(The following appeared on the Register-Mail website on August 2.)
GALESBURG, Ill. — BNSF Railway has notified Amtrak of a two-day delay in the start of an infrastructure improvement project in Western Illinois.
Because the track work, originally scheduled to begin Monday, will begin Wednesday,
Amtrak trains will be able to operate through the affected area on Monday and Tuesday. Train 382 will operate on the previously announced schedule set for the substitute motorcoach service between Quincy and Galesburg, via Macomb.
This service is operated by Amtrak on BNSF Railway under a contract with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
On weekdays starting Wednesday, Carl Sandburg, Train 381, the morning westbound train from Chicago, will operate on its normal schedule to Galesburg, where passengers will transfer to chartered buses for the Macomb and Quincy stations, arriving behind the normal train schedule. Train 381 will operate on its normal schedule on weekends. The project is scheduled to be completed Aug. 29.
Also beginning Wednesday, Carl Sandburg, Train 382, passengers for the evening eastbound train from Quincy will board chartered buses at Quincy and Macomb, departing ahead of the normal train schedule and transferring to the train at Galesburg.
From Galesburg, the train will operate 20 minutes behind its normal schedule. Train 382 will operate on its normal schedule on weekends.
Other services on the route, including the Chicago-Quincy Illinois Zephyr (Trains 380 and 383), are not affected by the work, which will replace about 22,000 railroad cross ties on 22 miles of trackage.
For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.