I'm hoping to visit the Windy City later this year primarily for the purpose of riding the rails. 
In the past I've taken railfan trips to Boston. Probably my favorite place to stay there is the Motel 6 in Braintree. Does anybody know of reasonably priced accomodations on or near CTA or Metra that would do the trick? I've only been to Chicago a couple of times and didn't have the chance to scout out economical motels.
This may have an impact on where I ultimately stay: My main goals are to ride the South Shore and do the Joliet loop (HC one way, RI the other). But I'll also be taking Amtrak to Chicago so proximity or easy connections to Union Station wouldn't hurt either.
In the past I've taken railfan trips to Boston. Probably my favorite place to stay there is the Motel 6 in Braintree. Does anybody know of reasonably priced accomodations on or near CTA or Metra that would do the trick? I've only been to Chicago a couple of times and didn't have the chance to scout out economical motels. This may have an impact on where I ultimately stay: My main goals are to ride the South Shore and do the Joliet loop (HC one way, RI the other). But I'll also be taking Amtrak to Chicago so proximity or easy connections to Union Station wouldn't hurt either.
