Commentary: Train stations, reflections and the Midwest
Published July 3, 2008 by Lon Matejczyk
By Lon Matejczyk
As I made my annual family pilgrimage back to the old world of Chicago and Wisconsin, I had plenty of time to reflect.
The flooding across the Midwest has turned many farm fields into ponds and lakes. I reflected on the farm houses and wondered what farm life was like. As we rolled mile after mile across the seemingly longest state in the nation (Nebraska), I reflected on a time when life was perhaps easier – without e-mail, cell phones, text messaging and technology, but not necessarily easier from the hard physical labor aspect.
The American flags flying from almost every house across the Midwest gave me a John Cougar feel of our country.
We got into my hometown of Downers Grove, Ill., I couldn’t believe the development. The Illinois research and development corridor runs along Highway 88 through Downers Grove and on into Chicago. Fields where I use to ride mini-bikes are now high rises of glass, concrete and metal company headquarters.
The rehabbing of old homes is making this old enclave and home to a stop on the underground railroad a real commuters’ dream. The homes closer to the train station of the Chicago Metro are holding their value more so than the homes farther away.
Downers Grove has a rural/urban feel. How does that work? The lots are very close, long and thin in most instances, but the abundant mature trees make you feel like you are in the woods.
I know the Colorado state transportation folks are looking at light or commuter rail for the Front Range. I encourage all of us to speed up this quest.
Life around the train station in Downers Grove was happening. Condos are going up, which adds to the density of downtown. The Tivoli theater, which was the first air conditioned theater in the Chicago area, is located next to the train station. Its marquee shines brightly on the bustling train station and adjoining restaurants and shops.
Trains which transformed the West could once again transform Colorado Springs. I reflected as we continued our drive along Lake Michigan and on up into the flooded fields of Wisconsin. How long would it take to get commuter rail into the Springs?
Then I stopped reflecting … I didn’t like the picture. Happy 4th of July.
Filed under CSBJ Daily
Lon, while I was reading your article, I was picturing you and your family on a train, then I came across:
“I reflected as we continued our drive along Lake Michigan …” and realized that you were in a car. Perhaps you will ride the rails next time?
Happy 4th everyone
Lon
I enjoyed your trip across NE. I just returned from Omaha and saw the same things you saw. Green and beautiful.
I am a native Nebraskan - It is beautiful but I don’t want to live there. Try the trip in mid-winter. Desolate.
Thanks tho. Have a good fourth.
I love this daily service of yours. Thanks.
As I read this, Charles Kurault’s voice cued up. Tales from the heartland — the depth of the plight midwesterners are suffering from the floods is surpassed only by their spirit to carry on. Tornados, floods, drought; doesn’t matter. Those farmers and farm-market business people may stumble, but they don’t fall. That attitude of adjustment and assimilation is what we Front Rangers (new and old) must find within ourselves to take the bold steps into the future necessitated by a changing world.
Lon, enjoyed your article..always good to find a publisher who can write well. I also thought you had taken the train, but agree with Rosanne above that you must be driving.
I take the train from our home in San Jose, CA, to our ranch in Lake George every year and it is always a treat. The bad news is that the train stops in Denver (or requires a transfer to a bus). The station is downtown–away from rental cars and usually arrives too late anyway.
It is just silly that Amtrak can’t get a passenger train from Denver to the Springs, or from Albuquerque/Raton for those who travel the southern route.
And while I am complaining…what ever happened to the train that once ran up through the Ute Pass? Don’t “they” know there are people up there?
Enjoy your travels.
SDE
Oh, Rosanne, you silly girl. Lon doesn’t ride trains, he just writes about them. As Stephen points out, you can ride from point A to point B, but you are probably going to need access to personal transportation, i.e. car rented, owned or borrowed, to get to your final destination.
The trains Lon talks about are best for commuter type movements when the train goes where people are going. Cross-country train travel may grow as flying becomes more costly and unpleasant.
By the way, Lon, if you go to Denver you can see development starting to come up around the light rail system. On a snowy or heavy traffic day get off and take the train from Lincoln Avenue into town. It’s a good way to save twenty miles of driving to get downtown. The cost is probably less than driving and parking thses days.
I agree, this is a nice piece! I just returned from Philadelphia and New Jersey where you literally do not need a car to get around. The train runs right through the Philadelphia airport. I can get all the way home to South Jersey on train OR bus along whose stations are those condos and movie theaters and shopping et al.
Please don’t stop reflecting. There just may enough Metro and Frexers to promoted getting it done. Not City Council who dismissed the bus terminal location to be immediately adjacent to the train tracks. I am paraphrasing the mayor who said passenger rail service was not in the future.
Lon:
I enjoyed the reflections on your trip.
I too am a fan of the trains. They work if the schedule is done right and the stations are placed in the proper locales.
This summer, my family is taking the VIA rail again in Canada. Spacious cars and beautiful sites.
Also, as Chicago being the “old country,” I enjoyed a train ride in the real old country years ago on my honeymoon. We rode to the birthplace of your Great Great Grandfather!
Regards,
David Matejczyk (a cousin!).
Thanks all for the feedback. yes, the development that is going on in South Denver is tremendous. Right next to the train platforms. Condos and cranes everywhere. i sure wish i could take a train form Monument. I will have to try Frex…on a day I won’t need a car.
David, what is the connection?