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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Illinois Zephyr'' and ''Carl Sandburg''}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width =
| box_width =
| name = ''Illinois Zephyr''
| name = ''Illinois Zephyr'' and ''Carl Sandburg''
| logo =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_width =
| image = Amtrak Train No. 383 the Illinois Zephyr pulled by AMTK 17.jpg
| image = Amtrak Train No. 383 the Illinois Zephyr pulled by AMTK 17.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| image_width = 300px
| caption = The ''Illinois Zephyr'', westbound on the BNSF Chicago subdivision.
| caption = The ''Illinois Zephyr'' westbound on the BNSF Chicago subdivision
| type = [[Inter-city rail]]
| type = [[Inter-city rail]]
| status =
| status =
| locale = [[Illinois]]
| locale = [[Illinois]]
| predecessor = [[American Royal Zephyr]] and [[Kansas City Zephyr]]
| predecessor = [[American Royal Zephyr]] and [[Kansas City Zephyr]]
| first = November 14, 1971
| first = {{Plainlist|
* {{Start date|1971|11|14}} (''Illinois Zephyr'')
* {{Start date|2006|10|30}} (''Carl Sandburg'')
⚫
}}
| last =
| last =
| successor =
| successor =
Line 21: Line 24:
| start = [[Union Station (Chicago)|Chicago, Illinois]]
| start = [[Union Station (Chicago)|Chicago, Illinois]]
| stops = 8
| stops = 8
| end = [[Quincy (Amtrak station)|Quincy, Illinois]]
| end = [[Quincy station (Amtrak)|Quincy, Illinois]]
| distance = {{convert|258|mi|km|0}}
| distance = {{convert|258|mi|km|0}}
| journeytime = 4 hours 28 minutes
| journeytime = 4 hours 22 minutes
| frequency = Daily
| frequency = Twice daily
| trainnumber = 380, 383
| trainnumber = 380-383
| class = Reserved Coach and Business Class
| class = Reserved Coach and Business Class
| access =
| access =
Line 45: Line 48:
| map_state =
| map_state =
}}
}}

The '''''Illinois Zephyr''''', running since 1971, is a 258-mile (415&nbsp;km) [[passenger train]] operated by [[Amtrak]], that runs between [[Chicago]] and [[Quincy, Illinois]]. The train is a part of the ''[[Illinois Service]]'' rail network and is partially funded by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]]. Between Chicago and [[Galesburg, Illinois]], this train service uses the same double track (BNSF, old CB&Q) as three other Amtrak routes: the ''[[California Zephyr]]'', the ''[[Southwest Chief]]'', and the ''[[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]''. The Galesburg to Quincy route (old CB&Q Quincy/Hannibal branch) is only served by the ''Illinois Zephyr'' and the ''Carl Sandburg''. The ''Illinois Zephyr'' is the "longest continuously operated state-sponsored train."<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|241}}
The '''''Illinois Zephyr''''' and '''''Carl Sandburg''''' are a pair of {{convert|258|mi|adj=on}} [[passenger train]]s operated by [[Amtrak]] that run between [[Chicago]] and [[Quincy, Illinois]]. The trains are a part of the ''[[Illinois Service]]'' rail network and are partially funded by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]]. Between Chicago and [[Galesburg, Illinois]], the services share the BNSF, (ex-CB&Q main line) with the ''[[California Zephyr]]'' and ''[[Southwest Chief]]''. The Galesburg to Quincy section (ex-CB&Q Quincy/Hannibal branch) is only served by the ''Illinois Zephyr'' and the ''Carl Sandburg''. Started in November 1971, the ''Illinois Zephyr'' is the "longest continuously operated state-sponsored train."<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|241}} The ''Carl Sandburg'' was added as a second daily round trip in 2006.


During [[fiscal year]] 2015, both the ''Illinois Zephyr'' and ''Carl Sandburg'' carried a combined 208,961 passengers, a 2.8% decrease over fiscal year 2014.<ref name="FY2015">{{cite web |title= Amtrak FY15 Ridership & Revenue |publisher= [[Amtrak]] |date= November 5, 2015 |url= http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Updated_FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_7-7-16.pdf |format= PDF |accessdate= November 30, 2016}}</ref> The two trains had a total revenue of [[US dollar|$]]5,287,029 in fiscal year 2015, a 4.2% decrease over fiscal year 2014.<ref name="FY2015"/>
During [[fiscal year]] 2015, both the ''Illinois Zephyr'' and ''Carl Sandburg'' carried a combined 208,961 passengers, a 2.8% decrease over fiscal year 2014.<ref name="FY2015">{{cite web |title= Amtrak FY15 Ridership & Revenue |publisher= [[Amtrak]] |date= November 5, 2015 |url= http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Updated_FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_7-7-16.pdf |format= PDF |accessdate= November 30, 2016}}</ref> The two trains had a total revenue of [[US dollar|$]]5,287,029 in fiscal year 2015, a 4.2% decrease over fiscal year 2014.<ref name="FY2015"/>
==Overview==
⚫
Service first began on November 14, 1971, between [[Chicago]] and [[West Quincy, Missouri]]. Passenger service was cut back to [[Quincy, Illinois]] on May 1, 1994, after a [[Great Flood of 1993|major flood in 1993]] destroyed the original station at West Quincy, The ''Illinois Zephyr'' and the ''[[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]'' trainsets continue to cross the [[Mississippi River]] to [[layover]] at the BNSF West Quincy railyard in between runs.


==History==
⚫
The ''Illinois Zephyr'' is a descendant of the ''[[Kansas City Zephyr]]'' and ''[[American Royal Zephyr]]'' passenger train routes operated by the [[Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad]] from 1953 until 1968 and 1971, respectively. The state of Illinois intervened in 1971 at the request of Quincy College (now [[Quincy University]]), [[Western Illinois University]], and residents of western Illinois. This became part of the "[[Illinois Service]]" initiative in 1971 and is partially funded by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]].<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|242}} The ''Illinois Zephyr'' was never extended to either [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] or Kansas City from [[Quincy, Illinois]]. Amtrak's ''[[Southwest Chief]]'' already provided a Chicago-to-Kansas-City route, and the state of Missouri's "[[Missouri Service]]" only funded the extension of the ''Ann Rutledge'' to provide daily service between Kansas City and St. Louis with continuing services to Chicago via Springfield.
[[File:Kansas City Zephyr American Royal Zephyr.JPG|thumb|left|Postcards of the ''Kansas City Zephyr'' and ''American Royal Zephyr'', predecessors to the ''Illinois Zephyr'']]
⚫
The ''Illinois Zephyr'' is a descendant of the ''[[Kansas City Zephyr]]'' and ''[[American Royal Zephyr]]'' passenger train routes operated by the [[Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad]] from 1953 until 1968 and 1971, respectively. The state of Illinois intervened in 1971 at the request of Quincy College (now [[Quincy University]]), [[Western Illinois University]], and residents of western Illinois. This became part of the "[[Illinois Service]]" initiative in 1971 and is partially funded by the [[Illinois Department of Transportation]].<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|242}} Service on the ''Illinois Zephyr'' began on November 14, 1971, between [[Chicago]] and [[West Quincy, Missouri]]. The name "[[Zephyr (passenger train)|Zephyr]]" is preserved in the current name of the line. Today the ''Illinois Zephyr'' enjoys strong support from the communities it passes through, and is one of the most successful Amtrak routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcrnews.com/articles/2007/02/24/news/doc45dfce3398f31004084636.prt| title=More climb aboard| author=Gray, Jessica| date=February 24, 2007| accessdate=July 17, 2007| publisher=BCRNews.com}}</ref>

⚫
Service to Plano began on April 30, 1972. Service to Quincy proper began on April 24, 1983. The suburban stop at [[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]], was discontinued on April 28, 1985, in favor of Naperville.<ref name="sanders">{{Sanders-Heartland}}</ref>{{rp|251–252}} Passenger service was cut back to [[Quincy, Illinois]] on May 1, 1994, after a [[Great Flood of 1993|major flood in 1993]] destroyed the original station at West Quincy. The ''Illinois Zephyr'' and the ''Carl Sandburg'' trainsets continue to cross the [[Mississippi River]] to [[layover]] at the BNSF West Quincy railyard in between runs.


On October 30, 2006, a second round trip, the ''Carl Sandburg'' was added as part of the [[Midwest Regional Rail Initiative]]. The train's name honors [[Carl Sandburg]], whose [[Carl Sandburg State Historic Site|birthplace]] in [[Galesburg, Illinois]] lies just a few hundred feet from this train's route. The morning westbound/evening eastbound schedule complements the opposite schedule of the ''Illinois Zephyr''.
The name "[[Zephyr (passenger train)|Zephyr]]" is preserved in the current name of the line. Today the ''Illinois Zephyr'' enjoys strong support from the communities it passes through, and is one of the most successful Amtrak routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcrnews.com/articles/2007/02/24/news/doc45dfce3398f31004084636.prt| title=More climb aboard| author=Gray, Jessica| date=February 24, 2007| accessdate=July 17, 2007| publisher=BCRNews.com}}</ref> The communities promote the train line as the fastest means of getting to downtown Chicago, and train tickets are frequently sold-out. As such, the route is part of the [[Midwest Regional Rail Initiative]], which calls for an upgrade of service from the former 1 daily round trip to 4 or more daily round trips. The addition of the [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|''Carl Sandburg'']] train on October 30, 2006, was the first step in this ''Midwest Regional Rail Initiative'' service upgrade. The scheduled travel time from Chicago to Quincy, via the ''Illinois Zephyr'', has been 4 hours, 15 minutes.


During 2010, Amtrak contacted officials from communities in northeastern Missouri and western Illinois regarding the feasibility of extending the ''Illinois Zephyr'', plus ''Carl Sandburg'', southwards to [[Hannibal, Missouri]] and [[St. Louis]]. While a study for the expansion was not conducted, the project could be funded with a mix of both federal and state money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=527762|title=Hannibal rails for Amtrak|publisher=ConnectTristates.com|date=October 18, 2010|accessdate=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
During 2010, Amtrak contacted officials from communities in northeastern Missouri and western Illinois regarding the feasibility of extending the ''Illinois Zephyr'', plus ''Carl Sandburg'', southwards to [[Hannibal, Missouri]] and [[St. Louis]]. While a study for the expansion was not conducted, the project could be funded with a mix of both federal and state money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=527762|title=Hannibal rails for Amtrak|publisher=ConnectTristates.com|date=October 18, 2010|accessdate=October 19, 2010}}</ref>


⚫
==Route and stops==
== Timetable updates ==
The ''Illinois Zephyr'', formerly, ran as trains 347 (evening westbound) and 348 (morning eastbound) until October 30, 2006. On that date, the train numbers were changed, partially in anticipation of other expanded services: train 347 became train 383, and train 348 became train 380. Additionally, the ''[[Carl Sandburg (train)|Carl Sandburg]]'' service was added, running two new trains on the same route: train 381, a morning westbound, and train 382, an evening eastbound. This addition doubled the existing service.

⚫
==Station stops==
Amtrak's original ''Illinois Zephyr'' included a stop in [[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]], which would be discontinued on April 28, 1985, in favor of Naperville. Service to Plano began on April 30, 1972. Service to Quincy proper began on April 24, 1983.<ref name="sanders" />{{rp|251–252}}
[[File:Amtrak Carl Sandburg.svg|thumb|800px|center|<center>Amtrak Carl Sandburg / Illinois Zephyr route {{nowrap|([[ShareMap:public/Amtrak Carl Sandburg|interactive map]])}}]]
[[File:Amtrak Carl Sandburg.svg|thumb|800px|center|<center>Amtrak Carl Sandburg / Illinois Zephyr route {{nowrap|([[ShareMap:public/Amtrak Carl Sandburg|interactive map]])}}]]
{{Clear|left}}
{{Clear|left}}
Line 71: Line 73:
!Connections
!Connections
|-
|-
|rowspan=10|[[Illinois]]||[[Chicago]]||[[Union Station (Chicago)|Chicago Union Station]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Blue Water (train)|Blue Water]], [[Capitol Limited (Amtrak train)|Capitol Limited]], [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]], [[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]], [[California Zephyr]], [[City of New Orleans (train)|City of New Orleans]], [[Empire Builder]], [[Hiawatha Service]], [[Hoosier State (train)|Hoosier State]], [[Illini (Amtrak)|Illini]], [[Lake Shore Limited]], [[Lincoln Service]], [[Pere Marquette (Amtrak train)|Pere Marquette]], [[Saluki (Amtrak)|Saluki]], [[Southwest Chief]], [[Texas Eagle]], [[Wolverine (train)|Wolverine]], [[Thruway Motorcoach]]<br>'''[[List of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes|CTA Buses]]:''' 1, 7, 14, 19, 20, X20, X28, 56, 60, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 151, 156, 157, 192<br>'''[[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]]:''' M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7<br>'''[[Metra]]:''' [[North Central Service]], [[Milwaukee District/North Line]], [[Milwaukee District/West Line]], [[BNSF Railway Line]], [[Heritage Corridor]], [[SouthWest Service]]
|rowspan=10|[[Illinois]]||[[Chicago]]||[[Union Station (Chicago)|Chicago Union Station]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Blue Water (train)|Blue Water]], [[Capitol Limited (Amtrak train)|Capitol Limited]], [[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]], [[California Zephyr]], [[City of New Orleans (train)|City of New Orleans]], [[Empire Builder]], [[Hiawatha Service]], [[Hoosier State (train)|Hoosier State]], [[Illini (Amtrak)|Illini]], [[Lake Shore Limited]], [[Lincoln Service]], [[Pere Marquette (Amtrak train)|Pere Marquette]], [[Saluki (Amtrak)|Saluki]], [[Southwest Chief]], [[Texas Eagle]], [[Wolverine (train)|Wolverine]], [[Thruway Motorcoach]]<br>'''[[List of Chicago Transit Authority bus routes|CTA Buses]]:''' 1, 7, 14, 19, 20, X20, X28, 56, 60, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 151, 156, 157, 192<br>'''[[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]]:''' M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7<br>'''[[Metra]]:''' [[North Central Service]], [[Milwaukee District/North Line]], [[Milwaukee District/West Line]], [[BNSF Railway Line]], [[Heritage Corridor]], [[SouthWest Service]]
|-
|-
|[[La Grange, Illinois|La Grange]]||[[La Grange station|La Grange]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]<br>'''[[Metra]]: '''[[BNSF Railway Line]]<br>'''[[Pace (transit)|Pace]]:''' 302, 304, 330
|[[La Grange, Illinois|La Grange]]||[[La Grange station|La Grange]]||'''[[Metra]]: '''[[BNSF Railway Line]]<br>'''[[Pace (transit)|Pace]]:''' 302, 304, 330
|-
|-
|[[Naperville, Illinois|Naperville]]||[[Naperville station|Naperville]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]], [[Southwest Chief]]<br>'''[[Metra]]:''' [[BNSF Railway Line]]<br>'''[[Pace (transit)|Pace]]:''' 530, 676, 677, 678, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 714, 781
|[[Naperville, Illinois|Naperville]]||[[Naperville station|Naperville]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Southwest Chief]]<br>'''[[Metra]]:''' [[BNSF Railway Line]]<br>'''[[Pace (transit)|Pace]]:''' 530, 676, 677, 678, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 714, 781
|-
|-
|[[Plano, Illinois|Plano]]||[[Plano station|Plano]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]
|[[Plano, Illinois|Plano]]||[[Plano station|Plano]]||
|-
|-
|[[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]]||[[Mendota station|Mendota]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]], [[Southwest Chief]]
|[[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]]||[[Mendota station|Mendota]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Southwest Chief]]
|-
|-
|[[Princeton, Illinois|Princeton]]||[[Princeton station (Illinois)|Princeton]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]], [[Southwest Chief]]
|[[Princeton, Illinois|Princeton]]||[[Princeton station (Illinois)|Princeton]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Southwest Chief]]
|-
|-
|[[Kewanee, Illinois|Kewanee]]||[[Kewanee station|Kewanee]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]
|[[Kewanee, Illinois|Kewanee]]||[[Kewanee station|Kewanee]]||
|-
|-
|[[Galesburg, Illinois|Galesburg]]||[[Galesburg station (Amtrak)|Galesburg]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]], [[Southwest Chief]]<br>'''[[Burlington Trailways]]'''<br>'''[http://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/transit Galesburg Bus Transit]:''' Route 2.
|[[Galesburg, Illinois|Galesburg]]||[[Galesburg station (Amtrak)|Galesburg]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[California Zephyr]], [[Southwest Chief]]<br>'''[[Burlington Trailways]]'''<br>'''Galesburg Bus Transit:''' Route 2.
|-
|-
|[[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]]||[[Macomb station|Macomb]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]<br>'''[http://www.wiu.edu/student_services/go_west/ Go West Transit]: Routes 5, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19
|[[Macomb, Illinois|Macomb]]||[[Macomb station|Macomb]]||''' Go West Transit''': Routes 5, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19
|-
|-
|[[Quincy, Illinois|Quincy]]||[[Quincy station (Amtrak)|Quincy]]||'''[[Amtrak]]:''' [[Carl Sandburg (Amtrak)|Carl Sandburg]]<br>'''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120305191129/http://www.quincyil.gov/Transit/routes.htm Quincy Transit Lines]:''' Route 4
|[[Quincy, Illinois|Quincy]]||[[Quincy station (Amtrak)|Quincy]]||'''Quincy Transit Lines:''' Route 4
|}
|}


==Consist==
==Consist==
[[File:Carl Sandburg train.jpg|thumb|right|A typical ''Carl Sandburg'' in 2010]]
Today, a normal Amtrak ''Illinois Zephyr'' consists of:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/illinoiszephyr.htm|title=ILLINOIS ZEPHYR CARL SANDBURG|publisher=TrainWeb|accessdate=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
Today, a normal Amtrak ''Illinois Zephyr'' or ''Carl Sandburg'' consists of:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/illinoiszephyr.htm|title=ILLINOIS ZEPHYR CARL SANDBURG|publisher=TrainWeb|accessdate=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whig.com/20171114/amtrak-touts-new-locomotives-for-local-passengers#|title=Amtrak touts new locomotives for local passengers|publisher=The Whig|accessdate=November 14, 2017}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whig.com/20171114/amtrak-touts-new-locomotives-for-local-passengers#|title=Amtrak touts new locomotives for local passengers|publisher=The Whig|accessdate=November 14, 2017}}</ref>
*One [[Siemens Charger|Siemens SC-44 Charger]] or [[GE Genesis#P42DC|GE Genesis P42DC]] locomotive.
*One [[Siemens Charger|Siemens SC-44 Charger]] or [[GE Genesis#P42DC|GE Genesis P42DC]] locomotive.
Line 99: Line 102:
*Three to five [[Amfleet]] I or [[Horizon Fleet]] coaches
*Three to five [[Amfleet]] I or [[Horizon Fleet]] coaches
*One Amfleet I or Horizon fleet Cafe/Business class car.
*One Amfleet I or Horizon fleet Cafe/Business class car.
{{clear}}

== References ==
== References ==
⚫
{{reflist|30em}}
⚫
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
⚫
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="sanders">{{Sanders-Heartland}}</ref>
⚫
}}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
{{commons category multi|Illinois Zephyr|Carl Sandburg (train)}}
*[https://www.amtrak.com/illinois-services-train Amtrak – ''Illinois Service'']
*[https://www.amtrak.com/illinois-services-train Amtrak – ''Illinois Service'']


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[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Illinois]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Illinois]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1971]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1971]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2006]]

Revision as of 02:46, 22 July 2018

Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg
The Illinois Zephyr westbound on the BNSF Chicago subdivision
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleIllinois
PredecessorAmerican Royal Zephyr and Kansas City Zephyr
First service
  • November 14, 1971 (1971-11-14) (Illinois Zephyr)
  • October 30, 2006 (2006-10-30) (Carl Sandburg)
Current operator(s)Amtrak
Route
TerminiChicago, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Stops8
Distance travelled258 miles (415 km)
Average journey time4 hours 22 minutes
Service frequencyTwice daily
Train number(s)380-383
On-board services
Class(es)Reserved Coach and Business Class
Seating arrangementsAirline-style coach seating
Catering facilitiesOn-board café
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s)BNSF Railway
Route map
Legend
0 mi
 Chicago
Metra
14 mi
23 km
 La Grange
Metra
28 mi
45 km
 Naperville
Metra
DuPage River
38 mi
61 km
 Aurora
Bypassed 1983
Metra
Fox River
52 mi
84 km
 Plano
83 mi
134 km
 Mendota
104 mi
167 km
 Princeton
Hennepin Canal
131 mi
211 km
 Kewanee
162 mi
261 km
 Galesburg
Bus interchange
California Zephyr to Emeryville
Southwest Chief to Los Angeles
202 mi
325 km
 Macomb
258 mi
415 km
 Quincy
Illinois
Missouri
Mississippi River
 West Quincy
Closed 1994
This diagram:

The Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg are a pair of 258-mile (415 km) passenger trains operated by Amtrak that run between Chicago and Quincy, Illinois. The trains are a part of the Illinois Service rail network and are partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Between Chicago and Galesburg, Illinois, the services share the BNSF, (ex-CB&Q main line) with the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief. The Galesburg to Quincy section (ex-CB&Q Quincy/Hannibal branch) is only served by the Illinois Zephyr and the Carl Sandburg. Started in November 1971, the Illinois Zephyr is the "longest continuously operated state-sponsored train."[1]: 241  The Carl Sandburg was added as a second daily round trip in 2006.

During fiscal year 2015, both the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg carried a combined 208,961 passengers, a 2.8% decrease over fiscal year 2014.[2] The two trains had a total revenue of $5,287,029 in fiscal year 2015, a 4.2% decrease over fiscal year 2014.[2]

History

Postcards of the Kansas City Zephyr and American Royal Zephyr, predecessors to the Illinois Zephyr

The Illinois Zephyr is a descendant of the Kansas City Zephyr and American Royal Zephyr passenger train routes operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad from 1953 until 1968 and 1971, respectively. The state of Illinois intervened in 1971 at the request of Quincy College (now Quincy University), Western Illinois University, and residents of western Illinois. This became part of the "Illinois Service" initiative in 1971 and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.[1]: 242  Service on the Illinois Zephyr began on November 14, 1971, between Chicago and West Quincy, Missouri. The name "Zephyr" is preserved in the current name of the line. Today the Illinois Zephyr enjoys strong support from the communities it passes through, and is one of the most successful Amtrak routes.[3]

Service to Plano began on April 30, 1972. Service to Quincy proper began on April 24, 1983. The suburban stop at Aurora, was discontinued on April 28, 1985, in favor of Naperville.[1]: 251–252  Passenger service was cut back to Quincy, Illinois on May 1, 1994, after a major flood in 1993 destroyed the original station at West Quincy. The Illinois Zephyr and the Carl Sandburg trainsets continue to cross the Mississippi River to layover at the BNSF West Quincy railyard in between runs.

On October 30, 2006, a second round trip, the Carl Sandburg was added as part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. The train's name honors Carl Sandburg, whose birthplace in Galesburg, Illinois lies just a few hundred feet from this train's route. The morning westbound/evening eastbound schedule complements the opposite schedule of the Illinois Zephyr.

During 2010, Amtrak contacted officials from communities in northeastern Missouri and western Illinois regarding the feasibility of extending the Illinois Zephyr, plus Carl Sandburg, southwards to Hannibal, Missouri and St. Louis. While a study for the expansion was not conducted, the project could be funded with a mix of both federal and state money.[4]

Route and stops

Amtrak Carl Sandburg / Illinois Zephyr route (interactive map)
State Town/City Station Connections
Illinois Chicago Chicago Union Station Amtrak: Blue Water, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, California Zephyr, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, Hiawatha Service, Hoosier State, Illini, Lake Shore Limited, Lincoln Service, Pere Marquette, Saluki, Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle, Wolverine, Thruway Motorcoach
CTA Buses: 1, 7, 14, 19, 20, X20, X28, 56, 60, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 151, 156, 157, 192
Megabus: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7
Metra: North Central Service, Milwaukee District/North Line, Milwaukee District/West Line, BNSF Railway Line, Heritage Corridor, SouthWest Service
La Grange La Grange Metra: BNSF Railway Line
Pace: 302, 304, 330
Naperville Naperville Amtrak: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief
Metra: BNSF Railway Line
Pace: 530, 676, 677, 678, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 714, 781
Plano Plano
Mendota Mendota Amtrak: Southwest Chief
Princeton Princeton Amtrak: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief
Kewanee Kewanee
Galesburg Galesburg Amtrak: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief
Burlington Trailways
Galesburg Bus Transit: Route 2.
Macomb Macomb Go West Transit: Routes 5, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19
Quincy Quincy Quincy Transit Lines: Route 4

Consist

A typical Carl Sandburg in 2010

Today, a normal Amtrak Illinois Zephyr or Carl Sandburg consists of:[5] [6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sanders, Craig (2006). Amtrak in the Heartland. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34705-3.
  2. ^ a b "Amtrak FY15 Ridership & Revenue" (PDF). Amtrak. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  3. ^ Gray, Jessica (February 24, 2007). "More climb aboard". BCRNews.com. Retrieved July 17, 2007.
  4. ^ "Hannibal rails for Amtrak". ConnectTristates.com. October 18, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  5. ^ "ILLINOIS ZEPHYR CARL SANDBURG". TrainWeb. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  6. ^ "Amtrak touts new locomotives for local passengers". The Whig. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
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