Amtrak Snapshots From New York To Chicago

I had earlier written a similar blog on this but it was about the reverse route, Chicago-New York. (Reference: October 2013 article entitled “Amtrak Snapshots From Chicago To New York")

Although the Amtrak train traverses exactly the same route, I must say that the Chicago-New York ride allows for better views; New York-Chicago is just so-so. Timing could be the main reason. The Chicago-New York train pulls away from the Chicago’s Union Station at 9:30 PM and arrives at New York City’s Penn Station around 6 PM of the next day. Much of the trip therefore is given to enjoying the sights in New York State and by the Hudson River.    

The schedule for the other route (departing NYC at 3 PM and arriving in Chicago at 9 AM) leaves the train cutting through the scenic spots at night time. The train runs by the Hudson River in late afternoon with nothing much to see as yet but as soon as the scenic part of the river starts to unfold, darkness sets in.

At any rate, I still managed to snap some shots and learned something along the way, somehow. 

 

a few minutes after leaving New York City

 

still in New York State, a bridge over Hudson River

 

Somewhere in Albany (I think), they split the train in half;

if I remember it right, the captain said that the first half

goes to Boston and the other half proceeds to Chicago. Since  

we are left without an engine anymore, Amtrak joins another

section with more coaches, reinforced with 2 engines

to take us all the way down to Chicago. 

 

the morning after

typical sights while crossing Ohio and Indiana states;

barns and farmhouses

 

 

cornfields covering a huge expanse also dominate the

landscape of Ohio and Indiana states

country homes like these also dot the other side of the

railroad across the farms; roofs are made of asphalt

shingles, a common feature in American homes 

 

 

a house near the railway intersection at the corner

of a street named what else but Railroad Street;

 I actually like it with its simple and clean lines

Railroad Museum in the City of Elkhart, Indiana just a few

minutes prior to arrival in Chicago 

 

 

We arrived in Chicago at 9 AM for a 6-hour layover, more than enough to catch our Chicago-San Francisco ride via Amtrak's California Zephyr Superliner which departs from Chicago at 3 PM. I am currently collating the photos for my article about California Zephyr. Please watch out for it, there's so much to see. Thanks always.