First off the Station doesn't have a functional passenger platform any more and as far as I could tell it's a shell of its former glory because there is a metal fence on the platform blocking you from getting on a train but I was not getting on any train so that's ok, I'm here for photography/videos. My purpose for today's visit was my nerdy train porn and it did not disappoint because it was full of action with 20 trains in four hours, what an hot spot of action. I mostly do food reviews but I'm going to leave a review for the Joliet union station for the rail fans who might look at Yelp for some info on this place which is probably very slim. For you rail fans this place has such a great variety of rail action with UP, BNSF, AMTRAK, METRA and NS trains flowing through the diamonds. The tracks go from N, S, E, and W with access to three passenger platforms out of the four coroners so there is plenty of access for the rail fan. AMTRAK, METRA and UNOIN STATION have the three coroners covered which is awesome for the rail fan. The bottom line is if your a rail fan and you want a photo/video shoot with lots of open access with out trespassing than this is a very cool place and worth the drive. read more

See all

The trains as it is are clean and organized, yet the station itself was not what I expected. Since I was visiting the area for the first time, it was a challenge to find where exactly Union Station was located. I had to go to the police station and ask for definitive information on the address, since GPS wasn't picking it up. Upon arrival, I noticed that there were hardly any signs at all for the location itself. I figured out where to park, since the parking lot is directly across the street. When it came to receiving ticket information, the signs on the inside of the building were equally confusing. The employees within the station were busy at the time, so I wound up asking some of the locals about train schedules, etc. Would I return to this station? More than likely. Is it convenient to get to? I suppose. Its okay to me, yet could use improvement. read more

Worst train service I've ever dealt with. 10 hours to do something that should take 5 1/2 hours. Absolutely a joke to the transportation industry read more

This is for the NEW Joliet station not the old one which is now a restaurant/pub. The new location is called the Gateway Center and is for those taking the Metra train as well as Amtrak. I took Amtrak from St. Louis to Joliet a few years ago when construction was going on. The temporary platform they had set up was quite daunting with an almost 90 degree incline. Was it really 90 degrees? It felt that way climbing down the steps with my bag in hand. No worries now, it's much better, the steps and elevator are much easier to deal with. Inside the building there are nice spots to sit with windows facing the parking lot as well as a drop off and pick up location. You still have to go UP to the platform to get on the train and I can't figure out why they didn't make it where you were inside the whole time like Union Station in Chicago. It's cold here people! Lots of seniors use the Amtrak, so I'm not sure who got involved in the design. I haven't used the Metra train from/to this location, just Amtrak and everything worked as it should. I just can't get over the dumb design of having to be upstairs and outside to board/disembark the train. Maybe the architect was from a hot place with lots of young people who traveled light. read more

Well well well, I havent been here in at least a year or two but its the same disorganization as b4, not surprised as its a Walsh project and they always take their time to finish. Wonder if it will ever get done? If you want to print tickets or buy them, you need to go to temp ticket office just W of the ballpark. That as of today is the only place to buy or print that Im aware of. Then to board train, climb steps above temp ticket bldg at this location. Good luck. No idea when this will be done. Just glad I was dropping someone off today and not r read more

Had to update my review as many of the renovations are complete. Place is looking new a refreshed. New coffee and snack bar is open and smells great when you enter. Can wait to be able to go from the HC or the RI train without leaving the building... read more

Okay, here's my update on JUS, based on what I observed while there on Sept 25th with my Metra weekend pass...bathrooms have been updated, thank God. The toilets in the women's restroom are now automatic, and each of them had toilet paper inside the dispensers next to them. The faucets in the sink still looked as if they were in desperate need of some damn CLR though! And the water fountain next to the restroom? That now has a plastic cap surrounding the spout, which is still in need of CLR. I feel a little safer now while inside the restrooms of this place or using the water fountain, but it I think that it still needs some updating and cleaning. Maybe I wasn't the only one to complain about the BS I saw in this place after the last time I came here. You may thank either Yelp, commuters passing through JUS, or both. read more

I take the metra from here often and while it is no where near comparison Chicago Union Station with Clerks Ticket agents and dining it gets you where you need to go and it nice to be able to buy your ticket on the train (as there is no agent) for no extra fee. Waiting for the train however is just ridiculous boring as they have no accommodations, aside from the grand dinning hall which is just a bunch of round though be it nicely decorated tables under lock and key. read more

I love it the Amtrak for getting down to St. Louis and this is the spot closest to my home. No fancy thrills, but it's a pretty cool old building and their is a minor league baseball stadium on the backdrop while you wait for the train to come. Choo choo, see you in the Lou. read more

Do Not come to this place and expect any type of customer service what so ever!!! The place has signs that lead you to no where!!! When asking a security guard that is locked behind a caged area (really whom is he securing!!) for directions he just vaguely remembers himself where I am to go and how to get there!!! Only to have to circle back and ask the same man the same questions!! Once finding the correct place to check in we are greeted an employee that is working very seriously on a personal phone call. She decides to assist my needs while continuing her important phone call. The lady informs that the train is running late with no "clue" of how late or why!!!! So two hours later and looking for alternate ways of travel we are told that the train is late due to the removal of two train cars from the train.....wtf..... Looks like they are happy to refund your ticket cost but now how to get from point A to point B? read more

My interest in this particular station is purely rail related. One, the station has an active UD tower; two, the 1912 beaux arts station is on the Natl Register of Historic Places; three, the station is a GREAT place to railfan. This bottleneck offers continuous train spotting opportunites of UP (Joliet Sub), BNSF (Chillicothe Sub), CSX, IAIS, Metra, Amtrak. Commuter parking is available across the street and city parking can be found in the multi-level structures blocks away. The station has bathrooms , a ticket office, no wifi, and a snack bar which is open only during the early morning commute hours. The station lived up to its reputation as a premier trainspotting location. Be aware that the UD Tower will be demolished to make room for a new passenger station. read more

See all

It has been 6 months since my last train ride to Chicago and the conditions at the station are no better or even worse than the last time. There is a major construction project, though it is unclear what they are doing. However parking, access to the platforms, etc., are abysmal. This is the last time we will use Metra to take a trip into Chicago. read more

The pros: several train times into the city. Overall fairly clean and comfortable. The BIG cons, attempting to get to the train is a joke, I don't ride the train super often so it was challenging to figure out how to get to the platform the area is completely tore up. The other main issue and my major frustration is apparently you have to go to the clear over end to enter the train on Saturdays, it's the only door that is open. We arrived to the train at 1:20, all of the doors were closed, we missed the train (it pulled away with us standing there) when some random guy told us you have to go to the other end, who would someone possibly know that?? read more

Excellent place for railfanning as the new.Gateway Center is beautiful and is a gorgeous station for Amtrak and Metra trains . I was there railfanning and had a beautiful time doing so. read more

This is one of the best places to railfan in Southwest Illinois. I've ben here for 1 hour and saw 5 trains. I suggest any railfan in Southwest Illinois read more

Beware! If you're by yourself. I traveled to this station for the first time and was by myself. The Amtrak train isn't the issue, I had a very nice train ride to and from Chicago! The worse thing is the people that hangout around this station, beware of your surroundings and don't talk to anyone that ask you a question. As I was leaving the station a man harassed me for money and followed me to my car! Very scary, but thankfully there were a lot of people around and the police station is very close. I had another ticket booked for this station, but canceled it immediately and WILL NEVER visit this station again! Safety lesson learned, I'm fortunate that I didn't get robbed or even worse murdered. read more