Premiering on CBS, Star Trek: Discovery is coming exclusively to CBS All Access in 2017. Sign up now to try 1 week free.
RefrigiWear makes some of the world's toughest, most dependable garments for protection from the cold
This video is a combination of two recorded during the Downtown Springfield Farmers Market on July 14 2012. I captured the Northbound Amtrak Lincoln Service and later recorded the Southbound. The video shows the Northbound to Chicago was the more popular route that day. I’d venture a guess this is normally the case. My experience has been Southbound to St. Louis usually has less passengers board from Springfield IL. I have seen days where that isn’t always a true statement – but on average I think Northbound gets more riders.
Northbound Lincoln Service is featured first. You can see the Lincoln Home Trails & Rails volunteers deboarding and their replacements for the next part of journey boarding. Those volunteers are the people you see in the green shirts.
During the Southbound portion of the video we see at least one Lincoln Home Trails & Rails volunteer waiting to board Amtrak’s Lincoln Service. We also see less passengers heading to St. Louis compared to those shown earlier heading towards Chicago.
I’ve been a passenger on a good portion of Amtrak routes. But I have only heard U.S. National Park Service Trails & Rails in operation one other time from what I can remember. That was when I rode the Amtrak Capitol Limited to Washington DC a few years ago (2007).
Unfortunately during my most recent Lincoln Service trip – in business class we couldn’t hear the Lincoln Home Trails & Rails volunteers presentation. The car speaker wasn’t working – could barely hear the volunteer somewhat from the front snack area. Business class is located within the same car as the food / snack counter and seating. The speaker issue happens often – especially in business class.
Many people only see Amtrak locally when the train is blocking traffic. I thought it might be interesting to see the passenger locomotive in full action. With the raging debate over this set of railroad tracks – I felt it would be good to show how important Amtrak and this station are to the community. I think those that don’t use the service feel it has no value. Amtrak is a well used transportation option within our community and the other cities in our region it serves.
It is in the communities best interest to support, promote and improve Amtrak service. Any attempts to hinder this resource will have negative effects on citizens and reduce public transportation options. Unfortunately over the years many politicians and even some voters can’t seem to realize these facts.
Featured Amtrak engines are Number 26, 33, 162 and 167.
Book your hotel plane ticket car rental vacation cruise business trip
Book your next rail vacation or business trip
TRT-909 Track Renewal Train High Speed Rail construction Chatham IL May 20 2012
Multi Modal Transportation Center Uptown Station Normal IL
Springfield Downtown Farmers Market July 14 2012
Chicago St Louis high speed rail project location map
High speed rail kills squirrels
Amtrak Passenger Rail Stations Museums Trolleys High Speed Rail Commuter Trains
My articles / videos related to Midwest High Speed Rail Association
Chatham Railroad Museum History
Midwest High Speed Rail Association
Amtrak to promote trains as way to tour Illinois
Amtrak to resume using buses for passengers during rail work
Amtrak ridership up over last year despite rail work
Springfield IL Amtrak station renovations coming
Lot improvements key upgrade at Springfield IL Amtrak station
Renovation begins at Springfield Amtrak station
Officials cut ribbon on renovated Springfield IL Amtrak station
Amtrak has best March ever amid higher fuel prices
Amtrak reports 14 percent increase in Lincoln Service riders
Local Amtrak use jumps nearly 12 percent Springfield IL
Amtrak hits ridership record nationally, local numbers down slightly
Amtrak ridership up with busiest ever February
Railroad track closure inconveniences Amtrak riders
Carlinville, IDOT studying Amtrak station
‘Trails & Rails’ promotion aims at new tourism audience
Trails & Rails: Onboard Natural and Cultural Heritage Education
The Lincoln Service has a Trails & Rails program operating from St. Louis, Missouri to Springfield, Illinois and is operated by staff and volunteers of the Jefferson Expansion National Memorial. Another program is operated by the Lincoln Home National Historic Site from Springfield, IL and Chicago, IL.