[2] For the Metra Electric, it is the southern terminus of the Blue Island Branch, and is 18.9 miles (30.4 km) from Millennium Station.

Although these two stations are across the street from each other and trains do not use the same platform areas, the proximity of the two to each other functionally allows riders to transfer from one to the other with only a very short walk (less than an eighth of a mile) between them.

Vermont Street is a favorite of railfans due to its unique four-track setup, frequent train action, and switching movements.

[4] The Beverly Branch splits from the main line here and runs at the base of the ridge serving stations in Blue Island and the Chicago neighborhoods of Morgan Park and Beverly before veering east to serve Brainard and reconnecting to the main line at the Gresham station at 87th and Vincennes.

This branch line was created in 1889[5] through the influence of the Blue Island Land and Building Company to serve its interests in the development of what was then the village of Morgan Park[6] and carries most of the passenger traffic for the area, although some rush-hour trains travel north-east on the main line.

In 1891, the Metra Electric station was built as a branch of the Illinois Central's commuter line from Kensington-115th Street.

The cash-starved Rock Island could not afford to join Amtrak, and ran their own intercity passenger trains until Illinois withdrew the operating subsidy and service was terminated on December 31, 1978.)