If you’re standing on a platform in the North Suburbs wondering if the train is actually coming, you’re part of a long-standing Chicago tradition. The Metra Milwaukee District North (MD-N) line is one of those essential arteries of the city that people mostly ignore until they’re running late for a meeting at Union Station. It isn't just a way to get to work. It’s a 49-mile stretch of track that connects the high-rise intensity of the Loop to the quiet, leafy sprawl of Fox Lake.
Most people just call it the "Milwaukee North." It’s a bit of a misnomer, though. Despite the name, this train won't actually take you to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you want to drink a Miller High Life in the Cream City, you need the Amtrak Hiawatha. The Metra MD-N stops at the Illinois-Wisconsin border, specifically at Fox Lake. It’s a common mistake. I’ve seen tourists sit down with a suitcase, looking for the beer gardens, only to realize they’re heading toward Libertyville.
The line is weirdly beautiful. You start in the concrete bowels of Union Station, emerge into the industrial grit of the near West Side, and then suddenly, you're passing through the backyards of some of the wealthiest ZIP codes in America. It’s a weirdly intimate look at Northern Illinois.
The Logistics of the Metra Milwaukee District North Line
Let's get the boring but vital stuff out of the way. The MD-N serves 22 stations. It shares trackage with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway, which is why you’ll sometimes see massive freight trains rumbling past while you’re waiting at Grayland or Mayfair. This sharing of the "iron" is actually a big reason for delays. Freight is king in the Midwest. If a mile-long cargo train needs the right of way, your commuter coach is going to sit there and wait. It’s frustrating, but that’s the reality of American rail.
Wait times vary wildly. During rush hour, the "express" trains are a godsend. They skip the smaller stops like Golf or Healy to shave twenty minutes off the commute. But on a Tuesday at 11:00 AM? You’re looking at a two-hour gap between trains. Always check the official schedule on the Metra website or the Ventra app. Seriously. Don't wing it.
Ticketing is basically all digital now.
Sure, you can buy a paper ticket from a machine if it’s working, or pay a surcharge to the conductor on the train if you have cash, but nobody does that anymore. The Ventra app is the standard. You buy your "Day Pass" or "10-Ride" on your phone, and you "activate" it once you board. A pro tip: don't activate it until you actually see the conductor walking down the aisle. Sometimes they don't even make it to your car before you hit your stop, and hey, that’s a free ride for next time.
Where the MD-N Actually Goes
The line starts at Chicago Union Station. From there, it heads northwest. You hit Western Avenue first—a stop that feels very "old school Chicago"—and then you’re into the neighborhoods.
- Edgebrook: This is a hidden gem. The station is basically in a forest preserve.
- Morton Grove & Niles: Heavy commuter territory. Lots of parking lots.
- Glenview: This is a major hub. It’s also where the MD-N meets the Amtrak Hiawatha. If you’re coming from the north and want to go to Milwaukee proper, this is your transfer point.
- Northbrook & Lake Cook Road: The corporate corridor. If you work for a big insurance company or a pharmaceutical firm, you’ve probably spent a lot of time at these stops.
- Libertyville: A genuinely cool downtown area. It’s one of the few stops where you can hop off the train and find a great restaurant or a brewery within a two-minute walk.
- Fox Lake: The end of the line. It’s a bit rustic. It’s where the suburban sprawl finally gives way to the Chain O'Lakes.
Why the Schedule Can Be Your Best Friend or Your Worst Enemy
Metra’s scheduling is a delicate dance. On the Metra Milwaukee District North, the "inbound" (toward Chicago) trains are heavy in the morning. Outbound is heavy in the evening. If you work a non-traditional shift, the MD-N can be a nightmare.
There’s this thing called the "Flip." This is when the train reaches the end of the line and has to turn around. At Fox Lake, there’s a small yard where the engines are serviced. If there’s a mechanical issue at the "end of the whip," it ripples through the entire line. One broken signal in Round Lake can cause a 40-minute delay for someone waiting at Healy.
Honestly, the punctuality is usually around 90%. That sounds good until you’re the person standing in -10 degree wind chill in January because the 5:12 was cancelled. Metra’s "Track Your Train" feature on their website is surprisingly accurate, though. It uses GPS data from the locomotives. If the map shows the train hasn't moved from Deerfield in ten minutes, it’s time to call an Uber or find a coffee shop.
The Quiet Car Culture
If you’re new to the MD-N, you need to know about the Quiet Car. On rush-hour trains, the second car from the engine and the second car from the other end are designated as "Quiet Cars."
This is not a suggestion. It is a law enforced by the unspoken rage of a thousand tired accountants.
No phone calls. No loud headphones. No shouting at your coworkers. I once saw a woman get shushed for opening a bag of chips too loudly. It’s intense. If you need to talk, just stay in the middle cars. The conductors will usually give you a "Quiet Car" card if you start talking, which is the suburban equivalent of a scarlet letter.
Comparing the MD-N to Other Lines
People often confuse the Milwaukee North with the Milwaukee West (MD-W) or the Union Pacific North (UP-N).
The UP-N runs right along the lake through Evanston and Highland Park. It’s "fancier." The Metra Milwaukee District North is the workhorse. It’s more inland. It’s the line for people living in the "in-between" spaces of Lake County.
The equipment is mostly the same across the board: the iconic silver bilevel gallery cars. These cars have been around since the 1950s in some form. They are rugged, slightly drafty, and have those weird reversible seats that let you face your friends or stare at the back of a stranger's head. The newer cars have outlets for charging laptops, but on the MD-N, it’s a total gamble. You might get a refurbished car with USB ports, or you might get a car that feels like it’s been transporting commuters since the Nixon administration.
Realities of the "Reverse Commute"
There’s a growing trend on the Milwaukee North line: the reverse commute. More people are living in Logan Square or Wicker Park and taking the train out to Glenview or Northbrook for work.
Metra has tried to accommodate this, but the frequency just isn't there yet. If you miss your 5:30 PM train back to the city from Lake Cook Road, you’re basically stranded for an hour. The "Fair Transit South Cook" pilot program lowered some fares on other lines, but the North line remains relatively expensive. A one-way ticket from Fox Lake to the city will set you back about $9.50 (Zone 4 pricing under the new 2024 fare structure).
Metra recently simplified their zones. It used to be a confusing alphabet soup of Zone A through Zone M. Now, it’s basically just four zones. It makes buying tickets easier, but for some long-distance riders, it actually bumped the price up a bit.
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Practical Advice for New Riders
If you're going to use the Metra Milwaukee District North regularly, stop thinking like a car driver. You have to think like a railroader.
- The Ventra App is Mandatory. Don't mess with the paper tickets. The app allows you to buy tickets in bulk, which saves a few bucks over the long run, especially with the $75 Monthly Pass if you're a heavy user.
- Check the "C" Trains. Some trains on the schedule are marked with a "C" or other footnotes. These might only run on Fridays, or they might be "construction" schedules. Metra is constantly repairing bridges on the North line, which leads to "modified" schedules that can add 15 minutes to your trip.
- Union Station is a Maze. The MD-N arrives at the North Platforms (Tracks 1-15). This is a different section of the station than the BNSF or the Amtrak trains. If you’re meeting someone, specify the "North Concourse."
- Winter is the Enemy. Cold weather causes "frozen switches." This is when the metal parts that allow trains to change tracks get stuck. When this happens, the MD-N falls apart quickly. If there’s a blizzard, check the Metra Twitter (X) feed or the app before you even leave your house.
- Parking is a Mess. Most suburban stations like Glenview or Northbrook have "Permit Only" parking. If you don't have a permit, you have to pay the daily fee via an app like Passport Parking. Don't assume you can just park for free; the suburban police departments love ticketing Metra lot jumpers.
The Future of the Line
There’s a lot of talk about "Regional Rail." Basically, instead of just being a commuter service for 9-to-5 workers, the goal is to make the MD-N run every 20-30 minutes all day long. We aren't there yet.
Funding is always the issue. Metra is currently dealing with a "fiscal cliff" as federal COVID-19 relief money runs out. There might be service cuts in 2025 or 2026 if the Illinois legislature doesn't find a new way to fund transit. This is something to watch if you're planning on buying a house specifically to be near an MD-N stop.
Despite the looming budget issues, the line remains one of the safest and most reliable ways to skip the nightmare of the Edens Expressway (I-94). If you’ve ever sat in three miles of backed-up traffic near Old Orchard Mall, you know that a slightly delayed train is still better than being stuck in a car.
Actionable Next Steps for Commuters
- Download the Ventra App: Do this today. Set up your payment method so you aren't fumbling with it while the train is pulling into the station.
- Sign up for Email Alerts: Go to the Metra website and subscribe to "Milwaukee District North" alerts. They will email you the second there is a delay over 15 minutes. It’s the most reliable way to stay informed.
- Map Your Station: Use Google Street View to look at your "home" station. Find where the "Pay Box" or the parking kiosk is located. Some stations have them in weird spots, and you don't want to be searching for a kiosk while the train whistle is blowing in the distance.
- Locate the "Warming Center": Most MD-N stations have a small glass or brick hut. In the winter, these are heated. Know where yours is. It makes the 10-minute wait for a delayed train much more bearable.