Amtrak abruptly cancels Chicago-Quincy round trip for a week

By Bob Johnston | July 30, 2024



Train No. 381, the westbound Carl Sandburg, leaves Chicago for Quincy, Ill., on the morning of July 20, 2024. Amtrak has cancelled this round trip on the route through Aug. 6 due to a “high shop count.” Bob Johnston

CHICAGO — Amtrak has cancelled one of two daily round trips between Chicago and Quincy, Ill., as of today (Thursday, July 30) and at least through Wednesday, Aug. 7.

So far, the only acknowledgement on Amtrak’s website is that the affected Carl Sandburg trains during the period are shown as “sold out.” Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari tells Trains News Wire that alternate transportation is being provided for already-ticketed passengers, and that the trains are not running due to a “high shop count.” In such extended busing situations, the company opts to restrict future sales rather estimate motor coach capacity that will be needed. This practice also allows service to be restored if that becomes possible during the scheduled outage.

The cancelled morning outbound and evening inbound trains to and from Quincy, Nos. 381 and 382, are some of the most lightly patronized of all the Chicago-based state-sponsored frequencies.

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