Prairie Crossing station
Prairie Crossing consists of two distinct Metra train stops located in Libertyville, Illinois, served by the North Central Service and the Milwaukee District North Line. Traveling from Chicago Union Station, the distance is from the city via the North Central Service and when using the Milwaukee District North Line, with both stations falling under Metra's zone 4 fare classification.
The platform for the North Central Service began operations in 1996, coinciding with the inauguration of the line. Later, in 2004, the Milwaukee District North Line platform was introduced as an infill stop. These two routes cross at an at-grade diamond situated northwest of the station, where a connecting track enables an evening North Central Service train to switch between lines.
Although located nearby, Metra considers each platform a separate station. In terms of ridership during 2018, the Milwaukee District North Line platform was ranked 128th busiest out of 236 non-downtown stations, averaging 368 weekday boardings. Meanwhile, the North Central Service platform held the 194th position with 87 boardings on an average weekday.
As of February 15, 2024, service at Prairie Crossing includes 35 Milwaukee District North Line trains on weekdays (16 inbound and 19 outbound), 18 trains on Saturdays (nine in each direction), and all 18 on Sundays and holidays. The North Central Service operates 14 trains on weekdays, split evenly with seven heading inbound and seven outbound.