Texas Eagle Detour - 11/17/2014

[manchacrr]

According to Amtrak's Service Alerts page on their website, the Eagle will be detouring both north- and southbound between Chicago and St. Louis on November 17th (Monday). What is the detour that the train takes?

 

[Bob Dylan]

According to Amtrak's Service Alerts page on their website, the Eagle will be detouring both north- and southbound between Chicago and St. Louis on November 17th (Monday). What is the detour that the train takes?

The Eagle is rerouted on the old C &EI Route that MoPac acquired to be able to run to Chicago.It now belongs to UP and has moderate freight traffic. It runs through Amish Farm Country in a very rural area, makes no stops, and is on Slow orders most of the way!It approaches STL from the East through East St. Louis, then crosses the Mississippi into the Intermodel Station in downtown St. Louis.(same route Northbound just reversed)

 

[manchacrr]

What are the chances that, with the detour southbound, I would make the connection to the 11:00pm bus to Carbondale to catch the CONO if I tried?

 

[Steve4031]

Ive ridden the detour several times. I was about an hour late each time. The train runs non stop at about 60-70 mph. There is a crew change at villa grove. Most of the slow Running is through the south side of Chicago.

 

[manchacrr]

Is the detour worth it to take?

 

[Steve4031]

If you are a railfan and like rare mileage, yes. Scenery is the same. Corn fields.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Is the detour worth it to take?

If its not winter and the huge farms arent covered in snow seeing them along with the Amish buggies, folks waving @ the train etc is sort of neat! Except for Springfield there's not a lot to see on the Regular Route so why not, its new ( old)mileage!

 

[manchacrr]

Thanks for all the information! I decided to go ahead and book the round-trip with AGR Points. Just one more question. What is the thruway bus like between Carbondale and St. Louis?

 

[Steve4031]

A bus is a bus and bus spelled backwards is sub as in sub standard. Expect cramped seating with no leg room. Maybe it won't be crowded and you wil get two seats to your self.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

A bus is a bus and bus spelled backwards is sub as in sub standard. Expect cramped seating with no leg room. Maybe it won't be crowded and you wil get two seats to your self.

I like that! Very well said!

 

[manchacrr]

Luckily it will only be a short bus ride. It's only about 2 hours from CDL to STL.