The World's only radio station in a train station

ALL ABOARD!

WRLR 98.3 FM Moves Into Unique Location
The World’s Only Radio Station in a Train Station

Round Lake Beach, IL USA – In February of this year community radio station WRLR 98.3 FM moved in to the Metra train depot located in Round Lake Beach (RLB). WRLR and the Village of Round Lake Beach have partnered to use their train station’s ticket agent office as a showcase studio.  The ticket agent office has never been used since the train station was built more than 20 years ago when Metra established a new North Central Service commuter line on Canadian National (CN) owned tracks. The line has terminus in Chicago and Antioch and the Round Lake Beach stop is the 3rd to last before reaching Antioch.

The depot is located at 680 E Mallard Creek Drive and is a part of the village’s civic campus which encompasses RLB Village Hall, the RLB Police Department, the RLB Cultural and Civic Center, the area’s U.S. Post Office, and the Round Lake Area Park District Sport Center.

 “While searching for a new location WRLR took into account that the train depot would be an excellent opportunity to work closely in the heart of Lake County’s economic engine and leadership, said WRLR President Bish Krywko.

The unique combination of WRLR’s Studio B at the train station makes it the world’s only radio station in a train station!

The shade on the old ticket agent window now gets raised up when live programming is under way. It opens the new showcase studio air talent to interacting with commuters who are waiting on trains. On occasion some commuters who have had their interest piqued by the activity in the studio have even stepped up to the mic to talk with show hosts and their guests.

While the mic is open there is a certain charm to hearing Metra train announcements in the background or the rumble that can be heard, and felt, as long lines of CN freight cars frequently go by. We don’t apologize for these natural special effects.

WRLR plans to decorate the station lobby with railroad related appointments to make the waiting area interesting to commuters and visitors. Already the station has in place an area rug, a couch and side chairs in the center of the lobby so it is more welcoming and people can feel the difference from typical train depots. Plans include having displays that show and tell about the history of the CN line and Metra’s role too.

WRLR also relocated it antenna and transmitter to a water tower in RLB to take advantage of the height that has resulted in a better signal.

With its new location WRLR is hoping to not only continue promoting local community groups and their causes, as it has for the past thirteen years, but now also bring on board railroad enthusiasts. This includes individuals and groups who would be interested in doing on air programs about railroading, like railroad museums and hobbyists. WRLR is looking to partner in a variety of ways with anyone interested in using the radio platform to inform listeners about railroading history and the newest developments. These organizations will be able to spread the word about the work their organization does and spread awareness about any aspect of railroading. Those who are interested can contact the radio station at studio@wrlr.fm

To introduce WRLR’s Studio B the station will be holding an open house on Saturday, June 29th and will be giving tours of the station and providing refreshments. In addition WRLR will be hosting various non-profit groups who will be there to represent their organizations and talk to people who attend. The open house will coincide with the village’s annual Beach Fest that weekend (June 28th and 29th) and there will be many activities taking place for both events. More specific details about the open house will be forthcoming as the event draws closer.


ABOUT WRLR

WRLR 98.3 FM is an all volunteer, non-profit, community radio station that first went on the air in 2005. The station carries local and some syndicated programming produced by non-profit organizations, public entities and individuals from mostly Lake County, IL. Programs range from talk shows, public affairs, to all genre of music, and sports coverage of high school basketball and football games.

The station moniker is, ‘The Voice of Lake County’. The station can be heard throughout Lake County, IL and parts of eastern McHenry County, IL and southern Kenosha County, WI. The station can also be heard anywhere in the world via stream at www.WRLR.fm

WRLR is an IRS recognized 501 (c)(3) non-profit and is supported by donations from individuals, businesses, and public or private grants. Donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.