Learned something this am. I live in Fort Wayne, In and had no idea that there was train service from Indy to Chi! The train is Iowa Pacific and operated by Amtrak---gosh even has a full dinning car, observation car, "scenery cars" appears to run on part of the old Monon Line? My wife asked when are we going to ride!! In fact my wife pointed out the small article in the morning paper this morning! Really considering to put together a consist of small nature.
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I love this train! It is the BEST way to get from Indy to Chicago. Even though I live nearer to Indy, I board in Crawfordsville. Why? In Crawfordsville, there is FREE parking at the station which is across the street from the police department. The walk from train to car is short which is good in adverse weather conditions.
Indianapolis? Park where you can find a spot and pray your car is there when you return. The thought of getting off a train in downtown Indianapolis at Midnight, without my gun, NO WAY! I've been around here way too long and am far too smart for that.
My friends are always telling me to drive because its quicker; and it is by a hour. But, I'm the guy who gets to drive every inch of the way and fight the traffic and pay to park the car. NO WAY. My driving in Chicago days were over in the mid-1980s as I got "caught" one time in downtown Chicago in rush hour (4:30 P.M.) I said to myself: "NEVER AGAIN!" and I have held true to my word.
The train is so nice and enjoyable! Twice I took groups of 20 to 30 some odd people with me. We had the time of our lives! I highly recommend this train. We do it as a day trip. It gets to Chicago at 10:30 A.M. (Central) after departing Crawfordsville at 6:58 A.M. (eastern). The return out of Chicago is 5:45 P.M. (Central) and Crawfordsville arrival at 10:00 P.M. (eastern). My personal experience, this train will be late returning to Crawfordsville. Plan on getting there an hour later so you won't be surprised.
Unlike the days when the railroads owned the passenger service and passengers had PRIORITY, Amtrak (Iowa Pacific holdings) is at the mercy of the freight railroads who provide trackage rights. It is VERY BUSY at/near Chicago.
BEST ADVICE: GET COMFORTABLE. ENJOY THE RIDE. TAKE YOUR TIME. It is great fun.
Indiana has/is getting a new governor?
Dominic Mazoch posted:Indiana has/is getting a new governor?
One would think so, since the Indiana Governor was recently sworn in as the current Vice President of the United States!
Yes, despite having only a few months to launch a campaign after Mike Pence stepped down to run for Vice President, Eric Holcomb cruised to an easy victory over his Democratic rival in the November election. Ironically, Holcomb had only been the Lieutenant Governor since February, when he was appointed to fill the post after the previous LG left to re-enter the public sector. Just in case anyone wondered, the changes at the state capital have nothing to do with the changes to the Hoosier State train.
There has to be a reason IP dropped out of the service.
Amtrak should have kept all of the ex EMPIRE BUILDER full domes!
BUT, can you get to the Wheaton fairgrounds (trainshow) by train from wherever that dumps you in "Chicago"? No station for passenger rail transport there within walking distance of FG, so you are back to a rental car, or not?
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