You're standing under the soaring, slightly chaotic ceiling of Chicago Union Station. It smells like popcorn and diesel. You've got a ticket in your hand—or more likely a QR code on your phone—for the chicago to springfield train. Most people think this is just a boring three-hour slog through cornfields. They're wrong. Honestly, it’s one of the most efficient ways to see the "real" Illinois without dealing with the white-knuckle stress of I-55 traffic or the soul-crushing experience of construction near Joliet.
Amtrak runs this route frequently. It’s part of the Lincoln Service and the Texas Eagle lines. But there’s a massive difference between just "taking the train" and actually doing it right. If you show up late or pick the wrong side of the car, you're basically sabotaging your own trip.
Speed, Tracks, and the 110 MPH Reality
For years, the talk of the town was high-speed rail. People were skeptical. They had every right to be. But here's the thing: it actually happened. Sorta.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Amtrak spent over a decade and billions of dollars upgrading the corridor. Now, the chicago to springfield train actually hits 110 mph on large stretches of the journey. It’s not the Shinkansen, but it’s a heck of a lot faster than it used to be. When you’re gliding past cars stuck in a bottleneck near Bloomington, you feel like a genius.
The Lincoln Service is your workhorse. It runs multiple times a day. Then you have the Texas Eagle. The Eagle is a long-distance train that starts in Chicago and heads all the way to San Antonio. Because it’s coming from the start of its line in Chicago, it’s usually on time leaving Union Station. Coming back from Springfield to Chicago? That’s where the Eagle gets dicey. Since it’s been traveling for two days from Texas, a delay in the Ozarks can mean you’re sitting on the platform in Springfield for three hours.
Stick to the Lincoln Service if you have a schedule to keep. It’s reliable. It’s local. It’s mostly predictable.
Inside the Car: Where to Sit and What to Eat
Don't just grab the first seat you see. If you’re heading south from Chicago, sit on the right side of the train. Why? You get the better views of the small-town architecture as you roll through places like Pontiac and Carlinville.
The new Siemens Venture cars are a game changer. They’re sleek. They have massive windows. The seats actually feel like they were designed for humans, not cardboard cutouts. They’ve got power outlets that actually work and individual reading lights.
- Pro Tip: The Café Car is located in the middle of the train.
- The Food Situation: Look, it’s Amtrak. You aren't getting a Michelin-starred meal. It’s mostly microwaved burgers, hot dogs, and those little plastic snack packs.
- The Coffee: It’s fine. It’s wet and caffeinated. If you're a coffee snob, grab a latte at the Metropolitan Lounge or one of the shops in Union Station before you board.
- Business Class: Is it worth the extra $20 or $30? Usually. You get a bit more legroom, a dedicated car that’s usually quieter, and a free non-alcoholic drink. Plus, the refund policy is way more flexible.
The WiFi Myth
Let’s be real for a second. Amtrak WiFi is... temperamental. It relies on cellular towers along the route. When you're zooming through the gaps between Dwight and Chenoa, your connection is going to drop. If you’re planning to do a high-stakes Zoom call on the chicago to springfield train, you’re living dangerously. Download your Netflix shows or your work spreadsheets before you leave the station. Treat the WiFi as a "nice to have," not a "must have."
The Stations: More Than Just Concrete
Chicago Union Station is a beast. If you haven't been there lately, the Great Hall is stunning. It’s where they filmed the baby carriage scene in The Untouchables. If you’re traveling Business Class or have a sleeper pod (though you don't need one for a 3-hour trip), use the Metropolitan Lounge. It’s a quiet oasis away from the crowds.
Then there’s the Springfield side. The station is located right in the heart of the city. You step off the train and you’re basically a short walk or a very quick Uber away from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Most people don't realize how walkable Springfield is once you get off that train. You don’t need a car. You can hit the Old State Capitol, Lincoln’s Home, and about five different horseshoe sandwich spots (we’ll get to those) without ever needing a steering wheel.
Why This Beats Driving Every Single Time
Driving I-55 is a special kind of hell. It’s flat. It’s grey. It’s full of semi-trucks that want to merge into your soul.
When you take the chicago to springfield train, the time is yours. You can read. You can nap. You can stare out the window and contemplate why Illinois has so many water towers.
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There’s also the cost factor. By the time you calculate gas, the inevitable "I need a snack" stop at a gas station, and the wear and tear on your car, the train usually wins. Especially if you book a couple of weeks in advance. Amtrak uses dynamic pricing. If you try to buy a ticket five minutes before departure on a Friday afternoon, you’re going to pay a premium. If you book early, you can sometimes snag a seat for $25.
Hidden Gems Along the Route
The train doesn't just teleport from the city to the capital. It stops.
Joliet is the first big one. You see the old prison walls—very Blues Brothers. Then you hit Summit, which is basically still Chicago. But once you pass Joliet, the landscape opens up.
Pontiac is actually pretty cool. You can see some of the Route 66 murals from the tracks. Bloomington-Normal is a huge stop because of Illinois State University. Expect a lot of students with oversized backpacks. This is usually the halfway point where the train empties out or fills up.
Tackling the "Horseshoe" Upon Arrival
If you took the chicago to springfield train and didn't eat a horseshoe, did you even go to Springfield?
For the uninitiated: a horseshoe is an open-faced sandwich. Usually, it’s two slices of toasted bread, a choice of meat (hamburger, ham, or even fried chicken), a mountain of french fries, and it’s smothered in a "secret" cheese sauce.
It is a caloric nightmare. It is also delicious. D'Arcy’s Pint is the legendary spot for this, but it’s a bit of a trek from the station. If you want to stay close to the tracks, Ritz's or many of the downtown pubs have versions that will satisfy the craving.
Logistics and Common Mistakes
People mess this up all the time. They think because it's a "local" train, they can show up 5 minutes before. Don't do that. Union Station is big. Boarding usually starts 20 to 30 minutes before departure.
- Check the Track: The monitors in the waiting area will tell you which gate.
- ID Requirements: Have your ID ready. They don't always check it, but when they do, they’re serious.
- Luggage: You can bring way more on a train than a plane. Two big bags and two carry-ons for free. No one is weighing your suitcase to the ounce.
- Quiet Car: If you're on a train that has a designated Quiet Car, respect it. No phone calls. No loud whispering. The regular passengers will turn on you like a pack of wolves if you start blathering on your speakerphone.
The Seasonal Factor
Winter in Illinois is no joke. Snow can slow the trains down, though usually, the rail is more resilient than the highways. The real beauty is in the autumn. The corn is high, the trees are turning, and the light hits the prairies in a way that makes the whole "Land of Lincoln" thing feel less like a license plate slogan and more like a real place.
Summer is humid. The AC on the Amtrak cars is usually blasting, so bring a light hoodie even if it's 90 degrees outside. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a freezing train car for three hours in shorts and a t-shirt.
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Future of the Route
There’s constant talk about adding more frequencies. The goal is to make the chicago to springfield train feel like a commuter rail service rather than a "trip." With the 110 mph upgrades finished, the focus is now on station improvements and better integration with local transit.
Is it perfect? No. Is it better than sitting in traffic behind a truck hauling hogs while you're squinting through a construction zone? Absolutely.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Book 14-21 days out: This is the "sweet spot" for the lowest fares on the Lincoln Service.
- Download the Amtrak App: It gives you real-time tracking. You’ll know if the train is delayed before the people at the station do.
- Pack a Power Strip: If you're traveling with a family, one outlet per seat isn't enough for the iPads, phones, and Nintendo Switches.
- Walk to the Statehouse: Once you arrive in Springfield, don't just grab a cab. Walk south. The architecture of the Illinois State Capitol is incredible, and the walk takes you through the historical heart of the city.
- Check the Texas Eagle Status: If you’re taking the southbound Eagle (Train 21), check its status while you're still at home. If it’s delayed coming into Chicago, it will be delayed going out.
The journey from the lakefront to the prairie is a rite of passage for any Illinoisan or visitor. It’s the easiest way to bridge the gap between the skyscrapers and the state's political soul. Grab a seat, find the right side of the car, and just enjoy the ride.