Amtrak
I had to choose my mode of transportation to attend a journalism conference in Chicago last week. I hate driving to and in Chicago, and I have always enjoyed taking the train. When I used to take it regularly for work, it was relatively reliable. I love flying, but when heading to a conference downtown,…
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QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup said late Thursday afternoon he has learned both roundtrips for Amtrak trains between Chicago and Quincy will be in service on Saturday. Troup said he learned from the Amtrak government communications group and the staff of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin about the restoration of service. Amtrak announced July 29 that…
Read Full Article QUINCY — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a Wednesday letter to Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner that he is frustrated and concerned with how the suspension of one of two roundtrips between Chicago and Quincy has been handled. Amtrak announced July 29 that Carl Sandburg Train 381, from Chicago to Quincy in the morning, and Carl…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The possibility of an Amtrak stop in Hannibal seems to be on track. The Missouri Department of Transportation applied in September for an allocation of $500,000 in federal funds to conduct a feasibility study to extend the Quincy-to-Chicago route to the Hannibal corridor and through St. Louis, Kansas City and St. Joseph. …
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The oncoming whistle of an Amtrak train might one day be heard on Hannibal’s side of the river. Taylor Brune, assistant communications director at the Missouri Department of Transportation, confirmed Tuesday with Muddy River News that an application for $500,000 in federal funds has been submitted to hire a consultant to do…
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CHICAGO — A trip from St. Louis to Chicago via Amtrak’s Lincoln Service will be about 15 minutes quicker starting this week due to track upgrades that allow for increased speeds. The Amtrak line ran its first 110 mph service on Monday, up from 90 mph previously, which would make the one-way trip less than…
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UPDATE: Adams County Coroner Scott Graham issued a press release at 4:45 p.m. Saturday identifying the man who was killed as Flint C. Reed of Camp Point. CAMP POINT, Ill. — An unidentified man died at about noon Friday in Camp Point when he was struck by an Amtrak train traveling from Chicago to Quincy.…
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CHICAGO — Amtrak will resume its full service to the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg lines on Monday, Jan. 16. Per a recent e-mail from Amtrak Senior Manager, Derrick James, our community will be regaining the service that was temporarily reduced. See below some of the information we received from this e-mail. “Amtrak is pleased…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Amtrak today has announced that morning train service between Quincy and Chicago has been suspended through Jan. 16. Amtrak trains 381 leaving Chicago at 7:35 a.m. and 380 leaving Quincy at 6:12 a.m. are canceled until mid-January. Amtrak is notifying customers who purchased tickets for those trains that buses will be used for…
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You wouldn’t think it would be so difficult to get to Evanston, Ill., right? Well, Bobby reminds Frankie and Ashley that Quincy is really an out-of-the-way place, sometimes.
Read Full Article UPDATE from Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner: “This tentative agreement will keep our trains moving, stations bustling, and employees proudly serving customers as we move them across this great country, stimulating local economies in more than 500 communities we serve. Railroads play a vital role in the nation and we thank President Biden, Secretaries Buttigieg, Walsh…
Read Full Article Dear Muddy River News, You may want to ask Amtrak why for the past two evenings (Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Thursday, Aug. 18), the 383 train from Chicago to Quincy (the Illinois Zephyr) was cancelled with no notification to passengers. On Thursday at 6:20 p.m., the station master told passengers to go track one in…
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QUINCY — Chartered buses will be used as substitute transportation for Carl Sandburg trains 381 (from Chicago to Quincy in the mornings) and 382 (from Quincy to Chicago in the evenings) through Tuesday, Aug. 9. Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said this decision will allow Amtrak’s shop forces more time to provide a larger number of…
Read Full Article UPDATE (3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3): Marc Magliari, senior public relations manager, said Amtrak is providing chartered buses from Thursday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 7 as a replacement for the Carl Sandburg train. Customers who already purchased Amtrak tickets have been notified of the change. Dear MRN: My morning Amtrak train from Chicago to…
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Wednesday’s 50 year celebration of Amtrak’s Illinois Zephyr was another reminder that Quincy needs some serious upgrades to its station at 30th and Wismann Lane. Some improvements have been made. There’s more parking, better lighting and wider sidewalks as you approach the train, but it still needs some other features. Quincy Area Convention and Visitors…
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QUINCY – Quincy Mayor Mike Troup, Quincy University President Brian McGee and several others boarded the Illinois Zephyr this morning as part of a special celebration. Communities along the corridor of Amtrak’s Illinois Zephyr route from Quincy to Chicago are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the state-sponsored passenger rail service today. The Quincy City…
Read Full Article The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that the Lincoln Service, Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr and Illini/Saluki state-supported Amtrak trains will resume full service effective July 19. The COVID-19 pandemic forced service levels to be reduced by half. With the resumption of a full schedule, five daily round trips are available between Chicago and St. Louis…
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