Fairview Avenue station (Illinois)
| Company type | Metra commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1890 |
| Headquarters | Downers Grove, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services |
Fairview Avenue is among the trio of Metra stops situated on the BNSF Line within Downers Grove, Illinois, positioned from Chicago's Union Station. In 2018, it was ranked as the 113th most frequented station out of Metra's 236 non-central locations, with an average of 415 boardings on weekdays. Although its official address is at the intersection of Fairview and Burlington Avenues, the principal parking facility lies south of the railroad tracks along Second Street, all under the administration of the Village of Downers Grove.
The initial station, originally called East Grove, began operations around 1890 and was succeeded in 1916 by the present building crafted by engineers from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad at a cost of $3,300. Its architectural style, reminiscent of a colonial barn, draws inspiration from Northeastern United States railroad designs and complements the nearby Pepperidge Farm bakery to create a countryside ambiance.
As of April 29, 2024, Fairview Avenue accommodates 62 trains during weekdays (32 inbound and 30 outbound), including 8 inbound services that start here and 5 outbound trains that conclude their routes at this station. On weekends and holidays, service consists of 33 trains (16 inbound and 17 outbound). Currently, there are no bus routes connecting to this station.
Incident
On August 26, 1991, a tragic event occurred when Mary T. Wojtyla, aged 41, was struck fatally by a westbound Metra express train at this location. The incident was captured on video by a rail enthusiast; an edited version omitting the collision moment is commonly utilized by Operation Lifesaver to promote awareness about railroad safety.
