26th.
Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 will operate The Galesburg Zephyr between Union Station and Galesburg, Illinois for the Galesburg Railroad Days. These all-day, roundtrip excursions will feature vintage passenger cars from the 1940s and 50s and include accommodations in standard coach, deluxe coach, and first class and dome car. Passengers will enjoy a three-hour layover at the festival.
Tickets can be ordered online at fortwaynerailroad.org or by calling 888-718-4253. Additional information and frequently asked questions can be read at fortwaynerailroad.org/faq. Information and a schedule of events and attractions for the Galesburg Railroad Days can be read at galesburgrailroaddays.org.
The Galesburg Zephyr, a 16 car excursion train, is a nod to the fleets of passenger trains that the Burlington Route operated “EVERYWHERE WEST” starting in the 1930’s. The Burlington Route was an early innovator in diesel locomotives, stainless steel passenger cars and the development of the dome car with superior visibility. This train will carry two vintage dome cars from the 1950’s.
In order to accommodate passengers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, an additional passenger stop will also be made both days at the Amtrak station in
Naperville, Illinois. The trips are being operated in concert with Amtrak and BNSF Railway — a first for the railroad historical society. There will be an Amtrak diesel locomotive on the train, primarily to generate electricity for the lighting and air conditioning on the
passenger cars.
“These trips represent our first partnership with Amtrak and BNSF to bring the magic of the 765 to thousands of people,” said Bill Otter, president of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. “Passengers aboard this trip will be the first to experience the 765 at high-speed in many years.”
— A Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society news release. May 25, 2016.
I’m definitely on board! Just don’t know where I’ll be boarding yet.
Really happy to bad I won’t be able to see this trip maybe my brother can film it for me.
Are you freaking kidding me? Awesome!!
Definitely going to be the highlight of the summer! I’m already planning my day in Galesburg around the arrival/departure times…
According to the 765 website, the consist will include a number of Amtrak coaches, as well as private cars which are Amtrak approved. One consist I saw stated that an Amtrak diesel will be on the train to provide HEP.
The vintage passenger cars from the 40s and 50s must have been upgraded to conform to AMTRAK’s electric requirements. Anyone know if any of the old AMTRAK baggage cars turned generator cars survived? They were used on the NEC to provide head-end power when GG1s were hauling Amfleet equipment.