Galesburg

[Shawn]

So, I am going to have a 5 hour layover there in May...is there anything close to the station? Like food? Is the station in an "ok" area? Never been there...

THANKS!

Shawn

 

[Amtrak Watcher]

The small station is downtown. The downtown area is in good shape with lots to do. There are plenty of restaurants ( http://www.seminarystreet.com/landmark/ ) about one or two short blocks to the north of the station.

 

[RailFanLNK]

I recently had a layover in Galesburg and enjoyed it immensly. They still have a downtown that hasn't been ruined by Walmart or Sam's Club. Its a downtown like the 1960's. I spent one hour alone in the cd/record store. Go online and google Galesburg Visitors Bureau and they will send you some free stuff. If I would have had some more time, I was going to look into getting a deep tissue massage but just didn't have enough time for that.

 

[GregL]

My favorite is the Packing House,which is right across the parking lot from the station. It is a restaurant that is an old meat packing plant. They serve both lunch and dinner. About a block and a half away is a large antique store (on Main Street) if you are in to that sort of thing. I really don't think you will have much trouble killing time. Plenty of little shops etc.

Have fun.

GregL

 

[yarrow]

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

 

[Shawn]

Thanks all!

 

[RailFanLNK]

Ronald Reagan was from there as well.

 

[MrFSS]

Ronald Reagan was from there as well.

Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, IL on February 6, 1911, but did live in Galesburg and several other Illinois towns.

 

[heavesrock]

Ronald Reagan was from there as well.

Reagan was actually from Tampico, IL.

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

I'm guessing he is coming from a town farther south on the Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr route and taking that to Galesburg.

 

[Bierboy]

My favorite is the Packing House,which is right across the parking lot from the station. It is a restaurant that is an old meat packing plant. They serve both lunch and dinner. About a block and a half away is a large antique store (on Main Street) if you are in to that sort of thing. I really don't think you will have much trouble killing time. Plenty of little shops etc.Have fun.

GregL

It's a bit pricey, though. I lived in Galesburg for quite a few years....met my wife there (she was born and raised)...got married there...still visit relative there quite a bit. Nice area.

 

[Shawn]

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

I will be on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City, and laying over to catch the California Zephyr to Sacramento. Though, I am guessing I won't have much of a layover, as I am sure the SWC will be late...but we'll see. Just in case it's ontime or close to it, I thought I would get my ducks in a row.

 

[rtabern]

Galesburg is a nice little town... I usually got there once a month. When I am down in Chicago visiting the parents and feel like going on a daytrip, I will often take #381 (Carl Sandburg) out there... and then take #4 (Southwest Chief) back. That usually gives me about a 2-hour layover. During that time, I do a number of things -- just staying at the station and freight train watching can be fun... there is a lot of activity. Another good spot to train watch is a few blocks to the east and south... that is where the BN and Santa Fe lines (now both BNSF) cross. The Packing House is a good place to eat... Chey Luis is also good, a little more upscale. There is also a 3-story antique mall a few blocks away -- they have some RR memorabilia for sale in there.

 

[rtabern]

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

I will be on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City, and laying over to catch the California Zephyr to Sacramento. Though, I am guessing I won't have much of a layover, as I am sure the SWC will be late...but we'll see. Just in case it's ontime or close to it, I thought I would get my ducks in a row.

If everything is running on time, you might want to stay on the SWC and transfer at Princeton, IL... a little less of a lay-over for you!

 

[AlanB]

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

I will be on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City, and laying over to catch the California Zephyr to Sacramento. Though, I am guessing I won't have much of a layover, as I am sure the SWC will be late...but we'll see. Just in case it's ontime or close to it, I thought I would get my ducks in a row.

I sure wouldn't want to bet on the SWC being late. It has one of the better on time records within the Amtrak LD group.

 

[Shawn]

what is your itinerary that you lay over for 5 hours in galesburg? wasn't that carl sandburg's home town? he wrote some wonderful poems in which trains appear.

I will be on the Southwest Chief from Kansas City, and laying over to catch the California Zephyr to Sacramento. Though, I am guessing I won't have much of a layover, as I am sure the SWC will be late...but we'll see. Just in case it's ontime or close to it, I thought I would get my ducks in a row.

I sure wouldn't want to bet on the SWC being late. It has one of the better on time records within the Amtrak LD group.

While I agree with you, the EB also has a good ontime record, but we were over 4 hours late last time I was on it, just due to mechanical problems...