PASSENGER TRAINS
PAST AND PRESENT
Information on present and classic stations in America's larger cities, including brief histories, their locations, and with zoomable Google Maps. Included for the largest cities are sample departures and arrivals of trains during various eras. Also included are links to Web sites revealing what has become of some of these classic stations.
Information on passenger trains throughout America, in existence during the 1930's 1940's and 1950's. Most notably, including schedules and consists of the many streamlined passenger trains throughout America during that time period. As well as the diesel locomotives operating in passenger service, which replaced the steam locomotives previously in operation.
Prior to Amtrak's creation in 1971, many private railroads operated passenger trains in and out of Chicago. Chicago continues as Amtrak's main hub outside the Northeast Corridor.
Changes, additions and discontinuances of Amtrak trains since 1971.
Zoomable Google Maps show the most interesting locations throughout the country where Amtrak trains switch between different lines. Whether track consolidations due to one railroad's merger, or switching between different railroads in order to best form a national passenger rail system.
Besides Chicago, commuter trains have a long history of serving the major cities in the Northeastern United States, as well as San Francisco. Most of those commuter operations remain intact, although service was eventually discontinued over various marginal lines or branches.
Many additional cities have had minor commuter operations, all of which were eventually discontinued. Included are sample timetables for these obscure operations.
Known discontinued railroad stations in Chicago, and much of nearby Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Amtrak Schedules - Present
Link to Official Amtrak Web Site.