Ogilvie Transportation Center

Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center
Company type	Transit center
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1984
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Products	Commuter rail services

Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center

Situated on the historic grounds of the former Chicago and North Western Terminal, the Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center () serves as a key commuter rail hub in downtown Chicago, Illinois. This location has functioned as the central terminal for the Chicago and North Western Railway and its successors, including Union Pacific and Metra, for more than 100 years. Although intercity train services ceased by the 1970s, commuter rail operations on the three ex-CNW mainlines—now part of Metra's UP District routes—continue to conclude at this station.

The station’s tracks are positioned above street level on an elevated structure. The original CNW terminal was replaced during the mid-1980s by a contemporary high-rise situated at 500 West Madison Street, spanning two city blocks bordered by Randolph, Madison, Canal, and Clinton streets.

Ranking as Chicago’s second most frequented rail terminal after nearby Chicago Union Station, Ogilvie stands as the sixth busiest railway station across North America and ranks third among stations dedicated solely to commuter rail traffic, trailing behind New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and Jamaica station.

The 1911 station

In 1911, the Chicago and North Western Railway erected the Chicago and North Western Terminal to replace its earlier facility at Wells Street Station, which was located across the North Branch of the Chicago River. Designed by Frost and Granger—who also designed the 1903 LaSalle Street Station—the terminal showcased the Renaissance Revival architectural style and incorporated advanced features for its era.

To make way for the new terminal, the Tyler & Hippach Mirror Company Factory was moved 168 feet eastward and 52 feet southward, marking one of the largest building relocations recorded at that time. The terminal featured sixteen elevated tracks accessed via six approach tracks running beneath an 894-foot (272 meter) Bush train shed. The upper concourse level housed passenger amenities including dressing rooms, bathing facilities, nursing stations, and a medical office. Its primary waiting room measured 201 by 202 feet (34 by 62 meters) with an impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling soaring 84 feet high. Additionally, a separate concourse at street level catered specifically to commuter passengers.

At its operational height, this terminal was the departure point for C&NW trains serving key cities in the Upper Midwest such as Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St Paul, and Madison, with the renowned 400 series among its flagship services. Until October 30, 1955, it also functioned as Chicago’s terminus for Union Pacific trains operated jointly with C&NW, including notable routes like the Overland Limited and various City trains (City of San Francisco, City of Los Angeles, Portland Rose). After 1955, Union Pacific shifted its intercity services to compete via the Milwaukee Road. Other distinguished trains hosted here included the Corn King Special (Omaha), Viking (Milwaukee, Green Bay, Minneapolis/St Paul), and Columbine (Denver). In 1939 alone, there were 38 daily departures for inter-city travel.

The 1984 station

In 1984, the original head house was taken down and substituted by the 42-story Citicorp Center (currently known as Accenture Tower), which was completed in 1987. Throughout the construction period, Metra ensured continuous service with minimal disruptions, employing an approach comparable to the redevelopment of New York's Penn Station.

1991 rehabilitation

Metra acquired the train shed from Chicago and North Western in 1991 and performed a thorough condition assessment. This inspection revealed the need for significant structural repairs and upgrades to align with modern commuter rail standards. By 1992, supported by Federal funding, a contractor and project management team were engaged to undertake a complete replacement of the structure.

The rehabilitation presented considerable engineering complexities due to the train shed’s central position and heavy daily usage, accommodating approximately 45,000 commuters. The scope of work encompassed removal of lead-based paint, full replacement of all 16 tracks handling around 200 trains per day, extensive structural steel repairs conducted while under load, installation of a new steel canopy, masonry restoration, modernization of electrical and plumbing infrastructure, and the building of a new pedestrian concourse. This four-year endeavor cost $138 million and involved more than 60 contractors contributing upwards of 800,000 man-hours.

In 1997, two years following the merger of Chicago and North Western into Union Pacific Railroad, the station was renamed Ogilvie Transportation Center in honor of Richard B. Ogilvie, who served on the Milwaukee Road board. Despite this official change, many residents continue to refer to it as "North Western Station" or "CPT" (Chicago Passenger Terminal).

Platforms and tracks

The facility contains 16 tracks arranged alongside eight island platforms, each serving two tracks. The western platforms (tracks 1–10) are longer compared to those on the eastern side. Generally, trains on the West Line depart from the western platforms (tracks 1–5), Northwest Line trains utilize middle tracks (6–10), while North Line trains operate from eastern tracks (11–15). Track 16 is seldom used for regular passenger service. This configuration reduces switch movements that could obstruct other trains, allowing multiple arrivals and departures simultaneously.

Immediately north of the station, track count narrows from 16 down to six mainline tracks equipped with switches that enable any station track to connect with any of these six lines. About one-third of a mile beyond this point, these six tracks diverge into two mainlines consisting of four tracks each: one veering westward for West Line services and another heading northwest serving Northwest and North Line trains. Trains not in service access rail yards via the west mainline.

Services

Historically, the Chicago and North Western Terminal accommodated all commuter and intercity rail services operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway. After Grand Central Station closed on November 9, 1969, both the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Pere Marquette Railway transferred their remaining intercity operations to the C&NW terminal. These services ran along the C&NW branch connecting to the St. Charles Air Line west of Western Avenue until April 30, 1971—just prior to Amtrak assuming control over most U.S. intercity passenger rail routes. Currently, Amtrak serves these corridors through Union Station.

Metra provides commuter rail operations on three Union Pacific District lines—the Union Pacific North Line, Union Pacific Northwest Line, and Union Pacific West Line—all formerly part of C&NW routes. Ogilvie Transportation Center is classified within Metra's Zone 1 and handles more than 106,000 boardings each weekday.

Traffic figures


Position	Line	Average weekday ridership
1	UP-N toward Kenosha	41,000
2	UP-NW serving Harvard and McHenry	38,600
3	UP-W destination Elburn	27,200

Bus and 'L' transit links

Bus services can be accessed along Madison Street or Washington Boulevard through the Citigroup Center or via a lower-level concourse connecting platforms situated between Washington Boulevard and Randolph Street, with entry points at Canal and Clinton Streets. Additional bus transfers are available at the Union Station bus terminal located on Madison Street.

Ogilvie provides direct access to the Chicago Transit Authority's L network via the adjacent Clinton station, whose platforms border Ogilvie’s. The station is also situated three blocks west of the Washington/Wells station.

CTA bus lines

J14 Jeffery Jump
19 United Center Express
56 Milwaukee
60 Blue Island/26th (Owl Service)
120 Ogilvie/Streeterville Express
124 Navy Pier
125 Water Tower Express
126 Jackson
128 Soldier Field Express
130 Museum Campus
157 Streeterville/Taylor
192 University of Chicago Hospitals Express

Key intercity trains prior to Amtrak

Chicago & North Western services

North Western Limited
Twin Cities 400
Flambeau 400
Minnesota 400 along with its successors Dakota 400 and Rochester 400
Kate Shelley 400

Union Pacific/Chicago and North Western combined trains

References

Kevin P. Keefe, City of Six Stations, Trains July 2003, p. 69

External links