Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg
The Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg are a pair of passenger trains operated by Amtrak on a 258-mile (415 km) route between Chicago and Quincy, Illinois. As Illinois Service trains, they are partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Between Chicago and Galesburg, Illinois, the trains share their route with the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief; the remainder of the route (Galesburg–Quincy) is served exclusively by the Illinois Zephyr/Carl Sandburg.
Overview
Partially operating
- November 14, 1971 (Illinois Zephyr)
- October 30, 2006 (Carl Sandburg)
8
258 miles (415 km)
4 hours, 21 minutes[2]
Two daily round trips
380–383
Reserved Coach and Business Class
Airline-style coach seating
On-board café
4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
The Illinois Zephyr is the longest continuously operated state-sponsored train, having started in November 1971.[3]: 241 The Carl Sandburg was added as the route's second daily round trip in 2006.
During fiscal year 2023, the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg carried a combined 114,521 passengers, a 14.7% decrease over fiscal year 2022.[4] The two trains had a total revenue of $10.5 million in fiscal year 2021, a 9.5% decrease over fiscal year 2014.[5]
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