WHEN THINGS GO SOUTH: Riding Amtrak's Lincoln Service

[@eg8946]

Similar thing happened to me on the night of May 24th, 2024 on the Lincoln Service as I was headed to Springfield. Someone was hit by a freight train earlier in the day and the FRA was still investigating. The incident happened south of Springfield station but Amtrak wouldn't pull the train into the station and stopped about 60 meters away from it. This resulted in a 4 hour delay as everyone wanting to get off at Springfield was angry since the station was so close. Amtrak later cancelled the train and those going to St. Louis were bussed. Amtrak later gave me a $25 voucher and a snack pack on the train while fellow passengers where playing card games to pass the time. I'm glad Amtrak actually pulled into the station this time.

[@JustATeenageRailfan]

Sadly Amtrak #7 was damaged in a wreck recently cool that you got to see it first!

[@Petetornado]

NGL It’s kinda funny how the Thumbnail works with the Title SO WELL!!

[@markfisher1392]

Yes, Jefferson Street is a major east-west thoroughfare through Springfield (one-way west through the center of town). I've had to wait on numerous occasions while Amtrak makes their regular stops there, so the drivers undoubtedly appreciated the pull-forward move. On another note, I'd never heard the Ogilvie Transportation Center pronounced "Ogg-il-vee" before -- it was named after former Illinois governor Richard B Ogilvie (pronounced "Oh-gil-vee") -- one of the post-1961 Illinois governors to avoid jail time for some offense!

[@jasoncassady6286]

Have had this happen to me on Amtrak Cascades a variety of times on the service between Seattle and Bellingham ~ very unfortunate, never been directly on the train when it happens, but still frightening nonetheless. These kind of incidents are also super common on the Sounder corridor between Seattle and Tacoma as well, sadly.

[@luzmalara5584]

Sadly, Suicide by train has become very common! I experienced it myself in 2018, just as the train (a northbound Californian) was pulling into the Fresno Station. The method? Intentionally kneeling in front of the locomotive, seconds before. Two hour delay, and of course, the crew had to be removed from service!

[@Chathamrailfan]

The person that was hit was hit out near Auburn, Illinois, it was ruled a suicide because the person had their head on the tracks according to police and I assume the Union Pacific.

[@luzmalara5584]

Thanks My Friend for the posting! Perhaps you saw/heard me playing my 🎺Cornet in the Stars and Stripes🇺🇸Park on the south side of the train (left on your trip). That's located on the edge of Chicago, about a mile (east) before the Summit Station. I'm very happy that you told the truth about the new Venture Cars! So far, all I've seen posted are ooh's and ahh's and how wonderful the Ventures are! The rigidity of the seats is horrible, and as you mention, the lighting is too intense for travel. Are there any airliners that intense, when it comes to lighting? But the Venture equipment is new, and reminds me of the saying - "it's on the internet, so it's got to be better!" It seems again, people designing this equipment, are not riding the cars!! I'd ❤love❤ to hear Your opinion about the Metra train seats you rode versus the Venture cars. I believe even your Metra seat was more comfortable then the Amtrak Venture seats that evening. Glad you got to ride in a Horizon, coachseat! Those seats, and car lighting, still look great and definitely nicer than the new Venture. Glad you included the Metra "Wheaton" locomotive. I run model trains at the DuPage County fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois and have a monthly KZbin posting. Let me know if you're ever traveling on the Lincoln Service line again. I'll be happy to give you an external video shot from The Stars🇺🇸and Stripes park, Summit station (sometimes local Canadian National freight switching blocks a clear shot of the mainlines from the park), or from the Harlem Avenue overpass. Sincerely, Nathan from Chicago🇺🇸

[@muhammadraza9163]

Nice

[@davidharris2519]

i think it was in Virden where the guy met his demise

[@jasonmoors1191]

$15 bucks for a trip to Springfield! What a bargain! I'm thinking the train was held at Springfield because of police investigative activity down the line--it never did clear Jefferson St so am wondering if the city can fine Amtrak for blocking a major street after a certain time limit. Was there any time saving taking the CTA and Metra vs just staying on the Blue Line all the way into the Loop? I'm hoping one day the CTA can offer express Blue Line runs to the Loop--would require some fancy footwork routing the express runs around the all-stops runs. Great videography in the Horizon coach--gorgeous sunset and none of that green tint that Metra has. What's the drive time to Champaign from Springfield airport?

[@davidharris2519]

about 100 or so miles

[@peoriavideosltd6822]

I missed where (or if?) you told what was controversial about the new equipment.

[@ASAviation]

@@peoriavideosltd6822 it was basically my take on how the seats are too rock solid and the coach lighting is harsh. Not easy to sleep in at all on the night trips

[@NormanAllen-ps9ju]

Our right-of-ways are not protected so with trespassers, grade crossings, and freight trains Amtrak just doesn't have a chance !

[@RESTOREMADAMQUEENYOUCOWARDS]

NO WONDER SOMETHING WENT WRONG! THE ENGINE IN VIDEO IS NUMBER 69!

[@BigChillingGoingDown]

This was such a well done trip report. You really have a talent for this. Beautifully shot video, too. My only critique; no audio of the F40. Looking forward to the next video.

[@Thunder_6278]

For any trip on Amtrak, low expectations should be the norm. Do not expect; good food, comfortable seating, clean bathrooms, attentive staff, on time performance.

[@SignalMan9292]

You got unlucky. It was pulled by #69

[@Petetornado]

IK It works with the title SO WELL!

[@theflyingduckman3608]

I refuse the ride the San Joaquin train now because they are switching to the Venture cars with these seats. Also the Venture sets on the route have no Cafe car.

[@railfanlynx]

heheheh 69