sure to keep a couple screwdrivers where I can get at them fast... :deviltail:

[content22207_2]

You get shot in Chicago, not stabbed.

CTA Clinton station is on the backside of Metra's Ogilvie station -- you have to walk a couple of blocks around the station platforms to the frontside entrance. Get off Metra at the Pingree Road station, not Crystal Lake. You can see the motels across an undeveloped field, but again need to walk around it (there's a sidewalk along Pingree Road).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[SamHill]

You get shot in Chicago, not stabbed.



90.7% of the time!

http://heyjackass.com/2016-cause-of-death/

(This is not a political post.)

[Rich W]

You get shot in Chicago, not stabbed.

CTA Clinton station is on the backside of Metra's Ogilvie station -- you have to walk a couple of blocks around the station platforms to the frontside entrance. Get off Metra at the Pingree Road station, not Crystal Lake. You can see the motels across an undeveloped field, but again need to walk around it (there's a sidewalk along Pingree Road).

Bill Robertson
#5939

Please disregard Bill's first two sentences. There appears to be some lingering discussions of O'Hare vs. Midway, which may be causing confusion with recommendations regarding directions.

DaraSue said she wants to get from Midway Airport to DMC Midwest Shop. As I mentioned before and confirmed by Dave Swingle, take the Orange Line to the Washington/Wells stop, which is
the closest to the Ogilvie Station. Then take the Metra Northwest line to the Pingree Road Metra Station. This is by far the easiest and least expensive way to get there, especially at rush hour.

Note: With the alternate discussions of O'Hare, Bill may have been referring to the CTA Clinton Station (which is serviced by the Blue Line). The Orange Line does not access the Clinton Station.

45443

[content22207_2]

Well....

Technically the Clinton station is closer to Ogilvie's front entrance by a couple of blocks (and you don't have to cross a river), but I'm not about to go to the mat over it. If you want to get off at Washington Wells, knock yourself out.

CTA doesn't charge anything extra to change lines, and the Pink Line will get you to Clinton just as well as the Blue Line (both Pink and Orange Lines go around the loop -- you can change trains at any number of stations).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Rich W]

Well....

Technically the Clinton station is closer to Ogilvie's front entrance by a couple of blocks (and you don't have to cross a river), but I'm not about to go to the mat over it. If you want to get off at Washington Wells, knock yourself out.

CTA doesn't charge anything extra to change lines, and the Pink Line will get you to Clinton just as well as the Blue Line (both Pink and Orange Lines go around the loop -- you can change trains at any number of stations).

Bill Robertson
#5939

Unless Bill knows the possible actual steps saved by using the Front Entrance to the Ogilvie Station vs. using the other side entrances, I think Bill is getting way too side-tracked (pun intended).
And unless Bill plans to swim across the river (or maybe he has a fear of bridges?), I do not see "having to cross a river" as too much of a big deal. Just trying to keep the directions easy here.

So here are two options, based on information supplied:

You could take the Orange Line to the Washington/Wells stop and walk about 3 blocks to the Ogilvie Station (side entrance on Canal).

or

You could take the Orange Line to the "Loop", transfer trains to either the Pink Line or the Green Line (make sure you get the correct train heading West), wait for the correct train (at rush hour),
get on and stay on the Pink or Green Line for a few blocks (depending upon where you transferred), then exit at the Clinton Station and walk about 2 blocks to the Ogilvie Station (front entrance),
which is on Washington or walk a few more steps to enter one of the side entrances on Clinton or Canal. If you happened to transfer to the Blue Line, you will need to make sure to stop at the
other Clinton Station (South of Ogilvie Station), which would end up being another several blocks to walk.

Feel free to choose whatever option you feel is best.

[content22207_2]

As stated, I have no intention of going to the mat, but before the Great CTA Station Controversy of 2016 progresses too much further everyone needs to acknowledge the elephant in the room: Chicago has no equivalent of Grand Central or Penn Stations -- ie: there is no way to transfer from one rail system to another without going outside and physically walking from one facility to another. Official Chicago transportation maps even include pictographs of people walking around. New York may not be perfect, but it definitely has Chicago beat on that score.

No matter what itinerary Dara Sue ultimately chooses, it will include walking on city streets between disconnected rail facilities.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[dodint]

She can take an Uber. ;)

[DMCMW Dave]

She can take an Uber. ;)

City of Chicago is in cahoots with the cab companies and won't allow Uber pickups at the two airports.

[DaraSue]

The burning question: how likely am I to be murdered (by whatever means) for my (Pentium II freebie) duffel bag full of Harbor Freight tools on the way from whichever station to OTC?

[dodint]

City of Chicago is in cahoots with the cab companies and won't allow Uber pickups at the two airports.

Yup.

Twas a joke.

[DMCMW Dave]

The burning question: how likely am I to be murdered (by whatever means) for my (Pentium II freebie) duffel bag full of Harbor Freight tools on the way from whichever station to OTC?

Harbor freight is about a mile from the shop. Get the car first. Not much danger at all in Crystal Lake, but kind of out of the way to go to HF first.

[content22207_2]

Post #8 -- Harbor Freight tools are already packed as the first line of defense.

Not much use for actually fixing a car (Made in China), so Dara Sue may as well get some use out of them as shivs.

Bill Robertson
#5939

[DaraSue]

Yeah, I threw everything I thought I might need that was small enough not to get confiscated in my carry-on. If it seems like I might need any tools bigger than 7"* I'll buy them there. I was planning on stopping at Wal-Mart for fluids and water and they've got jacks and wrenches there too, although IDK if they're of better or worse quality than HF.

*Get your minds out of the gutter :tongue_stick:

[DMCMW Dave]

.. I was planning on stopping at Wal-Mart for fluids and water and they've got jacks and wrenches there too, although IDK if they're of better or worse quality than HF.]

You can see the WalMart from the front door of the shop.

[refugeefromcalif]

You can see the WalMart from the front door of the shop.

I'm sorry but I have to comment on this. :smile:

Isn't it possible to see a WalMart from Any place in the USA?

(I'll get off here now)...

George

[DMCVegas]

*Get your minds out of the gutter :tongue_stick:

Can't speak for everyone else, but my immediate thought was Breaker Bar.

Although a floor jack handle also works very nicely to tension the alternator for the water pump belt.

[DaraSue]

Can't speak for everyone else, but my immediate thought was Breaker Bar.

Although a floor jack handle also works very nicely to tension the alternator for the water pump belt.

Heh, all shenanigans aside, if I'm having the belts tightened at DMCMW, they shouldn't come loose again on the drive home, right? Or is that a thing that happens? :eek5:

[DMCVegas]

Heh, all shenanigans aside, if I'm having the belts tightened at DMCMW, they shouldn't come loose again on the drive home, right? Or is that a thing that happens? :eek5:

Nah, you should be fine. Especially since the belts are new. The only reason I myself have ever had that happen was because of a damaged alternator where fan blades were bent. As those blades on the alternator spin, they tend to flex out. Which is perfectly normal. But since mine were bent by a previous inept mechanic, they'd flex too far and started chewing the belt anytime the engine went above 4,800 RPMs.

I seem to be the only person who has ever had that problem, so I wouldn't worry if I were you.

[DaraSue]

Nah, you should be fine. Especially since the belts are new. The only reason I myself have ever had that happen was because of a damaged alternator where fan blades were bent. As those blades on the alternator spin, they tend to flex out. Which is perfectly normal. But since mine were bent by a previous inept mechanic, they'd flex too far and started chewing the belt anytime the engine went above 4,800 RPMs.

I seem to be the only person who has ever had that problem, so I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Oh, good (well, for me, not necessarily for you. Previous Owner Syndrome, eh?) I'm trying to prepare for any contingency but obvs I'd vastly prefer it if I weren't trying to make any major-ish repairs by the side of the freeway...

[DaraSue]

You can see the WalMart from the front door of the shop.

Arrgh, if I'd been thinking, I would have just ordered everything for store pickup from that one and saved myself some luggage space. :banghead:

My shopping list, compiled from various road trip/emergency kit threads (checked ones are stuff I already have or am getting from DMCMW)

455654556645567

I just noticed I have tiedown straps and gas can on there twice. Not sure what the guy who said he carries a can of Coke uses it for... battery corrosion?

The alternator and fuel pump are new so I probably won't bother with those. I've got the wiring diagram saved to my tablet but maybe I'll print one out at Kinkos, too. I also added a breaker bar at DMCVegas's suggestion. Anything else I'm missing? (If anybody can actually read my writing, lol...)

[content22207_2]

Not sure what the guy who said he carries a can of Coke uses it for... battery corrosion?

Only applies to carb conversions (with K-Jet it won't do you a bit of good):

45585

(In case of fuel pump failure allows you to manually fill the carb and drive to a safe haven).

Bill Robertson
#5939

[Citizen]

Anything else I'm missing? (If anybody can actually read my writing, lol...)

I'd say, don't forget a backup battery pack for your smart phone. Or, make sure you have one of those US style cigarette lighter adapters for USB cables (usually what you need to charge a phone from the car). I think you can get them from DMC itself.

And it goes without saying, if you get in a jam and have a smart phone with you, with a data plan, you can jump on the internet, connect right here on DMCTalk, and ask for guidance or help. Put "EMERGENCY" in the tile box.

Best of luck to you. We'll be watching.

Thomas

...

[DaraSue]

Only applies to carb conversions (with K-Jet it won't do you a bit of good):

45585

(In case of fuel pump failure allows you to manually fill the carb and drive to a safe haven).


Ah, another mystery solved. I'll keep that in mind for my CRX :)


I'd say, don't forget a backup battery pack for your smart phone. Or, make sure you have one of those US style cigarette lighter adapters for USB cables (usually what you need to charge a phone from the car). I think you can get them from DMC itself.

And it goes without saying, if you get in a jam and have a smart phone with you, with a data plan, you can jump on the internet, connect right here on DMCTalk, and ask for guidance or help. Put "EMERGENCY" in the tile box.

Best of luck to you. We'll be watching.


Got one! I threw it in my suitcase now while I'm thinking about it. Expect a report from every rest stop with wifi/3G service :)