Historic Steam Train to Pull Trips Out of Union Station, Galesburg, Glen of North Glenview

For the first time in over a decade, a steam-powered passenger excursion will depart downtown Chicago Union Station on June 25th and 26th.

Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 will operate The Galesburg Zephyr between Union Station and Galesburg, IL, for the Galesburg Railroad Days. These all-day, roundtrip excursions will feature vintage passenger cars from the 1940s and 50s and include accommodations in standard coach, deluxe coach, and first class and dome car. Passengers will enjoy a three-hour layover at the festival.

The Galesburg Zephyr, a 16 car excursion train, is a nod to the fleets of passenger trains that the Burlington Route operated “Every Where West” starting in the 1930's. The Burlington Route was an early innovator in diesel locomotives, stainless steel passenger cars and the development of the dome car with superior visibility. This train will carry two vintage dome cars from the 1950’s.

In order to accommodate passengers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, an additional passenger stop will also be made both days at the Amtrak station in Naperville, IL. The trips are being operated in concert with Amtrak and BSNF - a first for the railroad historical society. There will be an Amtrak diesel locomotive on the train, primarily to generate electricity for the lighting and air conditioning on the passenger cars.

“These trips represent our first partnership with Amtrak and BNSF to bring the magic of the 765 to thousands of people,” said Bill Otter, president of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS). “Passengers aboard this trip will be the first to experience the 765 at high-speed in many years.”

Owned and operated by the FWRHS, no. 765 has operated passenger excursions and public exhibitions throughout the Midwest since 1979. The locomotive and train attract passengers from around the world for numerous sell-out excursions throughout the year. No. 765 was originally built in 1944, restored in 1979 and completely rebuilt in 2005 and is maintained by an all-volunteer crew.