Illinois Zephyr has saved a couple of my excursions from a missed Chicago connection due to a late California Zephyr. It is fantastic Illinois supports rail as well as it does. :hi: And that I have that option to drop down to Galesburg, Il. Obviously there are more scenic short distance routes out there, but I have to be able to get there in the first place! Good ol reliable #380 gets my vote. 2 x 1 faux leather business class seating. Relax, connection made!
Being from the East, the farmland was always good a good view for me, beat pine trees. My Grandparents' farm could be seen from the train about 10 minutes east (Hollowayville, IL, pop. 90...SALUUUTE) of the Princeton stop. Back in the day I would enjoy seeing all of the CB&Q, then BN E-Units, laying over in Aurora.
In the early days of Amtrak the IZ saw numerous consists, CNW gallery cars, GN Blue Sky coaches, former CB&Q equipment and even superliners for a short stint. One of my better memories on the IZ was a Nun teaching me how to play poker.