Rail enthusiasts often lament the bygone golden years of rail travel in the United States; however, you can still hop aboard a train and spend the night in a historic Pullman car in Illinois. All it takes is a little creativity and a ride from a friendly Lyft or Uber driver.
Start your adventure by boarding the Illinois Zephyr or Carl Sandburg Train - both operated by Amtrak - in the charming Mississippi River city of Quincy.
Raúl Morales/Google Amtrak Quincy Station, Wismann Lane, Quincy, IL, USA
From there, you’ll climb the majestic, forested river bluffs and roll out onto the prairies and valleys of western Illinois.
Brian Lee/Google
You’ll pass through the quaint city of Macomb, home to Western Illinois University.
Dr Mohammad Shamsuddoha/Google Enjoy views of Chandler Park and the town’s handsome Courthouse Square as you roll in.
From there, the historic town of Galesburg will greet you as roll north and east across the fields and forests.
James Zaworski/Google
Look for Kewanee as you pass through.
Seth Arnold/Google
Once you roll into Princeton, a couple hours into the journey, start preparing to disembark.
jeffreylorenzi j. lorenzi/Google
You’re getting off the train at Plano’s historic depot, while the train continues on its journey to Chicago’s Union Station.
Jacob Roberts/Google Once in Plano, you’ll need to arrange transportation to your next destination, which is a mile or so from the depot. Plano, IL Station, West Main Street, Plano, IL, USA
You’re heading to the Historic Pullman Train Car “Constitution” to spend the night.
Management/Airbnb Be sure to make a reservation on Airbnb ahead of time.
The current owners have sited the historic Pullman on a waterfront lot in Plano and now offer it up for nightly rental.
Management/Airbnb
You’ll enjoy a spacious, comfortable accommodation - much more so than the rail passengers of old did - while sleeping in a historic Pullman car.
Management/Airbnb
Spend some time exploring Plano before continuing on to Chicago or returning to Quincy on the next day’s train. Visit Amtrak’s website for timetables, and route information, and to purchase your tickets. Clearly, you don’t have to depart from Quincy. You could start from the other direction in Chicago, or begin your journey from any of the other stops along the line.
Raúl Morales/Google
Amtrak Quincy Station, Wismann Lane, Quincy, IL, USA
Brian Lee/Google
Dr Mohammad Shamsuddoha/Google
Enjoy views of Chandler Park and the town’s handsome Courthouse Square as you roll in.
James Zaworski/Google
Seth Arnold/Google
jeffreylorenzi j. lorenzi/Google
Jacob Roberts/Google
Once in Plano, you’ll need to arrange transportation to your next destination, which is a mile or so from the depot.
Plano, IL Station, West Main Street, Plano, IL, USA
Management/Airbnb
Be sure to make a reservation on Airbnb ahead of time.
Prairie State rail enthusiasts should also be sure to plan a visit to the Illinois Railway Museum – the country’s largest – in Union, which is located between Chicago and Rockford.
Have you ridden the Illinois Zephyr or Carl Sandburg Train? What are some other scenic railway trips in the Land of Lincoln?
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