Stone Avenue-La Grange (platform and station signs just say Stone Avenue, timetables include La Grange) is one of two Metra Stations in La Grange, the other is La Grange Road is less then a quarter mile away (between the ends of the station's long platforms), the official distance between the stations is .4 of a mile. The station is located at grade level and has three tracks, the middle track, doesn't platform. Two long, low-level side platforms with tactile warning strips (the station is ADA compliant) begin at the grade crossing of Brainard Avenue and run east. This grade crossing is also the only legal connection between the two platforms with a low-fence running between the outbound and middle tracks for safer crossings. The outbound platform is parallel to Hillgrove Avenue with a line of parking spaces between the street and the platform on a slightly raised embankment. The inbound platform is parallel to Burlington Avenue, slightly farther away. Sidewalks continue from the eastern ends of both platforms down the tracks going all the way to the nearby La Grange Road Station. Kensington Avenue is the one grade crossing between the stations although many streets are split into two by the tracks to avoid constant grade crossings; one of these, a block east of Hillgrove Avenue is Stone Avenue.
The southern half of Stone Avenue, a minor street ends at the station's 1901 station house on the inbound platform. This station house has large brick arches that hold up eves that circle the entire interior of the brick station house with a largely gabled roof that even has a chimney. Inside is a ticket office open for one shift weekdays (5:25am to 1:00pm) and a waiting room with the same hours. The waiting room has old-fashioned wooden benches and white walls with wooden trip around the windows and ticket office. The eves of this building is the only shelter for inbound passengers. Directly across from the building, the only amenity for waiting passengers on the outbound platform is a wooden shelter that covers about a car length. Inside is a wooden bench surrounded by a wooden windscreen; closed by fencing off when I visited. Under the shelter a short ramp leads down the normally three steps to parking along Hillgrove Avenue. Both platforms have concrete lampposts. Parking at the station is minimal with a tiny parking lot across Hillgrove Avenue along the inbound track (where Burlington Avenue ends) and a number of on street parking spaces.
All Photos taken on 4 July, 2013
Western Springs 