(The following article by Andrea Hahn was posted on the Southern Illinoisian website on November 18.)
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A small fire that damaged an electronic panel at the Carbondale Amtrak station won’t impact holiday travel, an Amtrak spokesman said Thursday.
Marc Magliari, speaking for Amtrak, said damaged equipment from a small fire at the station on Wednesday night has already been replaced and the passenger train service is in running order.
Carbondale firefighters were dispatched to the train station at about 9 p.m. and were on the scene for about 30 minutes, a spokesman for the fire department said.
Magliari said the day before Thanksgiving is typically Amtrak’s busiest travel day, with passenger numbers expected to spike systemwide at 125,000 passengers on Nov. 23. According to the railway, that is about 80 percent more passengers than an average Wednesday.
Chicago’s Union Station is expected to be a hub of holiday travel. Magliari said trains to and from Chicago have been lengthened to accommodate more holiday travelers.
Amtrak offered a few tips for holiday passengers, including buying tickets early, having required identification and arriving at the station at least 45 minutes before departure.