Amtrak’s Lincoln Service offers three daily round-trip trains between Chicago, IL, and St. Louis, MO. This route covers 284 miles and provides a convenient and comfortable travel experience, ranging from 4.75 to 5 hours.
You’ll pass through popular Illinois stops, including Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, and Alton. Each features unique attractions and local charm.
This article provides essential information about the Lincoln Service, including the schedule, accommodation options, food choices, etc. Whether planning a trip from Chicago to St. Louis or any intermediate stops, this guide will ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Alternatives to this train
While the Lincoln Service may be a great train, an alternative could better fit your schedule. There are two options for the Lincoln Service; take a look at:
There are two alternatives for the Lincoln Service:
- Texas Eagle – Long-distance train
- Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service – regional train
Amtrak Lincoln Service: Seating Accommodations
This train provides two seating options.
Coach Class
Amtrak Lincoln Service provides coach seating.
- A foldable tray
- Individual reading lights.
- 120V electric outlets are standard, but some cars also feature USB chargers.
- If your bag is too heavy or won’t fit in the overhead compartment, you can store it under the seat in front of you. An in-car luggage rack is also available.
Business Class
Business class includes extra legroom and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, you have lounge access in Chicago Union for a fee and the St. Louis stations for free.
Additionally, Business Class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
Luggage
The Lincoln Service does not provide checked baggage service.
Carry-on
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
If you transfer to the Pacific Surfliner at some point along your journey, the baggage size for that train is up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each.
Charges apply for additional and oversized luggage; check out Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.
Add-ons for Amtrak Lincoln Service
Amtrak allows you to bring these things with you for a fee.
Bikes
You can take your bike with you. Here are the guidelines and Amtrak’s bike policy.
Golf clubs
If you are hitting the links, you can bring your golf clubs. Here are Amtrak’s golf club guidelines.
Pets and service animals
- Bring your cat or dog:
- Under 20 pounds with a carrier.
- Print and complete the necessary paperwork before packing the treats for the fur baby.
- Amtrak’s pet policy provides all the details and paperwork.
If you need to bring a service animal, please check out Amtrak’s service animal page, which also covers Amtrak’s distinction between service animals and comfort animals.
Ensure you bring your critter with you before you go to the station! Do not show up at a station with a pet without reading the pet, service, or support animal rules and regulations.
Food Aboard the Amtrak Lincoln Service
The Lincoln Service train has a café car offering a variety of meals, snacks, hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages.
The café is open to all passengers for most of the journey but may be closed at the start and end of the route. You’ll typically find the café car toward the end of the train, though its location may vary depending on the train’s direction.
While you can bring food and drinks on board, please do not take them into the café car. Moreover, you’re not permitted to consume personal alcoholic beverages. You may bring them in your luggage, but they should remain in your bag.
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Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Northbound
The Texas Eagle operates daily as Train 22 and three times a week as Train 422. The same train is on this route section, so choose the lowest fare when booking.
Train 318 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | Miles | 300 | 302 | 22/422 | 318* | 306 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | 0 | 4:30a | 6:35a | 8:10a | 2:55p | 5:40p |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | 27 | 5:14a | 7:21a | 8:56a | 3:39p | 6:24p |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | 60 | – | 7:46a | 9:23a | 4:05p | – |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | 99 | 6:11a | 8:22a | 10:03a | 4:46p | 7:24p |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | 128 | 6:36a | 8:44a | 10:29a | 5:08p | 7:46p |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | 160 | 7:06a | 9:16a | 11:08a | 5:35p | 8:17p |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | 192 | 7:31a | 9:42a | 11:38a | 5:59p | 8:46p |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | 210 | – | 9:58a | – | 6:12p | – |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | 247 | 8:24a | 10:39a | 12:48p | 6:46p | 9:35p |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | 272 | 8:49a | 11:04a | – | 7:11p | 10:00p |
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | 284 | 9:25a | 11:40a | 1:44p | 8:00p | 10:43p |
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Southbound Services
The Texas Eagle operates daily as train 21 and three times a week as train 421; choose the lowest fare when making a reservation. They are on the same train for this segment of the route.
Train 319 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | Miles | 301 | 319* | 21/421 | 305 | 307 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | 0 | 7:15a | 9:50a | 1:52p | 5:20p | 7:10p |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | 12 | – | 10:13a | – | 5:42p | 7:32p |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | 37 | 8:12a | 10:40a | 2:47p | 6:10p | 8:00p |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | 74 | – | 11:09a | – | 6:42p | – |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | 92 | – | 11:23a | 3:30p | 6:55p | 8:38p |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | 124 | 9:16a | 11:59a | 4:04p | 7:28p | 9:19p |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | 156 | – | 12:25p | 4:30p | 7:58p | 9:47p |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | 185 | 10:13a | 12:56p | 5:08p | 8:28p | 10:19p |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | 224 | – | 1:33p | 5:37p | 9:09p | – |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | 257 | 11:14a | 1:59p | 6:08p | 9:38p | 11:22p |
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | 284 | 12:01p | 2:51p | 7:07p | 10:23p | 12:09a |
This page is a guide; check with Amtrak or your eticket for exact times. If there are two times, the first is the arrival, and the second is the departure, and if there is only one, it is a quick stop.
Printable Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule
You can use the buttons below to print Amtrak Schedules or print them directly from Amtrak.com. Amtrak not only offers route schedules, but you can also download or print and create custom schedules based on your Amtrak itinerary. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules!
I strive to update these regularly, although it may take some time. Updates occur as Amtrak or other sources provide them. When I checked two schedule sources in April 2025, both had incorrect times..
Safe Travels,
Kev
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