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News Letter Index |
National Train Day
May 9, 2009
Chicago Trip
We left St. Louis on Amtrak Lincoln Service #303 at 6:40AM and arrived in Union Station, Chicago at 12:40PM (only 20 minutes late.) We met Harold who took us to one of the control rooms where you could see all the inbound/outbound trains on computer monitors. Fort Worth, TX controls all the movements but it is monitored also here in Chicago.
We looked around at several of the exhibits in the main hall as well as passing out several (over 100) of our own brochures to people. Jim Greathouse was in his conductor's uniform so he got a lot of questions. (like does this train go to Springfield etc. as well as questions about the WF&P)
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Harold introduced us to Amtrak Conductor, Amanda Arnold who was greeting visitors and telling them about Amtrak. It didn't take long before they were comparing their switch key collections. There were tables with products for sale, informational booths of various railroad related organizations including the Illinois Railroad Museum of which Harold is a long time member of, music bands and some operating model trains. We talked with various booths then moved on the the full size equipment on display from Amtrak as well as a private individual. Amtrak was introducing there remodeled dining cars and menus. |
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We also got to walk through a couple of privately owned cars. One was a sleeper and one was a business car.
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Harold took us to a local german restaurant favorite of his called the Berghoff later in the afternoon and then back to the station to catch our trains home. Harold took the Metra while we took Amtrak. |
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Harold (and several long time members) will be at the WF&P on Sunday, May 17th for a reunion. Here is Harold buying his ticket at Chicago Amtrak  |
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We were all wondering if this was a private sleeping room for Bob Percival.
