Anyone know the schedules yet of the new services in Illinois (to St. Louis, Galesburg/Quincy, and/or Carbondale)?
You think they would start selling tickets because it's supposed to start up October 31st.
I am looking forward to it because it will mean you can do more "day-trips" from Chicago. As in, ride one of the intra-state trains to like Galesburg and catch the Zephyr (or another LD train) back the same day. The only train I have been able to do this on is 303 out of Chicago and then down to Springfield or Lincoln and catch 22 back.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
The new Chicago-Carbondale train is named for the Southern Illinois University's mascott and is to be inaugurated Oct 30.
Fares and schedules are available at the Amtrak website.
I heard from some IL locals that one of the new trains will be called the "Carl Sandburg." Mr. Norman, does this mean the train will travel on little cat feet?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
What a shame 382, the afternoon Quincy departure doesn't operate early enough to make a connection to the Westbound Chief at Galesburg.
Still, this is exciting news.
Posted by rtabern (Member # 4306) on :
Definetly exciting for me and others who just like to take train rides out of Chicago.
It looks like you'd be able to make it out on the 8am Sandburg to Galesburg and catch the east-bound Chief back to Chicago on the same day. Or west-bound on the Zephyr to Galesburg and back on the late Sanburg back to Chicago.
I'll see you November 4th!
Posted by rtabern (Member # 4306) on :
So the question is... where exactly will I be able to catch Mr. Norman along the way?
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
An on-line newspaper at Lincoln seems to think the additional Chi-Stl frequency will also startup on Oct 30:
An Amtrak conductor I am friends with who works on the Chicago to Saint Louis stretch (Ann Rutlege and Texas Eagle trains) says the extra CHI-STL trains WILL start up October 30.
I even got a glimpse at the "undisclosed" NEW schedule (with a 7am AND an 9am train leaving Chicago instead of just one 8:15am departure).