Most likely Springfield Illinois bridge / underpass work on 9th street. Not sure why Amtrak management hasn't been able to after multiple years make better contingency plans for ongoing track work / upgrades in Illinois. Not sure why - like they did in past they won't run trains to Normal and then bus to Springfield and further South. Buses that Amtrak charters are pure garbage and offer an absolutely horrible ride. Not as rough as a ride on Hoosier State going to Indy - but close.
Odd that they cancelled whole route and not just parts. In past - they have done a full cancel then a few days before "restored" partial service.
Amtrak management still doesn't get that if people book a train they want to ride a train NOT a bus!! There is a reason they booked their journey with Amtrak.
After reading local newspaper about work coming up - I had been waiting for this bad news. It came today with multiple phone calls and emails.
Amtrak with the lack of a clue or concern in regards to quality customer service - has just ruined a trip I booked and have wanted to take for years.
I've now had to spend more money - will have to drive and get a hotel night before - just to have my land cruise be all on a train - not some crappy bus.
My trip to Chicago coming up to catch Southwest Chief totally screwed. Coming home from Chicago after Empire Builder ride - again totally screwed. Does anyone on Amtrak's side give a damn that several years of bad planning on their part has screwed a dream excursion for me? You can guarantee they do not.
There constant lack of giving a damn about customer experience inside Chicago management has caused a lot more passenger ill will than higher ups realize. It is obvious they don't sit in station often and actually listen to customers.
Grant if our new Governor hadn't put a hold on previously financed Illinois East West route my situation would be slightly better - but not by much.
Railroad underpass construction to shut down part of Ninth Street for a month Springfield IL
No E-voucher with partial refund offered etc. I'm still being charged full Business Class fare for less quality ride and even less service than Amtrak usually offers. I'll wait a few days to fully cancel that portion of trip. Seriously considered just cancelling my whole journey.
"rebook to the Texas Eagle"?
That looked cancelled through my part of Illinois when I looked earlier - they normally reroute when track work takes place. Timing wouldn't work for me anyway - unless I went up to Chicago day before and booked a hotel.
