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Former Santa Fe Streator depot upgraded
Wish the Southwest Chief had stayed on this route. It doesn’t belong on the former CB&Q. Having the Joliet stop made for great connections with the Texas Eagle & Lincoln Service. The extra service to Princeton & Mendota’s a moot point since the California Zephyr stops there within an hour of the Southwest Chief.
It is good to hear that this small but interesting depot is receiving some attenton and repair. It has a number of distinctive Santa Fe features. At one time Streator was quite the railroad town and it is still worth a visit.
Back when I was growing up here in Streator in the 50’s, there was 2-Santa Fe lines, 2 G.M. & O. lines, 2- C.B. & Q. lines, a Wabash line & a NYC line. Both the Santa Fe and the C.B, &Q. had extensive facilities here including two round houses. It has been a favorite place for model railroaders to base their layouts on. I saw them working on the depot. I wish they would build a metal building & donate the depot to the museum.
It would also help the Peoria area to have an Amtrak train go on that route through Chillicothe.
I was there to see the last nearly all-ATSF “Southwest Chiefs” go through in July 1996. It IS an interesting depot with solid wood benches and some stainless upgrades at the ticket counter from the 1960s. Streator used to have a sign east of town proudly proclaiming: “An Amtrak Community.” Great sign and small-town pride. I agree with Christian that the Chief should’ve stayed on its ex-ATSF routing to Galesburg. And I agree with David that it is still worth a visit. Santa Fe used to advertise in National Geographic showing of their Hi-Level cars and proclaiming the excitement was “felt in Streator.”
I was there to see the last nearly all-ATSF “Southwest Chiefs” go through in July 1996. It IS an interesting depot with solid wood benches and some stainless upgrades at the ticket counter from the 1960s. Streator used to have a sign east of town proudly proclaiming: “An Amtrak Community.” Great sign and small-town pride. I agree with Christian that the Chief should’ve stayed on its ex-ATSF routing to Galesburg. And I agree with David that it is still worth a visit. Santa Fe used to advertise in National Geographic showing of their Hi-Level cars and proclaiming the excitement was “felt in Streator.”
Glad to read this. Streator is a wonderful small town who had signs stating: “Proud to be an Amtrak Community” through the re-routing of the SW Chief in july 1996. Santa Fe featured Streator in their print advertising for their then-new Hi-level cars in the late 1950s. I was there to see the final all-ATSF route SW Chief back in 1996. It was a mistake to re-route to the ex-CB&Q.
Too bad the Southwest Chief was rerouted in the first place.
They did a real quality job on maintaining the Streator station.
Now my closest connection w/ Amtrak is Dwight, Il. and they do not have an interior station. The old C & A station there is used by the local city government.