Exploring Illinois’ vast history and the interconnectedness of the state and railroads, there are fewer options better than an Amtrak Missouri River Runner day trip from iconic Chicago Union Station, the capital of American railroading, to the state’s capital city of Springfield and return. Each day, the Missouri River Runner departs from Union Station, located at 225 South Canal Street, for its trek to Springfield through a blended offering of urban and suburban railroading and farmland crossings.
The train’s initial departure from Chicago isn’t fast paced, as the Missouri River Runner weaves through several complicated railroad interlockings that host dozens of freight and passenger trains each day. After crossing the South Branch of the Chicago River, the train diverts to the southwest, following the BNSF Railway. In this early segment of the journey, passengers can enjoy – and appreciate – the co-existence of passenger and freight rail service as the Missouri River Runner passes along busy sidings and intermodal hubs that are integral to the handling and transport of consumer goods from across the nation. The first half-hour of the journey navigates through much of Chicago’s industrial scene and fans of the rail will inevitably pass several BNSF Railway freight trains on the approach to Summit, Ill., and thereafter, Joliet, Ill.
After departing Joliet, southwest of Chicago about 50 minutes after leaving Union Station, the Missouri River Runner passengers will notice a transition from warehousing, logistics, and industrial hubs to rural areas characteristic of Illinois outside the nation’s third largest city – Chicago. Leaving Joliet behind, the Missouri River Runner follows the freight rail-owned Union Pacific Joliet and Springfield subdivisions. This freight route is part of the former Chicago and Alton Railroad, which would be absorbed by the more widely known Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. On this route, the train serves the communities of Dwight, Pontiac, and Bloomington, Ill. When on-time, the Missouri River Runner typically serves Bloomington at 11:43 a.m. local time, before continuing to Springfield.
Current timetable schedules call on the Missouri River Runner to arrive in Springfield at 12:44 p.m. local time, covering around 200 miles since departing Chicago Union Station three hours prior. The Springfield station’s origins date back to 1895 when constructed by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. The station served the railroad’s flagship passenger train, the Alton Limited, between Chicago and St. Louis. The Baltimore & Ohio’s Abraham Lincoln was another notable train to provide service to this station, during the brief stent in which the Baltimore & Ohio had control of the former Chicago and Alton. The Midnight Special also served the station, an overnight train between St. Louis and Chicago. The Gulf Mobile & Ohio would operate its renderings of these notable trains until Amtrak’s inception re-drew passenger rail service in the region.
Today and in addition to one southbound and one northbound Missouri River Runner, the station serves four Amtrak Illinois trains, the daily Texas Eagle, and four daily Lincoln Service trains. The station is slated to close in 2025 when the city’s new Springfield-Sangamon Transportation Center opens. Springfield station is located at 100 South Third Street in the core of the city’s downtown area. It is two blocks from the state’s Old State Capitol located at 526 East Adams Street. The former state capitol building, now open for guided tours, is the fifth capitol building to be erected for the state of Illinois and is notable for serving as the candidacy announcement landmark of Abraham Lincoln in 1858 and Barack Obama in 2007. It served as the capitol building from 1840 until 1876. Today’s State Capitol Building is six blocks to the south and west of the historic landmark at 401 South Second Street.
Due to the Springfield station’s proximity to downtown, renting a vehicle or relying on a rideshare program is not necessary, and several nationally recognizable landmarks can be enjoyed by walking to them. In addition to the former capitol building, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site is five blocks east, and an additional four blocks south of the station. Other noteworthy attractions, also within foot travel of the station, include the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, and the Dana Thomas House.
The afternoon layover between Missouri River Runner trains is approximately four hours with the northbound Missouri River Runner No. 318 scheduled to depart at 4:51 p.m. local time. The allows enough time for a quick lunch and an adequate amount of sightseeing but, do remain cognizant of the passing time to ensure connections can be met to return to Chicago. When on-time, the northbound Missouri River Runner returns to downtown Chicago at 8:25 p.m. local time.
Tips & Recommendations:
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack light, as Springfield can be enjoyed primarily on-foot without the need to arrange alternative transportation upon de-training.
• If a fan of photography, Springfield’s station offers something like street-running, in which trains operate alongside downtown streets, making for a unique photo opportunity summarizing your experience.
The railroad Lincoln Service trains use between 21st Street and just north of Joliet Union Station is CN, not BNSF.