CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Amtrak, IC, I&M, UP & NS - Terre Haute IN - Springfield IL - Part 2

Rail Fan Adventure --

On Monday, September 22, we planned to tour the Lincoln sites in Springfield. First however, I wanted to shoot the s/b Amtrak “Lincoln Service” train No. 301 that was due to arrive at 10:15 AM. In R. R. Wallin’s color book on the Gulf Mobile & Ohio, he photographed a GM&O s/b passenger train crossing an overpass with the Illinois State Capitol in the background. We had scouted out the streets downtown, and the shot was still there.

29. The warm-up act was this n/b UP ballast train behind 4693-6959. Springfield IL.
n/b UP ballast train behind 4693-6959. Springfield IL.

30. UP ballast hopper car 921013. Springfield IL.
UP ballast hopper car 921013. Springfield IL.
31. UP ballast hopper 921148. This car was built by Kasgro. Never heard of ‘em. Springfield IL.
UP ballast hopper 921148. Springfield IL.
32. Notice the solar panels for automatic operation. UP ballast hopper 921035. Springfield IL.
UP ballast hopper 921035. Springfield IL.
It’s getting’ near 10:15. I hear a horn blowing for crossings on the north side of town. The Amtrak station is just north of this overpass. After a few minutes I hear a couple of toots, which I presume means that they are leaving town. Traffic is light to non-existent. I’m ready! Where is 301! I hear another horn blast. Sounds like it getting’ further away! More horn, same result.

Folks, I have no idea what happened to Amtrak 301! I’m not familiar with local operations, but obviously it went back north. Perhaps its schedule has been changed. Perhaps it backs out of town and takes another route. I’m at a loss. Springfield is the Bermuda Triangle of railroads!

33. Elizabeth and I walked through the historic Great Western Railroad depot where Lincoln boarded a train to Washington for his inauguration in 1861. See the attachments for more history. Now the line in front is NS’s former Wabash line. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL.
Great Western Railroad depot. Springfield IL.
34. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. View 2.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. View 2.
35. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL.Telegraph. View 3.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL.Telegraph. View 3.
36. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Time card. View 4.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Time card. View 4.

37. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Rail pass. View 5.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Rail pass. View 5.
38. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Inaugural journey map. View 6.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Inaugural journey map. View 6.
39. Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Train Bulletin. View 7.
Lincoln Depot Springfield IL. Train Bulletin. View 7.
After the assassination, Lincoln’s body was returned to Springfield at a depot on the location of the present Amtrak station.

The Amtrak Illinois Schedule can be viewed by clicking on the link; the two page Lincoln Depot brochure can be viewed by clicking on its link, and the two page Lincoln Farewell Address brochure can be viewed by clicking on its link. Enjoy.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young

last update - 07 Jan 2015