Embark on a journey with the Amtrak Lincoln Service, which provides three daily round-trip trains between the bustling city of Chicago, IL, and the heart of St. Louis, MO. The train covers 284 miles, and this scenic route offers a convenient and comfortable travel experience, taking between 4.75 to 5 hours from end to end.
Along the way, you’ll pass through popular stops such as Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, and Alton, each offering unique attractions and local charm.
This article contains everything you need about the Lincoln Service, including the complete schedule, accommodation options, food choices, and more. Whether planning a trip from Chicago to St. Louis or just a short segment, this guide will ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Alternatives to this train
There are two alternatives for the Lincoln Service; check out:
- Texas Eagle – Long-distance train
- Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service – regional train
Amtrak Lincoln Service Seating Accommodations
This train offers two seating options.
Coach Class
Amtrak Lincon Service offers coach seating:
- A fold-down tray
- Individual reading lights,
- 120v electric outlets in some cars have USB chargers.
- You can store your belongings above your seats or under the seat in front of you, and if you have a heavier bag or can’t reach the above seat rack.
- There is an in-car luggage rack.
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
It helps to know what you can do with your luggage before you go!
Checked bag service
The Lincoln Service does not offer a checked bag service.
Carry-on
Each passenger may carry on:
- One personal item, 25 lbs. (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.
Amtrak Lincoln Service add-ons
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 to a station with a pet without reading the pet, service, or support animal rules and regulations.
Food On The Amtrak Lincoln Service
The Lincoln Service train has a cafe car that offers a variety of meals, snacks, and hot, cold, and adult beverages.
The cafe is available for all customers for most of the journey, but it could be closed at the beginning and end of the route.
The cafe car may close at the start and end of the route, and you can find the cafe towards the end of the train, which can vary depending on the direction of the train.
You can bring food and drink onboard the train, but you cannot consume adult beverages you did not purchase onboard.
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Northbound
The Texas Eagle runs daily as train 22 and thrice a week as 422; select the cheapest price when booking. They are on the same train through this section of the route.
Train 318 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | 300 | 302 | 22/422 | 318* | 306 | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | 4:30a | 6:35a | 8:08a | 2:55p | 5:40p | 0 |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | 5:14a | 7:21a | 8:54a | 3:39p | 6:24p | 27 |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | – | 7:46a | 9:18a | 4:05p | – | 60 |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | 6:11a | 8:22a | 9:58a | 4:46p | 7:24p | 99 |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | 6:36a | 8:44a | 10:26a | 5:08p | 7:46p | 128 |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | 7:06a | 9:16a | 11:06a | 5:35p | 8:17p | 160 |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | 7:31a | 9:42a | 11:36a | 5:59p | 8:46p | 192 |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | – | 9:58a | – | 6:12p | – | 210 |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | 8:24a | 10:39a | 12:45p | 6:46p | 9:35p | 247 |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | 8:49a | 11:04a | – | 7:11p | 10:00p | 272 |
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | 9:25a | 11:40a | 1:42p | 8:00p | 10:43p | 284 |
Amtrak Lincoln Service Schedule: Southbound
The Texas Eagle runs daily as train 21 and thrice a week as 421; select the cheapest price when booking. They are on the same train through this section of the route.
Train 319 is the Missouri Runner/Lincoln Service.
| Communities Served | 301 | 319* | 21/421 | 305 | 307 | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) | 7:15a | 9:50a | 1:55p | 5:20p | 7:10p | 0 |
| Summit, IL (SMT) | – | 10:13a | – | 5:42p | 7:32p | 12 |
| Joliet, IL Gateway Center (JOL) | 8:12a | 10:40a | 2:50p | 6:10p | 8:00p | 37 |
| Dwight, IL (DWT) | – | 11:09a | – | 6:42p | – | 74 |
| Pontiac, IL (PON) | – | 11:23a | 3:33p | 6:55p | 8:38p | 92 |
| Bloomington-Normal, IL (BNL) | 9:16a | 11:59a | 4:07p | 7:28p | 9:19p | 124 |
| Lincoln, IL (LCN) | – | 12:25p | 4:33p | 7:58p | 9:47p | 156 |
| Springfield, IL (SPI) | 10:13a | 12:56p | 5:11p | 8:28p | 10:19p | 185 |
| Carlinville, IL (CRV) | – | 1:33p | 5:40p | 9:09p | – | 224 |
| Alton, IL (ALN) | 11:14a | 1:59p | 6:11p | 9:38p | 11:22p | 257 |
| St. Louis, MO Gateway Station (STL) | 12:01p | 2:51p | 7:11p | 10:23p | 12:09a | 284 |
This page is a guide; check with Amtrak or your eticket for exact times. If there are two times, the first is the arrival, 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 shields based on your Amtrak itinerary. Learn how to print Amtrak schedules!
I aim to keep these updated as much as possible, which can take a little time.
Safe Travels,
Kev
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